Andhra Pradesh Mountaineer Summits Cho Oyu, Cementing His Place Among India’s High-Altitude Legends

New Delhi, October 14, 2025:

Bharath Thammineni, a 36-year-old mountaineer from Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, has etched his name in the annals of Indian mountaineering history by becoming the first Indian to successfully climb nine of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks. On Monday, October 14, at 6:55 a.m. China time, Thammineni reached the summit of Cho Oyu (8,188 metres), the sixth-highest peak in the world, marking another milestone in his decade-long pursuit of the planet’s tallest mountains.

Founder of Boots & Crampons, one of India’s premier mountaineering organizations, Thammineni has now completed nine out of the fourteen “eight-thousanders.” The Cho Oyu climb, executed as a self-supported expedition with base camp assistance from Nepal-based Climbalaya, reinforces his status as one of India’s most accomplished high-altitude mountaineers.

Reflecting on the achievement, Thammineni said,
“This climb is more than a personal milestone. It is a tribute to every Indian mountaineer who dreams of scaling the world’s highest peaks. I dedicate this achievement to my family, friends, my team at Boots & Crampons, and the spirit of India that continues to inspire me on every summit.”

Over the years, Thammineni has earned recognition as a seasoned expedition leader and mentor, guiding teams across six continents. Under his leadership, the Everest 2025 Expedition recorded several historic accomplishments — including Angmo becoming the world’s first blind woman to summit Mount Everest, and Karthikey becoming the youngest Indian to complete the Seven Summits Challenge.

Timeline of Bharath Thammineni’s Nine 8,000-Metre Summits:

• Mount Everest (8,848 m) – May 2017
• Manaslu (8,163 m) – September 2018
• Lhotse (8,516 m) – May 2019
• Annapurna I (8,091 m) – March 2022
• Kangchenjunga (8,586 m) – April 2022
• Makalu (8,485 m) – May 2023
• Shishapangma (8,027 m) – October 2024
• Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) – April 2025
• Cho Oyu (8,188 m) – October 2025

By achieving these nine formidable ascents, Bharath Thammineni has not only elevated Indian mountaineering to new heights but also carried the tricolor to some of the most challenging and remote peaks on Earth, establishing himself as a true trailblazer in high-altitude climbing.