A First Ascent in the Kangchenjunga Region

October 17, 2025 Angela Benavides Himalaya | Nepal

three climbers squat on a snowy summit. — Summit photo atop Pathibhara. Photo: Xtreme Climbers

A five-man team has made the first ascent of 6,868m Mt. Pathibhara in the Kangchenjunga region. The area had opened to climbing only this year.

Lakpa Chhiri Sherpa led the team of four Nepalese and one Chilean. It included Lhakpa Chhiring Sherpa, Kunga Gyaju Sherpa, and Pema Tasi Tamang, as well as Hernan Leal of Chile.

Tents in front of a snowy peak, with a climbing route marked in red.

Route topo provided by the Pathibhara team. Photo: Lakpa C. Sherpa

They climbed from the southeast side of the mountain, reportedly moving on ice, mixed rock, and steep snow faces, according to their outfitter, Xtreme Climbers Treks & Expeditions. They summited on October 14 at 1:50 pm local time.

Angela Benavides

Angela Benavides graduated university in journalism and specializes in high-altitude mountaineering and expedition news. She has been writing about climbing and mountaineering, adventure and outdoor sports for 20+ years.

Prior to that, Angela Benavides spent time at/worked at a number of local and international media. She is also experienced in outdoor-sport consultancy for sponsoring corporations, press manager and communication executive, and a published author.

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