Punjab trekker dies at Stok glacier in Leh

A 28-year old man, an adventurer from Punjab, died while climbing Stok Glacier, which is 20,000 feet above sea level, in Leh, Ladakh on July 17, according to Leh police. The deceased has been identified as Rajender Singh from Gurdaspur district and was travelling in the Himalayas from last two months, police added. 

“The body of the deceased was brought to SNM hospital in Leh on July 19 by a team of police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). The personnel brought the body from the glacier to the base camp which is at a distance of 20 km, on foot,” said a police official. According to reports, Singh had no climbing guide nor had proper climbing clothes and equipment. He was seen starting his trek from the base camp of the glacier on the night of July 16. A trekking group which was returning back to the base crossed Singh when he was scaling the glacier on July 17. But on the evening of that day, another trekking group going up found the severely damaged dead body lying near the summit and informed the police.

Stok Glacier (locally known as Stok Kangri), situated at the south of Leh, is the highest peak of the Zanskar range. It is popular amongst mountaineers for its relatively uncomplicated and undemanding climb although several climbers have died in the last few years.

“Authorities should make sure that the trekkers without proper equipment are not allowed to climb. But what this incident shows is how ill-prepared and ill-equipped the SDRF is. They responded after a long time and the stretcher that they had brought was not suitable for narrow trails of the glacier,” said Stanzin Desal, a climbing guide.