Every great outdoor journey needs a mentor who has lived the mountains — someone who has battled both nature and war, and emerged stronger.
For Pathfinders Trails, that mentor is Mr. Pradyumansingh Negi.
His story began as a young boxer who became a Brigade Champion in the Indian Army.
But the 1999 Kargil War changed everything. Driven by courage and devotion, he voluntarily joined the Indian Army’s
Mountaineering Course. In 2000, he proudly passed out as part of the
first-ever Indian Army Mountaineering Rescue & Instructor Course batch,
marking the beginning of an extraordinary journey.
Over the years, he transformed into one of India’s finest mountain professionals:
A Ghatak Commando, a Combat Veteran, a Battle Casualty survivor, and a two-time Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Awardee.
Adding to his remarkable service, he represented India as part of the
United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Congo, serving for one year and contributing to global peace and humanitarian operations.
He has trained soldiers at some of the world’s highest and toughest military institutions —
HAWS Gulmarg, Siachen Battle School, and ABHIMAS Manali — shaping India’s elite mountain troops and rescuers.
But his legacy goes far beyond the Army.
More than 200 of his students have successfully summited 8000m+ peaks,
many of whom today serve as instructors, rescuers, expedition leaders, and adventure entrepreneurs.
He also played a pivotal role in training ONGC’s Mount Everest and Kangchenjunga Summit Teams,
contributing to some of India’s proudest mountaineering achievements.
Among his most inspiring trainees is Chhonzin Angmo — the
first visually-impaired woman from India, and the fifth in the world,
to climb Mt. Everest. Her success story stands as a testament to his unmatched mentorship,
patience, and belief in human potential.
Every winter, he continues serving the nation with Tiranga Mountain Rescue,
leading 35+ rescue specialists deployed across the Himalayas for avalanche response
and mountain-craft training of Indian Army personnel.
Parents trust him. Students admire him. And the mountains respect him.
For our young adventurers, he is not just an instructor —
He is a living embodiment of courage, discipline, humility, and the true spirit of the Himalayas.
