Mountaineer from Andhra Pradesh Conquers Cho Oyu, Achieves Historic Feat in Indian Mountaineering
Bharath Thammineni, a 36-year-old mountaineer from Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, has etched his name in history by becoming the first Indian to successfully summit nine of the world’s fourteen 8,000-metre peaks. His latest triumph came on October 14, when he reached the summit of Cho Oyu (8,188 metres) — the world’s sixth-highest mountain — at 6:55 a.m. (China time), marking a monumental moment in Indian adventure sports.
Founder of Boots & Crampons, one of India’s leading mountaineering organisations, Thammineni’s successful ascent of Cho Oyu — completed through a self-supported expedition with base camp support from Nepal-based Climbalaya — cements his legacy as one of India’s most accomplished high-altitude climbers. With this achievement, he joins the ranks of elite global mountaineers who have scaled multiple “eight-thousanders,” mountains towering above 8,000 metres.
Reflecting on his latest achievement, Thammineni shared,
“This climb is not just a personal milestone — it’s a tribute to every Indian mountaineer who dreams of touching the sky. I dedicate this success to my family, my friends, my team at Boots & Crampons, and the indomitable spirit of India that fuels me on every summit.”
Over the past decade, Thammineni has emerged as a trailblazer in Indian mountaineering — not just as a climber, but also as a mentor and expedition leader. His leadership of the Everest 2025 Expedition marked several firsts, including Angmo’s record as the world’s first blind woman to summit Mount Everest, and Karthikey’s achievement as the youngest Indian to complete the Seven Summits challenge.
Bharath Thammineni’s Journey Across the World’s Highest Peaks
- Mount Everest (8,848 m) – May 2017
- Manaslu (8,163 m) – September 2018
- Lhotse (8,516 m) – May 2019
- Annapurna I (8,091 m) – March 2022
- Kangchenjunga (8,586 m) – April 2022
- Makalu (8,485 m) – May 2023
- Shishapangma (8,027 m) – October 2024
- Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) – April 2025
- Cho Oyu (8,188 m) – October 2025
With these nine formidable climbs, Bharath Thammineni stands as a symbol of India’s growing presence in global mountaineering, embodying courage, endurance, and unwavering determination. His relentless pursuit of the world’s tallest peaks continues to inspire a new generation of Indian adventurers — and reminds the world that the tricolour belongs at the highest summits on Earth.
