- Odisha Women Mountaineers Scale 20,100-Ft Peak in Historic Expedition
Bhubaneswar, August 16, 2026: A new chapter has been added to Odisha’s mountaineering and adventure sports history as five women members of an 11-member mountaineering team from Odisha successfully scaled the 20,100-ft Mount Yunam in Himachal Pradesh and hoisted the National Flag on August 15, marking Independence Day.
On the occasion of Independence Day, the team also unfurled an 80-metre-long Tricolour at the summit, creating a proud and inspiring moment of patriotism and national pride. Hoisting the Tricolour at such a high altitude was an emotional and memorable moment for the entire team.
The expedition was organised by the Association for Adventure and Social Activities (AASA) with the support of Sanket Communications, one of Odisha’s leading advertising, digital and event management organisations. The expedition commenced from Bhubaneswar on August 7.
Under the guidance of Everest climber Ganesh Jena and the leadership of Anita Swain, the 11-member women’s team embarked on the expedition with the objective of scaling Mount Yunam. Despite the challenging Himalayan terrain, extreme altitude and adverse conditions, the team demonstrated exceptional courage, discipline, determination and team spirit.
Three other members of the team also reached very close to the summit but could not complete the final ascent due to illness.
Team leader Anita Swain said, “Mount Yunam is not just a mountain peak for us; it represents the courage, confidence and determination of the women of Odisha. The successful expedition and its completion with zero accidents is a matter of immense pride for us.”
Ganesh Jena, editor of ‘ASHA’ and an Everest climber, said that the success was made possible by prolonged training, fitness, endurance, altitude acclimatisation and strict mountaineering discipline.
Shubhashish Tripathy, Managing Director of Sanket Communications, said, “This achievement is much more than a mountaineering expedition; it is an inspiring example of women’s empowerment, courage, patriotism and determination. By hoisting the Tricolour atop Mount Yunam, these women have taken the pride of Odisha to the heights of the Himalayas.”
Haresh Kumar Mishra, Vice-President of ‘ASHA’, said, “The success of the Mount Yunam expedition marks the beginning of a new chapter in Odisha’s adventure sports landscape. It will especially inspire women and young people to push their limits and dream bigger.”
The expedition was coordinated by Rakesh Kumar, Joint Secretary of the National Adventure Club, who played a key role in managing the expedition.
The successful ascent of five women to the 20,100-ft Mount Yunam summit, the hoisting of the 80-metre-long Tricolour, and the completion of the expedition with zero accidents mark a proud milestone in Odisha’s women’s mountaineering and adventure sports history.
