Mugu, 30 Oct: The first successful ascent of Mt Koiki, located in Mugum Karmarong Rural Municipality-2, has been achieved. A team of five climbers, comprising four Austrians and one German, successfully scaled the mountain on Kartik 3 (around mid-October). The successful climbers are Erwin Paul Wismann, Valentin Mak, Sandro Franz Kanduth, and Gregor Pribening from Austria, and Stefan Lieb Lind from Germany.
The successful ascent of the 6,169-meter-high Mt Koiki has excited the residents of Mugum Karmarong. “We are happy with the news that a person has reached the summit of this mountain, which lies right in front of our village, for the first time,” said local Tundul Tamang, adding, “No local who goes to the base for pasturing ‘Chauri’ (a hybrid of yak and cow) and yaks had ever been heard of or seen climbing this mountain. Now it seems that other climbers will also come to scale this mountain.”
It has been reported that the first-time ascent was organized by Region Trek Pvt. Ltd., with the team of four Austrian and one German climber. Karma Tamang, the former ward chairman of Mugum Karmarong Rural Municipality-2, said, “The successful ascent of Mt Koiki has increased the tourism potential not only for Mugu but for the entire country. It is now essential that the government and concerned bodies focus on promoting this area.”
Climbers Marvel at the Pristine Beauty of Mt Koiki
One of the successful climbers of the mountain, 28-year-old Austrian citizen Sandro (likely Sandro Franz Kanduth), said, “I have climbed many mountains in the world, but standing on Mt Koiki was a different feeling. This mountain is clean, peaceful, and beautiful. There is no litter anywhere; there is freshness in the air. I was feeling such natural purity for the first time.” He mentioned that the love and hospitality of the locals here impressed him and that he would inspire his friends back in his country to climb this mountain. “If this place gets more promotion, hundreds of foreign tourists like me will come here,” he said.
According to Pasang Sherpa, a guide from Region Trek Pvt. Ltd., there were no major difficulties while climbing Mt Koiki. The weather was favorable, the trail was delightful, and the scenery was amazing. Compared to other mountains, the journey here was easy and memorable.
He says, “The foreign climbers were extremely excited. Even while returning, they kept saying, ‘We will come back.’ We did not face any difficulties on the way to Mt Koiki.” Tourism entrepreneur Raju Karki suggests that with a focus on promotion following the first successful ascent, Mt Koiki can become another tourism potential for Mugu.
How to Reach Mt Koiki
By Air: Travel to Nepalgunj by air or road. From Nepalgunj, one can take a approximately 35-minute flight to Rara Airport. From Rara Airport, it’s a 15-20 minute jeep ride to the district headquarters, Gamgadhi.
By Land: For those traveling overland, from Nepalgunj or Kohalpur, one can take a bus via Surkhet, Dailekh, and Kalikot. On the first day, reach Mannma or Nagma. Then, on the second day, starting early in the morning via Gothi Jhula or Bulbule of Jumla, one can reach Gamgadhi by afternoon.
The Trek: Stay overnight there. The next morning, proceed through Chhayal Bazaar, Magri Village, and Dhungedhara Bazaar of Mugum Karmarong Rural Municipality. Passing through Rius Bagar or Pulu Bazaar, Ladegaad, and Chitai Bagar, one can reach Mugum Village on the evening of the third day.
Base Camp: On the fourth day, start early from Mugum Village via the Patan area. On the fifth day, one can reach the base camp of the mountain, located at an altitude of 4,600 meters above sea level.
