Tuesday marked the successful ascent of Mount Everest by Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman to do so.
It was on May 23, 1984, when the then 29-year-old annexed the 29,029 peak. Now at 63, she is chief of Tata Steel Adventure Foundation, happily recalling the myriad challenges she faced before and during the trek, equipment issues and men's egos topping the list.
"Those days accessing equipment was not very easy. I remember one of the team members ran out of oxygen while descending, just ahead of camp 4 (26,085ft). I was already at camp 4 and somehow managed to alert others who arranged for a spare cylinder for the gasping teammate," she said about her expedition conducted three decades ago.
Yet Bachendri agreed that hassles about equipment did not compare with the primary challenge. "You have to conquer the mind. You have to be physically strong but the mental aspects lords over everything," said the mountaineer who has mentored the likes of Everesters Premlata Agarwal, the oldest Indian woman to summit, and amputee Arunima Mishra.
Yet Bachendri had less than three years' experience when she annexed Everest. She said she was determined not to come back without summitting. "I think I was confident from start and managed to face the challenges quite well. While I was climbing, the expedition team comprised six women and 13 men.
"It's true that not all women made it to the top, but even some of the men in the team couldn't make it. Success or failure is definitely not determined by gender. I think I could reach the top because of the support and training of all the team members and, of course, my self belief," she said.
The feisty climber, however, recalled one irritant, the ego of some of the men in her team who seemed ruffled by her pace. "I think they were upset when I started to out perform them. They were not even willing to take my, or any other woman's, help. But, I took this in my stride and continued the ascent," she added.
Bachendri recalled she took up the challenge with an open mind. "I had set my aim, which was the summit. Nothing else came to mind. I think one should set targets and pursue them religiously and with an open mind" she pointed out.
As of now Bachendri is anxiously keeping abreast of the progress of her Everest-bound pupils, Hemant Gupta and Payo Murmu, who were scheduled to start their ascent to camp 3 (23,625 ft) early on Tuesday. According to Kathmandu-based Asian Trekking Agency that is conducting the expedition, the duo are progressing well, which means, they are likely to summit on May 25.
"Both are well prepared and I am waiting for the good news," Bachendri signed off.
What is your message to Bachendri Pal?
Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com
