https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

When A Mountain Becomes Bridge Between Two Souls

A mountain peak in Spain is named after an IAS officer of Uttarakhand. It all started with an act of compassion.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Sometimes, a little kindness goes a long way. In this case, it has gone all the way from the hill state of Uttarakhand to Spain- all because of an unselfish, benevolent act of an IAS officer.

It’s a moment of pride for Mr Ashish Chauhan, an additional secretary in Uttarakhand because a mountain peak in Spain has just been named in his honor. Even the route to the treacherous mountain peak, at 2,590 metres, is named as `Via Ashish’. It all started with that one gesture of compassion.

IAS Ashish Chauhan Hoisting The Indian Flag

Let’s begin from the beginning. In 2018, Juan Antonio landed in India. He had come here to conquer Mt.Satopanth,  a majestic peak in the Gangotri region of Garhwal Himalayas, at an altitude of 7075 metres, and which is usually favoured by serious mountaineers for their `pre-Everest’ workout. It was first conquered in August 1947, 15 days prior to India’s Independence by the team led by Andre Roch, noted climber and an avalanche management specialist.

Spanish Mountaineer Juan Antonio On Mt. Satopanth Expedition

The Climb

However, as Antonio started the climb, he realized that Mt. Satopanth had its own plans. If he thought climbing the popular peak would be a stroll in a park, he was in for a rude shock. Because no sooner than he embarked on his climb, difficulties started hitting him with eerie regularity.

Base Camps

 As Juan Antonio told Indian Masterminds (through a telephonic interaction), “It became a near-death experience for me, as after climbing the summit, I fell sick for the second time. It was again altitude sickness. The one I suffered while on the way down to our base camp was a lot more painful and serious. Even after we reached the base camp, my body did not respond to treatment. It was all thanks to a liaison officer who came to our help and escorted us back to the base camp. But my condition had started deteriorating. Everything indicated I would die that night.”

Juan Antonio On Mt. Satopanth Expedition

The Helping Hand

As Juan came out of the base camp, he was met by Mr Ashish Chauhan, who was then the district collector of Uttarkashi. Speaking with Indian Masterminds, Mr Chauhan said that being the DM at that time, he felt that it was his duty to cater to the mountaineers in a proper manner and help them out if necessary. On knowing about Juan Antonio’s perilous condition, the DM spoke to him gently as a friend. It was this encounter, in which Mr Chauhan basically counseled the sick man, which left a deep impression on Juan.

The Spanish tourist felt a lot better after the session with the DM and was profusely thankful to him for his compassion and the humanitarian touch.

A Spanish Peak For Mr Chauhan

On 15th August, India’s Independence Day, Mr Chauhan shared a moving post on his social media account. It was a message from Juan, and it read: “Today me and my friend David Resino have climbed a virgin peak (never climbed) in Spain and I have given a name to the summit, along with the route where we have climbed. We have decided that the top will be called ‘Magistrate’s Point’ and the route will be called, ‘Via Ashish’. In honor of  and in gratitude to you.”

Spain’s virgin peak now named after Mr Ashish Chauhan

Mr Chauhan also shared, in his social media message, the screenshot of a WhatsApp chat with Juan Antonio on Independence Day. It said, “ALMOST FACED DEATH DURING EXPEDITION TO MT. SATOPANTH.’’

The virgin- and as yet unnamed- peak, as well the route now bearing Mr Chauhan’s name, falls in the Gredos mountain range of Spain. The area is called Canales Oscuras.

Canales Oscuras (Virgin Peak) Expedition

After returning to Spain, Juan and the DM remained in touch but not on regular basis. Mr Chauhan said, “Due to the rising Coronavirus cases all over the world, one day I texted him inquiring about his well-being. We had an emotional conversation as he was facing a lot of problems during the pandemic. This is how we connected again.”

Looking back at the events which led to a Spanish peak named after him, Mr Chauhan said, “I feel proud that the good news arrived on our 74th Independence Day. A small conversation filled with compassion and humanity can change a lot of things. As for naming a peak in Spain after me, I feel honoured that India has got this unique honor in a foreign land.’’

Naming the route ‘Via Ashish’

The peak in Spain is named `Magistrate’s point’ since Mr Chauhan was the District Magistrate when he met and provided counseling to the beleaguered and very sick mountaineer. On a different note, one would like to remind the wannabe mountaineers of the old adage: it’s not you who climbs the mountain. It’s the mountain which lets you climb it…Of course once in a while, the act of climbing also leads to meaningful connections between two vastly different individuals.

Naming the mountain peak as ‘Magistrate’s Point’

Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Bihar Elections 2025: CEC Gyanesh Kumar Addresses 5 Key Issues - SIR, Fake Voting, Freebies & More
BSNL
BSNL Surpasses Airtel in Mobile Subscriber Growth After Nearly a Year; Jio Leads with 19 Lakh Additions in August
NTPC_Tapovan Donates_Ambulance_
NTPC Hands Over ₹30 Lakh Advanced Life Support Ambulance to Chamoli District Hospital to Boost Emergency Healthcare
NTPC_Barauni_signed_agreement_
NTPC Barauni to Install 89 High-Mast Lights Across Begusarai to Boost Safety and Community Development
BPCL_bags_Excellence_Awards_
BPCL Wins Top Honours for City Gas Distribution and Customer Service at 19th PNGRB Foundation Day
Allahabad high court
SC Collegium Approves Appointment of Vinai Kumar Dwivedi as Judge of Allahabad High Court
JK Cement Health Camp Panna
Free Health Camp Organised for Forest Personnel During Wildlife Week 2025 by South Panna Forest Division
REC Mobile Medical Units
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Flags Off REC’s ₹5.71 Cr Mobile Medical Units to Boost Rural Healthcare in Rajasthan
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Dr G K Goswami IPS
Everything you ever wanted to know about e-murder, e-dacoity and data safety
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Discover how IDES officer Saquib Alam left his corporate job at Mahindra, overcame six UPSC attempts,...
Utkarsh Ujjwal IAS
IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal Shares Key Advice for UPSC Aspirants: Work Ethic, Failure, and Focus
Read the inspiring journey of IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal, 2023 batch, Gujarat cadre. From IIT Guwahati to clearing...
Sagar Datta Majumdar UPSC CSE 2024 AIR 317
“Don’t get trapped in the vicious cycle of self-doubt,” says UPSC Achiever Sagar Datta Majumdar
Discover how Sagar Datta Majumdar from Agartala, Tripura, cracked UPSC CSE 2024 with All India Rank 317....
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Bihar Elections 2025: CEC Gyanesh Kumar Addresses 5 Key Issues - SIR, Fake Voting, Freebies & More
BSNL
BSNL Surpasses Airtel in Mobile Subscriber Growth After Nearly a Year; Jio Leads with 19 Lakh Additions in August
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
Dr G K Goswami IPS
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT