Historic Harmukh Massif Summit Marks Major Achievement for Local Mountaineer Waseem Hassan Rather

Baramulla :  A historic mountaineering expedition in the Harmukh Massif concluded successfully after a team led by Waseem Hassan Rather, Director of HTT Adventures (ATO) and a member of the All Jammu & Kashmir Mountaineering Foundation, completed its planned climbing objectives between 25 June and 1 July 2026.
The expedition began from Kadura Village on 25 June, with the team trekking through alpine valleys to establish Base Camp in the Harmukh Massif region. On 26 June, adverse weather conditions, poor visibility and unstable mountain terrain forced the team to remain at Base Camp. Rather than pushing higher, the day was utilized for acclimatization, equipment inspection, rope preparation, route planning and safety briefings. According to the expedition leader, the decision to wait for improved conditions proved critical to the expedition’s eventual success.
On 27 June, the team established an Advance Camp below Station Peak. The following day, they successfully climbed Station Peak and traversed Liyaqat Ridge before returning to Advance Camp. On 29 June, the summit team moved towards Summit Camp and successfully climbed the Northern Peak before returning safely to camp.
The main summit push took place on 30 June, when the team successfully climbed both the Harmukh Main Summit and the Eastern Summit. After completing the ascent, the climbers descended back to Base Camp, arriving safely at 10:38 PM.
The expedition concluded on 1 July with the team’s return trek from Base Camp to Kadura Village.
Following the ascent of Station Peak, three expedition members — Chandan Pal, Yawar Aslam and Muraad Khursheed — decided not to continue towards the higher summits. After assessing their physical condition and discussing the risks involved, they chose to descend safely to Base Camp. Their decision reflected the expedition’s strong commitment to responsible mountaineering, where safety takes precedence over summit objectives.
The summit team, consisting of Waseem Hassan Rather and supported by high-altitude porters Liyaqat Ahmad and Tariq Ahmad Lone, continued towards the upper Harmukh Glacier and established a Summit Camp at nearly 5,000 metres.
Managing Director of All Jammu & Kashmir Mountaineering Foundation, Danish Dhaar, congratulated all team members, especially Waseem Hassan Rather, for the historic summit achievement and praised the expedition for its discipline, teamwork and commitment to safety.
With this expedition, Waseem Hassan Rather completed the remaining major objectives of the Harmukh Massif, including the Eastern Peak, Harmukh Main Summit, Northern Peak and Station Peak. He had previously climbed the Western Peak during a 2024 expedition, meaning he has now successfully climbed all the major peaks of the Harmukh Massif across multiple expeditions.
The achievement is being regarded as a historic milestone in the mountaineering history of the region.
Expedition Team
Expedition Leader
Waseem Hassan Rather
Station Peak Team
Chandan Pal
Yawar Aslam
Muraad Khursheed
High-Altitude Porters
Liyaqat Ahmad
Tariq Ahmad Lone
Pony Support
Zahoor Ahmad
Following the expedition, Waseem Hassan Rather said:
“The mountains always demand respect. This expedition reminded us that patience, teamwork and sound judgment are more important than reaching any summit. Every member made the right decisions according to the conditions, and that is what defines a successful expedition. Completing all the major peaks of the Harmukh Massif has been a long-term goal, and I am grateful to everyone who supported this journey.”
The expedition also highlighted the growing capabilities of local mountaineers and the increasing potential of Kashmir as a destination for technical alpine climbing. Harmukh has drawn climbers since the 19th century, and this latest ascent adds another historic chapter to the mountain’s long mountaineering legacy.