Mt. Everest 2005: Indian Army Women's expedition

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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.

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