KATHMANDU: A four-member Russian mountaineering team has obtained a climbing permit to attempt Gangapurna West (Lachenal), a 7,140-metre peak in the Annapurna region that remains unclimbed despite previous expeditions.

The Department of Tourism issued the permit on September 24 for the expedition named I.A.M. Treks Gangapurna West (Asapurna) Expedition 2026.

The team is led by Valerii Shamalo and includes Natalia Janina, Maksim Trufanov and Ruslan Kirichenko.

According to expedition officials, the climbers are scheduled to depart Kathmandu on September 29. The Nepal-based logistics and expedition management are being handled by I.A.M. Trekking and Expedition, with the permit remaining valid for 60 days.

The designated approach route follows Chame-Manang-Base Camp/Pokhara-Chhomrong-MBC-Base Camp, while the proposed climbing route lies within the 7,000-7,500 metre elevation range.

According to Pemba Jangbu Sherpa, managing director of I.A.M. Trekking and Expedition, Gangapurna West has resisted previous attempts and remains one of Nepal's notable unclimbed objectives.

The Department of Tourism also reportedly confirmed that there is no officially recorded summit of Gangapurna West from its western side, adding further significance to the upcoming expedition.

If successful, the climb would mark a notable achievement in Nepal's mountaineering history by establishing the first recorded ascent of one of the remaining unclimbed peaks in the Annapurna region, Pemba Sherpa added.