Mt. Everest 2005: Indian Army Women's expedition

©EverestNews.com

Update: The Indian Army ‘‘women’s expedition’’ is headed to Everest. With 10 women, 18 men and a strong Sherpa support team the group is trying to continue the long history of the Indian Army on Everest. The Army’s women team will be comprised of five officers, two NCC cadets and two trainees from the Special Frontier Force. This Indian expedition will be one of a few Indian expeditions on Everest this spring. The first Indian women's expedition was led by Bachendri Pal over a decade ago.

The women aged between 20 and 27 have trained at Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi.  The leader of the expedition is Maj. S.S. Shekhawat, who has summited Everest in 2001 and 2003.. The deputy leader is Lt. Col. Anand Swaroop who climbed Everest in 2001 but failed to summit.

Previous Update

Update: Reliable sources tell EverestNews.com that the Indian expedition is now going to the North side (Tibet) of the mountain rather than the South side (Nepal).

NCC Women’s Expedition 2005: The NCC Director General Lt. M. C. Bhandari has announced that the Indian Army will send an all women team up Mount Everest this spring. The NCC will send seven female cadets to the summit. There have been two test expeditions in the Garhwal Himalayas to select a short list of candidates. The first expedition was to climb Abigamin Peak and the second was Manali Peak. The women were successful in reaching the summit of Manali Peak. There are currently 11 cadets on the list of candidates, and that will be reduced to seven before the expedition begins in May.

The expeditions is expected to included several Sherpas climbers as well.

Millet One Sport Everest Boot for Spring 2009 has made some minor changes by adding more Kevlar. USES Expeditions / High altitude / Mountaineering in extremely cold conditions / Isothermal to -75°F Gore-Tex® Top dry / Evazote Reinforcements with aramid threads. Avg. Weight: 5 lbs 13 oz Sizes: 5 - 14 DESCRIPTION Boot with semi-rigid shell and built-in Gore-Tex® gaiter reinforced by aramid threads, and removable inner slipper Automatic crampon attachment Non-compressive fastening Double zip, so easier to put on Microcellular midsole to increase insulation Removable inner slipper in aluminized alveolate Fiberglass and carbon footbed Cordura + Evazote upper Elasticated collar. Expedition footwear for mountaineering in conditions of extreme cold.  NOTE US SIZES LISTED. See more here.

   Ascenders

   Atlas snowshoes

   Atomic

   Black Diamond

   Botas

   Brunton

   Carabiners

   CaVa Climbing Shoes

   Chaco

   Clearance

   Clif Bar

   Cloudveil

   CMI

   Crampons

   Edelweiss ropes
   Eureka Tents

   Exofficio

   Featured

   FoxRiver

   Garmin

   Granite Gear

   Harnesses
   Headlamps

   Hestra
   Helmets

   HighGear

   HornyToad
   Ice Axes

   Julbo

   Kavu Eyewear

   Katadyn

   Kelty

   Kong

   Lekisport

   Life is Good

   Lowa

   Lowe Alpine

   Lowepro

   Millet

   Motorola

   Mountain Hardwear

   Mountainsmith

   MSR

   Nalgene

   New England Ropes

   Nikwax

   Omega

   Patagonia

   Pelican

   Petzl

   PowerBar

   Princeton Tec

   Prescription Glacier

   Glasses

   Primus

   Rope Bags

   Salomon

   Scarpa

   Seattle Sports

   Serius
   Sleeping Bags

   Stubai

   Suunto

   Tents

   Teva

   Thermarest

   Trango

   Tool Logic

   Trekking Poles
   Yaktrax
   and more here