Organised by TATA Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF), the expedition will be a 15-day affair. The team will start the expedition tomorrow and will continue their journey till October 9.
Apart from leader Pal, the team consist of only one more experienced name in ace mountaineer Premlata Agrawal from Jharkhand. Premlata was the first Indian woman to climb all seven highest summits in seven continents.
The six others — Chetna Sahoo (West Bengal), Jyoti Sharma (New Delhi), Tanu Verma (New Delhi), Madhvi Sharma (Uttrakhand), Anita Vaidya (Gujarat) and Sheetal Sangeeta Ekka (Jharkhand) — are mostly the first timers and inexperienced.
The Kharta valley trek takes one to the valley of flowers and to the Mount Everest’s east face known as the Kangshung face. The Kangshung Glacier is one of the three main glaciers of Mount Everest.
Pal said she was all excited about yet another adventure expedition and it was a step towards empowering women.
“This is yet another step towards empowering women to realise their potential. We are confident that the grit, determination and courage of these women will set an example for others,” she said.
Pal, the Chief of TSAF, said the expedition would be taking place in extreme cold condition and the onus would be on experienced mountaineers to guide the youngsters.
The youngest member of the expedition, 24-year-old Sheetal, who does not have any mountaineering experience, said Pal chose her on the basis of her sheer will power and determination.
“I hardly have any experience in mountaineering but Bachendri ma’am still chose me after looking at my will power and mental toughness. I am feeling a bit scared but am sure, with ma’am’s help I will be able to come out with flying colours,” Sheetal, who is an employee of TATA Steel, said.
Delhi girl Jyoti said she was confident of successfully completing the expedition after Pal instilled in her the “can do spirit”.
“She told me to give it try and said nothing is impossible,” said Jyoti.