He made the first ascent of Changabang along with Sir Chris Bonington in 1974.
[5] Sandhu died on 3 December 2010, after a speeding car hit him outside the Indian Mountaineering Foundation headquarters in Delhi.
[6] Col Balwant Sandhu was commissioned into the 6th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment in 1967.
From 1980 till 1985, Sandhu was the principal of Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi.
[2] Sandhu made first ascents of the following: North Peak of Bancha Dhura (c. 6000m, solo climb) in 1962; Shinkun (6065m) in Lahaul in 1968; Changabang (6864m) in 1974; Phawarar ang (6349m) in 1979; Mamostong Kangri (7516m) in the East Karakoram in 1984; Kabru Dome (6600m) via a new route in 1985; West Face of Kamet (7756m) in 1985; Chombu East Peak NE Sikkim (5745 m) in 1996; along with The Doon School expeditions: Rudugaira (5816 m) in 2001 and Jogin III (6116 m) in 2002.