December 13: An iron path has been constructed along the route of Jugal mountain range for the first time in Nepal. Iron path is famous in Europe as a protected climbing route mostly found in Alps and certain other areas.

The iron path has been built with an investment of Rs 3 million from the budget allocated for the Great Himalaya Trail. Iron has been inserted into the rocks and hills from the base camp of Mount Jugal to make the path.

Tulsing Gurung, an international mountain guide, said that the iron path has been opened on the route of Jugal mountain range for adventurous tourists and mountain tourism. Gurung added that the iron path is famous in Europe for the rock climbing.

“Iron path has been constructed for the first time in Nepal. This will aid in the adventure tourism of Nepal,” said Gurung adding, “The path has been constructed in the route of Jugal Himal near Kathmandu. This will help directly with mountain climbing.” A 10-member team of Gurung constructed the iron path in 20 days.

Despite Mount Himal being in close proximity with Kathmandu, the mountain has not been able to get proper publicity. The path to reach the base camp of the mountain used to be unsafe. Gurung now believes that the construction of an iron path would help people travel the difficult terrain with ease.

According to the Nepal Tourism Board, there are 11 peaks in the Jugal mountain range including the Gyalzen peak. Among them, there are 8 peaks with elevations from 6,256 m to 6,966 m above the sea level. The 6,151-meter-high Gyalzen Peak was successfully climbed for the first time on 9th April, 2019, under the leadership of Maya Gurung. The second ascent to the Gyalzen Peak was under the leadership of climber Sharmila Lama on 19th October, 2020 with a team of 7 climbers. Climber Maya Gurung said that it is possible to climb Gyalzen Peak in less time and at a low cost. Nepalese are required to pay Rs 4,000 and foreigners $ 250 to get permission for climbing the mountain. Climbers who want to climb mountains below 8,000 mters can choose this peak for climbing.

“We want to seek for the possibilities of tourism and increase employment as well as income,” said climber Gurung adding, “Now there will be an increase in the number of tourists arriving here for climbing the Jugal Himal after the construction of the iron path.” She believes that if the Jugal mountain range can be promoted, there will be creation of employment opportunities for trade and hotel business, which would lead to the development of the region.

There is a provision that states that the climbers need to climb mountains higher than 6000 m before climbing Mt. Everest, said Hom Narayan Shrestha, chairman of the rural municipality. He said that the climbers have been choosing Jugal Himal for that purpose.

“But climbers say that it is very difficult to climb this mountain,” he said, adding, “We believe that there would be an increase in the number of adventurous tourists after the construction of the iron path”.

Since Jugal Himal is the nearest mountain to the capital city in addition to being ascended by fewer people, it has been found that climbers are attracted towards this mountain, says tourism entrepreneur Milan Lama.