Bachendri Pal will lead a seven-women contingent on an expedition to the Kharta Valley (Tibet) that begins on Sunday. The team will finish its journey on October 9.
The first Indian woman to conquer Mount Everest, Bachendri, will be accompanied by Jharkhand’s Premlata Agarwal (the first Indian woman to scale the highest peak in all continents) and Sheetal Ekka, Chetna Sahoo (West Bengal), Jyoti Sharma, Tanu Verma (Delhi), Madhvi Sharma (Uttarakhand) and Anita Vaidya (Gujarat). Among the trekkers, Ekka will be the only debutant.
The contingent, except Vaidya, will start the expedition, supported by Tata Steel Adventure Foundation, from the Capital city. Vaidya will join the team on Monday.
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“This was my dream project in Tibet. I had once been a part of an expedition till Karakoram Pass. After returning from the Pass, I was curious to know what lies beyond,” Bachendri said here on Saturday.
“We hope to empower women through this process. We help them become courageous and discover their hidden skill and talent. I had to face a lot of resistance from my family when I was young. Since I earned my opportunity, I hope to make a difference now,” added the 60-year-old mountaineer.
Despite her experience, she believes that her biggest challenge will be to overcome the challenges posed by old age. Yet, she feels that a positive attitude and determination can offset physical problems.
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“A lack of resolve can be one’s biggest handicap.”