KATHMANDU: The Korean Alpine Federation team received a warm welcome in Kathmandu upon their arrival from the Kanchenjunga region after making a historic first ascent of Sat Peak this evening.

Team leader An Chi Young, 49, Lee Euijoon, 25, and Baek Jongmin, 53, reached the summit at 3:15 p.m. on May 2, becoming the first team to scale Sat Peak, situated at an altitude of 6,220m. The team climbed the mountain in alpine style.

"This is a historic summit and it truly marks the essence of alpinism," said Kim Migon, Vice President of the KAF, welcoming the team in Kathmandu. Kim also arrived here from South Korea to receive the victorious team in Kathmandu.

Ram Krishna Lamichhane, Director General at the Department of Tourism, congratulated the team for their success on Sat Peak. “This ascent will inspire others to explore more virgin peaks in Nepal,” he said.

The team completed the mission in just 29 days despite facing harsh weather conditions, snowfall, wind, and technical slopes on the never-climbed mountain, said team leader An Chi Young.

"We feel very happy to share the good news and show the world that alpinism is still alive," the expedition leader added.

Ngawa Nima Sherpa, Managing Director at Sora Adventure Treks and Expedition, which organised and handled the expedition, said that exploration of Sat Peak by the KAF team would mean a lot for promoting adventure tourism in the country.

The team climbed in alpine style — without guides — approaching via the Taplejung–Ghunsa–Lonak–Tshima Glacier–Base Camp route, a caravan spanning approximately 6.3 km from base camp to summit in the remote Janak Himal range of Taplejung district, Ngawa Nima, who is also the liaison officer of KAF in Nepal, added.

"Their achievement not only opens a new chapter in Himalayan exploration but also strengthens the bond between Nepal and Korea in the world of adventure," Phur Gelje Sherpa, President of Nepal Mountaineering Association, said.