Giripremi’s Team Of Women Mountaineers Writes The New Chapter In The History Of Mountaineering In India
Pune, 6 August 2021: Giripremi’s team of women mountaineers writes the new chapter in the history of mountaineering in India as they scale two six thousand meters mountain named Kang Yatse 1 & Kang Yatse 2 in the first week of August. It was the first successful ‘team expedition of women’ from Maharashtra since 1984.
Priyanka Chinchorkar, Smita Karivadikar, Padmja Dhanvi, Sneha Gude, Sayali Budhkar, Anjali Katre participated in the dual expedition. The team was trained under Samiran Kolhe who also participated in the expedition. Umesh Zirpe, renowned mountaineer and Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Awardee, has been mentoring women’s team for the last two years.
The team was divided two parts. The first team consisting of Priyanka Chinchorkar and Smita Karivadikar summitted Kang Yatse-1 (6494 M), one of the most difficult peaks to climb, in an unfavourable weather. The duo was accompanied by Samiran Kolhe, who also summitted the mountain on August 2.
The other team consisting of Padmja Dhanavi, Sneha Gude, Sayali Budhkar and Anjali Katre summitted Kang Yatse-2 (6270 M). Anjali Katre is a 51-year-old mountaineer who has shown us that age is just number. You too can climb the higher peaks if you have the grit and patience. Meanwhile, Padmaja couldn’t summit the peak in the first attempt. She had to return to the base camp due to the severe weather conditions. She missed the summit by just 200 meters in the first attempt. However, she didn’t give up. After consulting the team members, trainer and the mentor, she planned the second attempt on August 4 and 5. Priyanka, the expedition leader, accompanied her and both mountaineers summit the peak on August 5. Mingma Sherpa, Sanjiv Roy, Ming Temba Sherpa and Sunny Sharma, the team of high-altitude guides, supported the expedition, whereas White Magic provided the critical logistic support.
Kang Yatse group of peaks is located at the far end Markha Valley in Ladakh. Kang Yatse-1 stands tall with 6494 meters height, whereas Kang Yatse-2 has 6270 meters altitude. Kang Yatse-1 peak is considered as one of the toughest peaks to climb. Most of the climbing route has loose rocks and steep climb is exhausting and tests the ability of climbers. 550-meter-long stretch from Camp 2 to Summit challenges the climbers as there are 15 to 20 ice walls positioned in 70 to 80 degrees angle. Giripremi’s team of determined mountaineers overwhelmed all the challenges to reach the summit.
The team expeditions of women to Himalayan peaks are lesser in numbers. Maharashtrian women mountaineers take seldom part in team expeditions. team expeditions by Giripremi to the Himalayan peaks will prove a pivotal change in Indian mountaineering fraternity. Giripremi’s initiative to build a strong team of women mountaineers is establishing as one of the successful experiments in Indian mountaineering.
| The success of Kang Yatse 1 & 2 is a great beginning. Now onwards, women expedition should be a norm and not a rarity. Women has the capabilities and enthusiasm needed for a mountaineer. In my opinion, institutes and clubs couldn’t spot this all these years. Giripremi’s initiative is going to be the perfect base for the women mountaineering in India. This is one of the greatest milestones, however there are more to come. Along with rock climbing and high-altitude expeditions, girls should aim for Trans Himalayan treks and more technically difficult peaks.
Ushaprabha Page Founder- President, Giripremi Pioneer of women’s mountaineering expedition in India |
| Just after the announcement of dual expedition, we witnessed the devastating Corona pandemic. In this difficult time, getting together and preparing for the dual expedition was near to impossible. Hence, we followed the digital route. Giripremi set up Gurukul for women mountaineers only. Sanjay Sathe helped the team in mental fitness with Brahmavidya session, whereas Samiran Kolhe looked after the physical fitness. I was constantly monitoring the progress and I am glad to share that more 15 women mountaineers participated in Gurukul who all are ready to face the challenge of mighty Himalaya. Another team of women mountaineers will take on the challenge of Mt. Manda-1 in September this year.
Umesh Zirpe Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Awardee Mountaineer Mentor of Giripremi’s women mountaineers’ team and pioneer of Gurukul concept for mountaineers |
Women Team Expeditions to Himalayan Mountains from Maharashtra
| Year | Peak | Team | ||||||||||||
| April 1966 | Kokthang (6147 M) | Pushpa Athawale, Kumkum Saluja, Vijaya Shinde and Sushma Mahajan
The team couldn’t reach the summit; however, they manage to climb 6000 meters altitude |
||||||||||||
| June1984 | Mt. Thelu (6000 M)
Mt. Koteshwar (6080 M) |
Neeta Bhoir, Neela Bhoir and Rani Kher from Mumbai’s Girivihar organization embarked on the dual expedition.
The team managed to climb both the peaks during expedition. |
||||||||||||
| July- August 2021 | Mt. Kang Yatse-1 (6494 M)
Mt. Kang Yatse-2 (6270 M) |
Giripremi’s Priyanka Chinchorkar (Leader), Smita Karivadikar, Anjali Katre, Sayali Budhkar, Sneha Gude and Padmja Dhanvi pariticipated in the successful dual expedition.
Women Team Expeditions to Himalayan Mountains from Maharashtra
|
