Imphal: Nine mountaineers from Manipur and two from Arunachal Pradesh will begin their ascent of Mt Baisakhi on Gorichen range along the Sino-Indian border on Friday.

Mt. Baisakhi, whose summit is at 20,000 feet, is not marked on civilian maps owing to security reasons.

The mountaineers from Manipur are S. Lingthoingambi Devi, team leader, her deputy Y. Ronit Meitei, Seram Basanti Devi, S. Thoiba Singh, Richard Maringmei, L. Premkumar Singh, L. Ranjan Singh, L. Ruby Singh and P. Birjit Singh. The two mountaineers from Arunachal Pradesh are Tabu Dayang and Oyon Pertin.

The expedition is jointly organised by Arunachal Pradesh youth affairs and sports department, Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association and National Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports.

Flagging off the mountaineers on Thursday, Manipur consumer affairs and public distribution minister Karam Shyam said for mountaineers it is the thrill of the unknown that makes them go on such expeditions.

He said the mountaineers have been coming forward to help during natural disasters and in relief operations as well and the state government had noted their endeavour.

Later, Shyam handed over the mountain axe and expedition flag to Lingthoingambi Devi and wished the team a triumphant return.

Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association president Bijoy Koijam said the national institute is providing logistic support for the expedition.

He said the association is planning an all-Manipur team expedition to Mt Everest in 2020-21.

"We are hoping the state government and the public extend support to this expedition," he said.

Association founding president Rk. Ranendrajit exhorted the mountaineers by saying that if they have self-confidence, team spirit and discipline, there is no hurdle one cannot overcome. "One should remember the training put in by the mountaineers finds fruition once they conquer a mountain," he said.