Blum leads Indian and American women on the first ascent of Bhrigupanth in the Indian Himalayas.
In 1980 (exact day not documented), Arlene Blum led a multinational team of Indian and American women to complete the first ascent of Bhrigupanth, a 6,772‑meter peak in the Indian Himalayas. The climb added another notable first to her record of women‑led mountaineering achievements and further diversified the geography of women’s high‑altitude success beyond the more commonly celebrated 8,000‑meter peaks.
The expedition required route finding on a relatively unknown mountain, glacier travel, and technical ice and rock climbing in a remote region. By organizing and leading a team composed of women from different countries, Blum fostered international collaboration and demonstrated that women climbers from various cultural backgrounds could work together effectively on demanding objectives.
This first ascent is significant not only as a geographical and technical accomplishment but also as a statement of women’s growing presence in exploratory alpinism. During an era when women were still fighting for recognition and leadership roles in established climbing clubs and national expeditions, Blum’s success on Bhrigupanth provided another high‑profile example of women defining their own goals and achieving them. It reinforced her reputation as a leader who combined ambition with careful planning, and it helped inspire subsequent women’s teams to pursue unclimbed or rarely climbed peaks across the Himalaya.