Bangladeshi mountaineers set off for Aconcagua under ‘Mission Seven Summit’

Two Bangladeshi mountaineers are set to begin their journey to South America's highest peak, Mount Aconcagua, as part of the ambitious global climbing initiative 'Mission Seven Summit'.

Mountaineers Prabal Barman and KM Mujibur Rahman will depart for Argentina on 7 January, marking the next phase of their quest to conquer the highest mountains on all seven continents.

The Aconcagua expedition represents the beginning of the Americas leg of Mission Seven Summit; a master plan aimed at scaling the tallest peaks of each continent. The seven summits included in the mission are Mount Everest (Asia), Mount Aconcagua (South America), Puncak Jaya (Oceania), Mount Elbrus (Europe), Mount Vinson (Antarctica), Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa), and Denali (North America).

A flag-off ceremony and press conference were held today (3 January) at the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro in the capital. Speaking at the event, Prabal Barman said the expedition goes beyond personal achievement. "This journey is not just about individual success. My goal is to inspire Bangladesh's youth to move forward toward their limitless potential," he said.

Prabal Barman began his mountaineering journey in 2021, preparing through expeditions in Bangladesh's hill tracts, including Saka Haphong, Tazingdong, Yogi, and Jotlank. In 2022, he completed a long-distance foot journey from Teknaf to Tetulia. His major international milestones include a solo Everest Base Camp and Island Peak expedition in 2023, swimming across the Bangla Channel the same year, summiting Friendship Peak after training at India's Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) in 2024, and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in 2025.

His expedition partner, KM Mujibur Rahman, is a professional scuba diver and seasoned mountaineer. He has previously taken part in expeditions to Mera Peak, Nabuche East, Chulu Far East, and Island Peak in Nepal; Sandakphu in India; Mount Elbrus in Russia; Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania; and Mount Aconcagua in Argentina. Like Barman, he is also trained at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering.

Addressing the audience, Mujibur Rahman said, "A person's ability to dream is stronger than physical ability. "Mission Seven Summit" is not merely a story of personal success – it holds the potential to become a source of national pride." He added that the mission also includes future plans for awareness-building initiatives, youth development, and strengthening global connections.

The event was attended by distinguished guests, including Mohiuddin Mahi, mountaineer and founder of Rope and Outdoor Education, and Mir Shamsul Alam Babu, mountaineer and film archive researcher.

With their sights set on Aconcagua, the two climbers aim not only to scale new heights but also to place Bangladesh firmly on the global mountaineering map.