January Tali, Hachu Lombo: First Arunachal women to scale 7,077m Mt Kun
Synopsis
Two women from remote districts of Arunachal Pradesh — January Tali from Upper Siang and Hachu Lombo from Dibang Valley — became the first from their state to conquer the 7,077m Mt Kun in Ladakh, with only 4 of 9 climbers making the summit. For Tali, it extends a record that already includes six Himalayan peaks in two weeks.
Key Takeaways
January Tali and Hachu Lombo summited Mt Kun (7,077 metres) at 6 am on 27 July , becoming the first women from Arunachal Pradesh to do so.
Mt Kun is located in the Zanskar range of Ladakh and is regarded as one of India's most technically demanding high-altitude climbs.
Of the nine-member expedition team (excluding Sherpas), only four reached the summit.
January Tali hails from Yingkiong, Upper Siang ; Hachu Lombo is from Anini, Dibang Valley .
Both climbers will receive official summit certificates from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) , New Delhi.
Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen K.T.
Parnaik (Retd) described the feat as 'a moment of immense pride' for the state.
January Tali and Hachu Lombo, two mountaineers from Arunachal Pradesh, have scripted history by becoming the first women from the state to summit Mt Kun — a 7,077-metre peak in the Zanskar range of Ladakh. The duo reached the summit at approximately 6 am on 27 July, officials confirmed on 3 August, marking a landmark moment for high-altitude mountaineering in the northeastern state.
Who Are the Climbers
January Tali hails from Yingkiong in Upper Siang district, while Hachu Lombo belongs to Anini in Dibang Valley district. For Tali, the Mt Kun summit adds to an already formidable mountaineering record — she had previously scaled six Himalayan peaks within two weeks, including double summits of UT Kangri (6,080 metres) and Mentok Kangri-III (6,126 metres), as well as Mentok Kangri-I (6,268 metres) and Mentok Kangri-II (6,218 metres).
The Difficulty of Mt Kun
Mt Kun is widely regarded as one of India's most demanding high-altitude technical climbs, characterised by steep snow-covered slopes, treacherous glaciers, thin air, and highly unpredictable weather. The expedition comprised a mixed team of nine climbers — two women and seven men, excluding Sherpas — of whom only four successfully reached the summit, underscoring the extreme difficulty of the ascent.
Official Recognition and Reaction
Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen K.T. Parnaik (Retd) congratulated the two mountaineers on Sunday, describing the feat as 'a moment of immense pride' for the state. In a statement issued by the Lok Bhavan Secretariat, the Governor said Tali and Lombo 'have etched their names in history by becoming the first women from Arunachal Pradesh to conquer the formidable Mt Kun.' He added that 'their successful ascent reflects extraordinary courage, determination, endurance and mental strength.'
Lt Gen Parnaik further expressed confidence that the achievement would encourage Arunachali youth to embrace physical fitness, adventure sports, and a spirit of perseverance. Both climbers are set to receive official summit certificates from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), New Delhi, in formal recognition of their ascent.
What This Means for Arunachal Pradesh
This is the first time women from Arunachal Pradesh have summited a peak of this altitude and technical grade, placing the state on the national mountaineering map in a new way. Officials and the Governor expressed hope that the achievement would inspire a new generation of climbers — particularly women — from the state to pursue adventure sports and push beyond conventional limits. With both climbers hailing from remote districts of the state, their success also highlights the untapped mountaineering potential of Arunachal Pradesh's youth.
Point of View
In a team where more than half failed to summit, points to exceptional individual resolve rather than institutional support. Arunachal Pradesh has long been mountaineering terrain by geography, but its climbers have rarely received the national visibility that counterparts from Uttarakhand or Himachal Pradesh command. Whether this moment translates into structured state investment in adventure sports — training, equipment, exposure — or remains a one-off headline will be the real test of the Governor's words about inspiration.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are January Tali and Hachu Lombo?
January Tali and Hachu Lombo are mountaineers from Arunachal Pradesh who on 27 July became the first women from their state to summit Mt Kun (7,077 metres) in Ladakh. Tali is from Yingkiong in Upper Siang district and Lombo is from Anini in Dibang Valley district.
Where is Mt Kun and how difficult is it to climb?
Mt Kun is a 7,077-metre peak in the Zanskar range of Ladakh and is considered one of India's most demanding high-altitude technical climbs. Its steep snow slopes, treacherous glaciers, thin air, and unpredictable weather make it formidable — only 4 of the 9-member expedition team reached the summit.
What is January Tali's mountaineering record?
January Tali has previously scaled six Himalayan peaks within two weeks, including UT Kangri (6,080 metres), Mentok Kangri-I (6,268 metres), Mentok Kangri-II (6,218 metres), and double summits of Mentok Kangri-III (6,126 metres). The Mt Kun ascent is her highest summit to date.
Will the climbers receive any official recognition?
Yes. Both January Tali and Hachu Lombo are set to receive official summit certificates from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) in New Delhi in recognition of their successful ascent of Mt Kun.
How did the Arunachal Pradesh government respond?
Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen K.T. Parnaik (Retd) congratulated the two climbers on 3 August, calling the feat 'a moment of immense pride' for the state. He said their achievement 'reflects extraordinary courage, determination, endurance and mental strength' and expressed hope it would inspire Arunachali youth to pursue adventure sports.
