Siachen thaw: now open to trekkers, first trip next week

As a first step, over 20 people — mostly NCC cadets, students from the Dehradun based Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) and IMA gentlemen cadets — will embark on an expedition to the 16,000 feet high Kumar Post next week.

The Army, which has organised the expedition through its adventure wing, hopes to make such tours to the glacier a regular event from next year, depending on the “response and success of the trek”. Sources confirmed that limited expeditions to the glacier will be organised on a regular basis from next year and even foreigners will be permitted.

“The glacier can become a major tourist attraction. Since the ceasefire agreement with Pakistan, things have been safer and it is possible to hold such activities,” said a senior Army officer.

“The Army will provide boarding, lodging, medical cover and all logistic support for the expedition. Special glacier equipment will be given to trekkers,” the officer said.

While mountaineering expeditions are allowed on the Pakistani side, the Army seems to have taken a cue from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s suggestion of turning the glacier into a “peace mountain”.

India has lost over 2,000 troops on the glacier to enemy fire and hostile weather but there has been no battle casualty since the 2003 ceasefire.