Kashmiri mountaineers achieve documented ascent of Mt Dhakair

Srinagar, Aug  24: In a groundbreaking achievement for Kashmir’s adventure community, three young climbers have completed the first documented ascent of Dhakair Peak, also known as Pir Tikyar (4,660m), an undocumented summit rising deep inside the Pir Panjal range within the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary.

A statement said that on August 7, the team — comprising Yasir Khan (19), Saqib Shafi, and Muzakir Khan — became the first to scale the peak, charting a new alpine ridge route. The climb, marked by technical challenges and exposure, signals a major step for local mountaineering and adventure exploration in the Valley.

The expedition set out on August 5, crossing the rugged Nanga Pahad and Handu Sar Pass before establishing base camp near Beliyan Sar 2 Lake the following day. At dawn on August 7, the climbers launched their summit bid at 5:08 AM, climbing into freezing winds along a sharp, exposed alpine ridge.

After a strenuous two-hour scramble to a col, they confronted a 260-metre vertical rock face, negotiating solid rock under the constant threat of falling debris. With steady progress, the team topped out at 10:24 AM, unfurling the Kashmiri spirit atop the Pir Panjal and spending nearly an hour soaking in sweeping views of the sanctuary’s valleys and distant ranges.

The descent proved equally testing. Using prior map study as their guide, the climbers executed a 150-metre rappel down a steep 70–80° slope, reaching Dhakair Sar Lake safely. The decision, they said, saved them critical hours and energy.

Over the next two days, August 8–9, the team trekked across Bhagsar Pass, exploring remote alpine lakes of Hirpora before concluding their expedition at Peer Ki Gali, exhausted but triumphant.

“This climb showcases Kashmir’s potential in mountaineering,” the trio said in a joint statement. “Documenting this ascent together is a proud moment for our region’s youth.”

Mountaineering experts note that while Kashmir has long been known for trekking and high-altitude expeditions, formally recorded first ascents of undocumented peaks remain rare. The Dhakair success is expected to inspire more young climbers to explore and document the Valley’s unexplored summits.

Local adventure groups have hailed the ascent as a milestone that adds Dhakair Peak to Kashmir’s mountaineering map.