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
SJVN
Leadership Continuity: Rajendra Prasad Goyal Given Additional Charge as Director (Finance) of SJVN Ltd- Know more about Him
government-of-haryana
Haryana Government Transfers 2 IPS, 13 HPS Officers in Major Police Reshuffle- Check Details
scam
‘Hello, This is IPS Officer Speaking…’: 9th-Pass Youth Tricks Cops in Three States with Fake Voice Scam
Screenshot 2025-07-18 214334
L&T Chairman Mr. S.N. Subrahmanyan’s FY25 Remuneration Jumps Nearly 50% to Rs. 76.25 Crore!
bureaucracy news
Appointments Update: IRS Kommisetty Murlidhar to Join Andhra Govt; Jay Nath Yadav Inducted into IAS
Indian Overseas Bank (IOB)
Indian Overseas Bank Plans Rs. 4,000 Crore Fundraising via QIP; Net Profit Soars 76% in Q1 FY26
Paresh Saxena IPS
IPS Officer Dr Paresh Saxena Protests Empanelment Denial, Returns President’s Distinguished Service Medal
Screenshot 2025-07-18 212145
Chhattisgarh: CM Vishnu Deo Sai Unveils ‘Anjor Vision @ 2047’ - A Bold Roadmap for a Developed Future!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
promila gupta
The Secret of The Secret – How To Make The Universe Conspire For You
AI 171 CRASH
AAIB Initial Probe In AI-171 Crash Questioned By Aviation Experts
Ravi Kapoor
Why Ex-IRS Officer Ravi Kapoor Walked Away from Power
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Bhavesh Royada
“People often don’t put in the effort required for exams of this level,” Bhavesh Royada
Bhavesh Royada left a stable engineering job to follow his passion for nature. Overcoming failures and...
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-14 at 15.58
The Economist Who Became an IFS Officer
How Abhimanyu Gahlaut balanced global economics and civil services dreams to crack UPSC with AIR 38
Disha Dwivedi UPSC
How Disha Dwivedi Cracked UPSC in Her Sixth Attempt with Unshakable Determination
Disha Dwivedi’s UPSC journey from five prelims failures to securing AIR 672 in 2024 showcases strategic...
Social Media
Screenshot 2025-07-18 203508
Majestic Tiger Rescue and Release in Sundarbans Captivates the Internet: IFS Susanta Nanda Shares Video On X
The video captures the tiger’s strength, agility, and instinct—a breathtaking sight as the big cat slices...
Standing Leopard
Leopard Stuns Internet by Standing on Two Legs Like a Meerkat
A rare video of a leopard standing on two legs in Kruger Park stuns viewers and goes viral across social...
G S Roshni
Kerala’s Fearless Forest Officer G.S. Roshni Rescues 16-Foot King Cobra with Bare Hands, Garners Praise & Critique
Beat Forest Officer G.S. Roshni’s first-ever king cobra rescue goes viral, earning her the title of ‘Green...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
SJVN
Leadership Continuity: Rajendra Prasad Goyal Given Additional Charge as Director (Finance) of SJVN Ltd- Know more about Him
government-of-haryana
Haryana Government Transfers 2 IPS, 13 HPS Officers in Major Police Reshuffle- Check Details
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
promila gupta
AI 171 CRASH
Ravi Kapoor
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT