About Umesh

25+ Years of Experience

  • Distinguished Indian Mountaineer & Expedition Leader – Led multiple successful high-altitude expeditions, including eight peaks above 8,000 meters.
  • Founder-Director of GGIM – Established the Guardian Giripremi Institute of Mountaineering, South India’s first advanced mountaineering institute.
  • Pioneer in Mountaineering Education – Developed India’s first Diploma in Mountaineering in collaboration with Pune University.
  • President of AMGM – Leads the Akhil Maharashtra Giryarohan Mahasangh, promoting adventure sports across Maharashtra.
  • Rescue & Humanitarian Efforts – Founded the Maharashtra Mountaineers Rescue Coordination Centre (MMRCC), aiding over 800 successful rescues.
  • National Awardee – Honored with the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award (2023), India’s highest adventure honor.
  • Media & Publications – Featured in The Times of India, The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, and over 1,000 published articles on adventure sports.
  • Sherpa Community Welfare – Advocates for education, healthcare, and infrastructure development for the Sherpa community.
  • Disaster Relief Leader – Led rescue missions during the 2013 Uttarakhand floods and 2015 Nepal earthquake.
  • Mentor & Motivational Speaker – Trained over 5,000 students in adventure sports, conducted 500+ mountaineering seminars, and delivered 1,000+ school lectures.

Detailed Pofile

Umesh Zirpe is a distinguished Indian mountaineer, expedition leader, and mentor, celebrated for his extensive contributions to high-altitude mountaineering and adventure sports in India. As the founder-director of the Guardian Giripremi Institute of Mountaineering (GGIM) in Pune, he has played a pivotal role in promoting mountaineering and inspiring a new generation of climbers.

Early Life and Education

  • Born on March 2, 1965, Umesh Zirpe developed an early passion for mountaineering, beginning his journey in the Sahyadri hills. He completed his Basic and Advanced Mountaineering Courses at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) in Uttarkashi between 1987 and 1988, earning ‘A’ grades in both. In addition to his mountaineering qualifications, Zirpe holds degrees in Commerce (B.Com), Law (LL.B), and diplomas in Taxation Laws (D.T.L) and Corporate Laws (D.C.P.L), and has practiced as a tax consultant and entrepreneur for over three decades.

Mountaineering Career

  • Leadership in 8000er Expeditions – Umesh Zirpe has the distinction of being the only Indian leader to have successfully led eight expeditions to peaks exceeding 8,000 meters, commonly referred to as “8000ers.” Under his leadership, these expeditions have achieved remarkable success:

Professional Roles and Contributions

    • Guardian Giripremi Institute of Mountaineering (GGIM)
      As the founder-director of GGIM, Umesh Zirpe has been pivotal in establishing it as South India’s first advanced mountaineering institute. Under his guidance, GGIM offers comprehensive training programs and has become a hub for aspiring mountaineers.
    • Akhil Maharashtra Giryarohan Mahasangh (AMGM)
      Serving as the president of AMMF, Zirpe oversees the promotion and regulation of mountaineering activities across Maharashtra, fostering a culture of adventure sports in the region.
    • Maharashtra Mountaineers Rescue Coordination Centre (MMRCC)
      As the founder of MMRCC, he has been instrumental in coordinating over 800 successful rescue operations, providing critical support to mountaineers in distress.

Awards and Recognition
Umesh Zirpe’s contributions have been acknowledged through numerous awards:

  • Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award (2023): India’s highest adventure honor, awarded for lifetime achievement in adventure sports.
  • Shiv Chhatrapati Award (2014): Maharashtra’s highest recognition in adventure sports.
  • ABP Majha Gaurav Award (2012): Recognizing excellence in mountaineering.
  • Girimitra Giryarohan Puraskar (2007): For significant contributions to adventure sports.
  • Rotary Award for Excellence in Mountaineering (2018): Honoring outstanding achievements in mountaineering.

Media Presence and Publications

Zirpe’s expertise has been featured in prominent media outlets, including The Times of India, The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, Sakaal, and Loksatta. He has authored over 1,000 articles on mountaineering, adventure sports, and environmental conservation. His television appearances include interviews on DD News, ABP Majha, Zee 24 Taas, Aaj Tak, and Network 18. Additionally, he has been featured in documentaries covering his expeditions to Everest and other 8000ers.

Social Impact and Humanitarian Efforts

Umesh Zirpe is committed to social causes, notably through the Sherpa Community Welfare Project, which focuses on education, healthcare, and infrastructure development for the Sherpa community. He has also led disaster relief missions during the Uttarakhand floods in 2013 and the Nepal earthquake in 2015, providing essential aid and support to affected communities.

Promotion of Mountaineering in India
Dedicated to nurturing future mountaineers, Zirpe developed the Avhaan-Nirmaan-Udaan (ANU) program, mentoring over 5,000 students in adventure sports. He pioneered India’s first Diploma in Mountaineering in collaboration with Pune University and has conducted over 500 mountaineering seminars, 1,000 school lectures, and 300 corporate sessions, promoting the spirit of adventure and environmental stewardship.
Umesh Zirpe’s enduring dedication to mountaineering and adventure sports continues to inspire and elevate the standards of high-altitude expeditions in India.

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