Pune: Giripremi’s Team Aims To Climb 6529 Meter High Mount Manda
Sumit Singh
Pune, 16th August 2021: In an ambitious attempt, the Pune-based Giripremi team aims to climb the 6529-meter high peak – Mt. Manda I situated in the Gangotri region of the Indian Himalayas.
Team Giripremi held the Mt. Manda flag-off ceremony on the auspicious day of India’s 75th Independence Day. The team was flagged off at the hands of Pradeep Kurulkar (Director and OS DRDO), Dr Deepak Mane (Director Board of Sports, SPPU), Hav Maj Bajrang Nimbalkar (Retd.).
The team members of this expedition are Dr Sumit Mandale (Mt. Kangchenjunga and Mt. Annapurna Summiter), Vivek Shivade (Mt. Kangchenjunga Summiter), Pawan Hadole, Ankit Sohoni, Varun Bhagwat, Rohan Desai, Ruturaj Agawane and Nikunj Shah. This team is led by Anand Mali (Mt. Everest and Mt. Kangchenjunga Summiter).
Along with Kurulkar, Dr Deepak Mane (Director Board of Sports, SPPU), Hav Maj Bajrang Nimbalkar (Retd.), Vijay Joshi (Director, Cubix Microsystems), Vivek Gupta (Director Vidya Valley School) & Umesh Zirpe (Senior Mountaineer and mentor to Mt. Manda expedition) were present at the Programme.
Kurulkar said, “Giripremi’s Expedition Flag Off Programme being hoisted by me on the day of our country’s Independence is a matter of honour and pride for me. After the success of the expedition, all of us will be present there to welcome back and celebrate the success of the team. All the best to everyone.”
Hav Maj Nimbalkar said, “I had been posted as a soldier in the Himalayas for a couple of years. I am aware of the challenges which lie ahead in the mountains. The Himalayas cannot be challenged. The peaks have to be climbed by loving and embracing the mountains, then only the mountains let us reach the top. The Giri in Giripremi’s name means to love the mountains. When there are such mountain lovers in the institution and the team then the expeditions they do will be successful.”
While sharing the information of the expedition Zirpe said, “Situated in the Gangotri Region Mt. Manda 1 is an extremely difficult peak to climb. Until today there has not been any Indian summit on this peak. Giripremi team had attempted this peak twice in 1989 & 1991, both the attempts were not successful. Now once again Giripremi’s team with all tough mountaineers are ready to take the challenge of Mt. Manda. This time the team is very well prepared & the team consists of experienced as well as new youngsters. The team has been preparing for the past two years and this time I am sure that the Indian tricolour will be hoisted on the top of Manda.”
Mt. Manda is located in the Garwhal Himalayas situated in the Gangotri region. Mt. Manda 1(Ht.6529 mtrs) is the first peak in the group of mountains on which our team will start the expedition from the West side of Kedarganga Valley in the month of September.
The slopes of Mt. Manda 1 are sheer vertical which makes it a task for even the strongest of the mountaineers. The mountaineers will have to give their best in pursuit of this mammoth ascent.”
Mt. Manda 1 Expedition Flag Off ceremony was held by following all the rules of Covid 19 by the govt.
The Programme was anchored by Ganesh More (Mt. Everest and Cho oyu Summiter) and was concluded by Bhushan Harshe (Mt. Everest, Mt. Kangchenjunga & Mt. Annapurna Summiter).
Join our WhatsApp Group, Telegram, and Twitter for every update about Pune and PCMC
