Meghlal Mahto, Rajendra Singh Pal, Bachendri Pal and Binita Soren at the Tata Steel’s news meet in New Delhi on Wednesday. Picture by Ramakant Kushwaha

Nothing gives their adrenaline that extreme surge than a snow-capped peak. And this time, daredevil trio Rajendra Singh Pal (52), Meghlal Mahto (30) and Binita Soren (25) aim to conquer none other than the big daddy of all peaks, Mount Everest.

Rajendra — the equally agile sibling of mountain maiden Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman to scale the challenging 29,029ft — and his younger companions will leave for Kathmandu from Delhi on Thursday to acclimatise themselves before they begin their arduous climb on March 25.

They are part of the Eco Everest Expedition-Spring 2012, being led by 28-year-old Belgian-Nepalese climber Dawa Steven Sherpa. The uniqueness of this trek is that they will leave no waste behind. All wrappers, tins and even excreta will be brought back so that the Everest stays clean. They are expected to complete the trek and return to base by May 26.

The three climbers are being sponsored by Tata Steel. Bachendri will accompany the team up to Namche Bazar, 3,440 metres above sea level, before the base camp.

Speaking to The Telegraph in Delhi, the mountaineers said that they beat the odds to unleash their passion for sheer height.

Binita, who hails from Kesorsora near Tumung in Seraikela-Kharsawan, caught the trekking bug young, at a Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF) camp in 2003. “People in my village don’t even send boys outside to study. But this adventure camp was something we were curious about. I forced my parents to let me go,” she said.

The gutsy young woman has already conquered four peaks, including the Saser Kangri IV (7,416 metres) in Ladakh. She and Meghlal, who is from rebel-hit Paharpur near Tumung, also capped the 6,959-metre-high Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, considered the highest peak in the Americas, last month. Their treks and training over the last decade have been sponsored by TSAF. Both are currently guest instructors with the foundation.

Rajendra, who is also Tata Steel’s adventure programme manager in Jamshedpur, said training camps in Dalma and Uttarkashi, complete with trekking, rock climbing, rafting and kayaking, taught them endurance.

Bachendri said the trekkers were selected for their endurance and determination. “Indian families prefer to keep their children, especially girls, closeted. Change comes when people go out. TSAF’s programme to attract rural youth to adventure is finding many takers. Women are hesitant, but they also are coming forward,” she said.

Tata Steel vice-president (corporate services) Sanjiv Paul said the company had sanctioned Rs 50 lakh for the three mountaineers. The idea of adventure trips, he explained, was to channel youth energy in a positive direction.

For many youths in the Maoist belt, Tata Steel’s sports activities are a way out of the drudgery of farm work.

“Villagers respect us. They know we have good jobs. Four TSAF participants are now in Jamshedpur police. Maoists ask others to stop tilling land and join their party, but they don’t trouble us. Everyone respects us and asks us what snow is like. I tell them it is soft and glitters in the sun,” Meghlal said.