Proud to be a Sikkimese: Sikkim Travel, Culture & Local Heritage

Sonam Gyatso is the second Indian and the first Sikkimese to climb Mount Everest. He was part of the first successful Indian Everest Expeditions that climbed Mount Everest in May 1965. He then held the record for the oldest person (aged 42) to reach the Summit and also for the longest time (50 min) spent at the peak without an oxygen supply. In the same year, the Indian government honoured his achievement with the Padma Bhushan. He was also honoured with Padma Shri and Arjuna Award. Gyatso is the only Sikkimese to feature in an Indian stamp. He established Sonam Gyatso Mountaineering Institute (SGMI), a mountaineering school in Gangtok.

Gangtok, November 13 : Sonam Gyatso Mountaineering Institute (SGMI) will lead the first independent expedition to climb Mount Everest (8848m) in spring 2008. Second round selection of the team has already begun from Monday for which team will leave institute for the final selection to be held under alpine condition in North Sikkim. This is the first time in the 43 years old history of the Institute to organize an independent climb while some of the instructors have already scaled the peak with other teams. The final expedition for Everest will be flagged off in the spring season of next year with 15 members and five additional climbing support staff. The team will be led by G.T. Bhutia, the principal of the institute. The team is expected to scale the peak from the North Col ridge of China, which is considered to be a difficult climb.  http://www.haalkhabar.com/