Kathmandu ( Undated). In this post monsoon season, three young Japanese climbers, Mr. GOTO Kisuke, Mr. KAGAMI Taichi, and Mr. ADACHI Masaki, attempted to climb Phungi (6,524m), an unclimbed peak in the Manang district of western Nepal.

This was a long-awaited challenge they had been preparing for three years, including the two years stranding due to Covid-19.

Unfortunately, their challenge ended at 6,150m, but their daring attempt to climb a mountain with no other footprints yet gives us the courage to try.

Their climb was part of the “Himalaya Camp”, a project to commemorate the 120th anniversary of The Japanese Alpine Club in 2025.

The Japanese Alpine Club is the oldest mountain club in Japan, founded in 1905, the year the first eight Nepali students returned from Japan.

“Study in Japan” and “mountain” are both important keywords that connect Japan and Nepal, and we feel a connection to the fact that their beginnings are just around the same time.

The program was initiated to give young mountaineers the opportunity to gain experience in Himalayan mountaineering and pass on the knowledge and skills.

We believe that the challenge for Phungi has given these three climbers many valuable experiences that they could not have gained in Japan.

We heartily welcome them back safely and look forward to the day when they, and other Japanese climbers inspired by them, will visit Nepal and challenge the Himalayas again.

# Undated Press note issued by the Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu: Upadhyaya. N. P.