30 May 2023(2023-05-30) (aged 99) Chandigarh, India
Nationality
Indian
Career
Notable ascents
- Led the first Indian expedition to
Trisul (1951)[1] - First ascent of
Mrigthuni (1958)[2] - Member of the first Indian expedition to
Mount Everest (1965)[3]
Gurdial Singh (1 January 1924 – 30 May 2023) was an Indian schoolteacher and
mountaineer who led the first mountaineering expedition of independent India to
Trisul (7,120 metres) in 1951. In 1958, he led the team that made the first ascent of
Mrigthuni (6,855 metres).[5][6][7] In 1965, he was a member of the first successful Indian expedition team to climb
Mount Everest.[8][3][9]
Singh also led many expeditions at
The Doon School, where he was a geography teacher, and
along with other Doon masters and students was instrumental in establishing a mountaineering culture in post-Independence India.[10] Singh has been described as "the first true Indian mountaineer", and in 2020, the
Himalayan Journal noted "Gurdial climbed for pleasure, to enjoy the mountains in the company of friends, to savour the beauty and grandeur of the high ranges, not to find fame or bag summits."[11]
Singh remained unmarried throughout his life, and often said that he was "married to the mountains".[11][15] He died following complications due to a hip fracture and
chikungunya at his home in Chandigarh, on 30 May 2023. Singh was 99.[15]
Awards
Apart from being the first Indian to be included in the
Alpine Club, Singh was given the
Arjuna Award in 1965 for his contributions towards Indian mountaineering. In 1967, Singh was awarded
Padma Shri,[13][16] the fourth highest civilian award in India. In 2007, Gurdial Singh was given a Lifetime Achievement Award and the
Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award for his contributions towards Indian mountaineering.[17][18][19]