ISLAMABAD : A six-member Indonesian mountaineering team has successfully scaled the dangerous vertical Trango Towers in Skardu as part of Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day celebrations, becoming the first Asian climbers to achieve this feat.
The announcement was made by Indonesia’s Chargé d’Affaires Rahmat Hindiarta Kusuma during a press conference at the Indonesian Embassy on Tuesday, where he highlighted that the achievement symbolizes people-to-people connectivity between Pakistan and Indonesia. “Conquering the Towers symbolizes the strong bilateral relationship.”
Major General (R) Mr. Asrobudi, Advisor of the Indonesia Big Wall Expedition (IBEX) and his team climbers Freden Sembiring, Team Leader , members Deden Wahyudin, Iqbal Kemal, Nazib Fadlullah, Iqbal Ramadhan, and Asep Tatang were also present at this occasion. They shared their experiences about the venture and also spoke highly about Pakistani cooperation and hospitality.
The team leader shared , “Conquering Trango Tower has been a long-standing dream of ours. We’re so grateful to have succeeded! Although one of us was hit by a rock and required treatment, the expedition has successfully reached its summit.”
Mr. Rahmat highlighted the potential for mutual exchange in adventure sports, noting that Indonesia excels in sport climbing while Pakistan offers world-class mountaineering experiences.
He also pointed out that Pakistan is the largest recipient of Indonesian educational scholarships, and in 2023, over 14,261 Pakistani tourists were granted visas to Indonesia. The Indonesian team is the first from Asia to summit the 6,251-foot vertical rock complex.
The Indonesian climbers, led by mountaineer Faredin Simbareng, faced severe challenges during their expedition, with some members sustaining injuries but continuing with determination. They expressed their intent to return to Pakistan next year for another mountaineering mission.
The successful ascent of the 6,251-metre Trango Towers is being celebrated as a milestone in strengthening cultural and people-to-people relations between the two nations.
The young climbers from IBEX Indonesia has successfully completed an expedition to the Trango Tower, bringing renewed attention to this towering rock formation in Pakistan. Their achievement has not only highlighted the technical challenges of climbing the world’s highest rocky wall, but also revealed that many in Pakistan were previously unfamiliar with Trango Tower’s significance.
The Trango Tower, located in Pakistan’s Karakoram range, is renowned among the global climbing community for its sheer granite faces and demanding ascent. Despite its international reputation, the site had not received widespread recognition at home until now. The determination and courage of the Indonesian climbers in overcoming one of the most formidable rock walls in the world has sparked both pride and interest among Pakistanis.
The expedition, backed by IBEX Indonesia and supported by their embassy in Islamabad, is being celebrated as a milestone that not only strengthens cultural ties between Indonesia and Pakistan, but also draws attention to Pakistan’s potential as a major destination for adventure tourism. The success of the team is expected to inspire more local and international climbers to explore Pakistan’s awe-inspiring landscapes.
