Army Mountaineering Expedition summits Mt Khangchengyao in North Sikkim

Kolkata: The Indian Army’s mountaineering expedition from the Eastern Command’s Spear Corps successfully summited Mt Khangchengyao in North Sikkim on Friday, September 18, 2026.

The expedition had been flagged off on August 18, 2026, from Rayang Military Station in Arunachal Pradesh. Mt Khangchengyao, at 6,889 metres, is considered an extremely challenging mountain to climb. It has steep ice walls and unpredictable weather conditions.

Mt Khangchengyao is the fourth-highest peak in Sikkim and the tenth-highest in India. In this part of the Himalayan region, locals identify most of the mountains, especially the high peaks, as deities. Peaks are also differentiated by gender. Locals deeply revere Mt Khangchengyao, identifying it as a male mountain. Local legend holds that it gets angry when a woman sets foot near it, and folklore suggests the weather worsens whenever a woman climber approaches the base camp.

The mountain has a unique dome-shaped structure without a pointed peak. Its nearly rounded top tapers down its sides at 75–80 degree angles, making climbing extremely difficult.

Officials said such expeditions help build teamwork and camaraderie among troops while also training them to handle challenges in extreme conditions.

“Under the aegis of Eastern Command, the Indian Army Mountaineering Expedition team under Spear Corps displayed exceptional courage and successfully summited Mt Khangchengyao (6,889 m), achieving a historic milestone. Defying sub-zero temperatures, treacherous terrain and punishing high altitudes, the team triumphed through sheer physical endurance and flawless camaraderie. This monumental ascent stands as a soaring testament to the indomitable spirit of the Indian Army, proving once again that no height is insurmountable when met with relentless resolve,” the Eastern Command posted on X.

The Spear Corps, also known as III Corps, is a Mountain (Holding) Corps with troops trained in high-altitude operations. It is headquartered in Dimapur, Nagaland, and is involved in counter-insurgency operations in the northeastern states. It also plays a major role in managing the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. The Corps also participated in the famous Battle of Walong during the Indo-China War of 1962.

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