Success Lama wins rock climbing competition

BY SUJAN KAFLE,Charikot, May 6: Success Lama has won the title at the Sokla Rock Climbing Festival and Competition 2025. Lama secured first place by climbing a 30-metre rock wall in just 1 minute and 14 seconds.

The third edition of the rock-climbing competition was held with the aim of promoting Sokla Valley as an adventure tourism destination. Roshan Rasaili came in second, completing the climb in 1 minute and 30 seconds. Poojan Shrestha secured third place, while Bharat Karki received the consolation prize.

The event was organised by the Soklashwari Tourism Development Society, which has been actively promoting Sokla Valley as an ‘Adventure Climbing Hub.’

The festival held on May 3 and 4 saw participation from 103 individuals, including mountaineers, members of Nepal Scouts, the Nepali Army, Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force, said Arjun Pakhrin, Chairperson of the Tourism Society. 

The cliff used for the event, located between Sokla and Chakpa, stands 520 metres high.

The festival was supported financially by the Nepal Tourism Board and Bhimeshwar Municipality.

Sanjiv Gurung, President of the Mountain Guides Association of Nepal, said that three single-pitch climbing routes each measuring 24x24 metres were prepared for the competition. One of these routes was extended to a height of 100 metres.

Since 2021, the Tourism Development Society has been actively working on environmental, cultural and tourism promotion, as well as the development of tourism infrastructure in Sokla Valley.

The Society previously collaborated with Japanese citizens through the Hikari Sang Gift Programme and with the French Embassy for rock climbing and hiking projects. Since then, they have continued operating the rock-climbing initiative to establish Sokla Valley as a hub for adventure tourism.

Pakhrin emphasised the area’s potential, mentioning opportunities for bungee jumping, ziplining, cycling, bird research centres, canyoning in the Mareng River and rafting from Singati to Sokla Valley.

Located just eight kilometres from Charikot, Sokla village holds religious and cultural significance as well. The village is known for its agricultural tourism, eco-tourism, adventure tourism, bird-watching, views of the Gaurishankar mountain range and as a destination for religious and academic exploration.