As the temperature drops drastically during the winter months of Ladakh, members of the Ladakh Mountain Guide Association are out of their comfort zones and busy preparing an ice wall at Gangles for the upcoming 4th Ladakh Ice climbing festival in February 2023.  

Ladakh Ice Climbing Festival aims to bring a diverse community together to celebrate the life sport of Ice Climbing in the Himalayas. Braving the bone-chilling cold winds, LMGA starts their work at 5:00 Am. They channel the water from the stream and the tumbling waterfall freezes and cover a steep slope in a sheet of ice. The dull valley of Gangles is turned into climbing dreams where an ice axe, crampons, and young talents take the climbing to another level. 

Talking about the work and whole processes, LMGA, President, Skalzang Rigzin said, “We started work in December and all the members are working tirelessly. The members are divided into a group of 6 members each and work on a rotational basis. It’s a stretch of 6 km from the mainstream to the place where Ice Mountain is being formed. We are working on the maintenance of these water streams, and repair work is done wherever it’s necessary. Laying plastic in the same to prevent water seepage is very important which is what we are working on as well”. 

 “It’s been an arduous journey with the cold weather. Our work starts at 5 am every morning and till 11 am and in the evening it starts at 5 pm and till 10 pm. The tent has been set up and meals are being prepared on our own. Around 80 members are actively working which include women too”, he added.

The 4th edition of the Ice climbing festival is going to take place in Gangles Leh from 1st- 5th February 2023. The event will include Ice Climbing and host competitions. Climbing gear, instructions will be provided to all the participants. The event is open to all the mountain enthusiasts from beginners to experience as well as outdoor adventure lovers.  The ice climbing park is open and free of cost to everyone during the festivals.The festival is organised to promote Ladakh as a hub of adventure sports and boost winter tourism.

Members of LMGA are also concerned about climate change. With this festival, the members of LMGA also want to spread the message of the importance of glaciers, the fragile ecosystem of Ladakh, and sustainable living. Tsewang Namgyal, Member LMGA said, “The glacier prepared for the ice climbing festival lasts up to April, thus water from this artificial glacier is useful for farming activities in springtime.”

LMGA states that the Ice Climbing sport is slowly gaining popularity in the world and will gain its foothold in Olympics eventually. They aim to make people aware of this sport and let their kids take participate in it. 

Winter in Ladakh is harsh but the region offers ample scope and opportunities for winter sports like ice skating, snow ski, Ice hockey, snow and ice sculptures, frozen river trek, ice climbing, and many more. Youths of Ladakh are equally striving hard to promote these sports and many participated at international levels. 

“Ladakhi is already adapted to cold temperatures living in such high altitude areas, so they already have the strength and stamina to excel in this sport. We have started the Ice Climbing festival with the hope that people will learn about this, participate in international games and win medals for India. Also, we aim to promote winter sports in Ladakh”, Rigzin added.
There is no dearth of talent among the youths of Ladakh; the only thing needed is financial support, infrastructure, equipment, and all kinds of support at all levels.  

 LMGA said that in the beginning they hardly got any support, but that didn’t stop them from working. They worked hard with the right intention and enthusiasm and with the help of many volunteers today they are all set to organise the 4th edition of the festival.

They expressed their gratitude to the Department of Youth Services and Sports, Leh for financial support and to the villagers of Gangles and Gompa for providing space for the festival. Also, Upper Leh Councilor Stanzin Tsepak; Thiksay Councilor, Stanzin Chospel, and Basgo Councillor, Tsering Norboo for donating ₹1 Lakh each. 

Ladakh Mountain Guides Association was formed in the year 2017 and got registered under Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 in 2021.  The association is formed to train, educate, regulate and represent the interest of the mountain guiding profession.
Photo Caption: Members of LMGA channelizing the water from the stream to cover a steep slope in a sheet of ice.