Mt. Ashutosh Ri 6040m

An Expedition in Memory of a Friend

Some mountains are climbed for achievement. Some are climbed for adventure. And some are climbed for someone who can no longer stand beside you.

This expedition was one of those special journeys.

In memory of our dear friend Ashutosh, who tragically lost his life while climbing Friendship Peak, the White Expedition team decided to climb an unnamed 6040m trekking peak near Korzok, Ladakh, and dedicate it to him. After reaching the summit, we named the peak Mt. Ashutosh Ri — 6040m, keeping his memory alive in the mountains he loved.

What made this expedition even more emotional was that Ashutosh’s sister and one of his close friends were also part of the expedition. Together with the White Expedition team, we were a group of nine — seven members from White Expedition and two people who had come to be part of this deeply personal journey.

Acclimatisation in Leh

On 3 and 4 August, we stayed in Leh for acclimatisation. Ashutosh’s sister and friend were travelling from Shimla, so we deliberately kept these days for them to adjust to the altitude before heading deeper into Ladakh.

These two days were not just about acclimatisation. There was also a quiet sense of anticipation among the team. Everyone knew that this was going to be more than a normal expedition.

Journey to Korzok

On 5 August, we drove from Leh towards Korzok.

After reaching Korzok, we spent the evening on a short acclimatisation walk around the area. The landscape was vast and silent, surrounded by the high mountains of Ladakh. We used the evening to prepare ourselves physically and mentally for the following day’s climb.

Summit Day — 6 August

We started early on 6 August.

From Korzok, we first drove towards the trailhead and reached an altitude of around 5,000m, where we began our trek.

From there, the route gradually climbed higher towards the unnamed peak. The altitude made every step demanding, but the purpose behind the climb gave everyone extra strength.

After approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes of climbing, we finally reached the summit at 6040m.

And then came the moment none of us will ever forget.

Standing together on the summit, surrounded by the immense mountains of Ladakh, we realised that we had not simply climbed another 6000m peak.

We had brought someone with us.

There were tears, hugs and silence. Ashutosh’s sister stood on the summit where her brother could never return. His friend stood beside her. The entire team was overwhelmed with emotion.

For a few moments, nobody spoke.

We simply stood there remembering him.

Mt. Ashutosh Ri — 6040m

An unnamed mountain had just received a name.

Mt. Ashutosh Ri — 6040m.

The name is our tribute to Ashutosh — a reminder that although he is no longer physically with us, his memory will continue to exist among these mountains.

Every time someone looks towards this summit, we hope they remember the story behind its name.

This was not a summit for records.

It was not about speed.

It was not about numbers.

It was about friendship, remembrance and keeping someone’s spirit alive through the mountains.

The White Expedition team is proud to have been part of this journey and to have shared such an emotional summit with Ashutosh’s sister and friend.

Some summits stay in your climbing log.

Some stay in your heart forever.

Mt. Ashutosh Ri — 6040m.

Climbed in memory of a friend. Remembered forever in the mountains.

— White Expedition