Pune Mountaineers Summit Everest, Felicitated
Pune, June 23, 2018
Samir Patham and Sauraj Jhingan, the Pune based mountaineers who led the Force Motors Everest Expedition 2018, were felicitated today at the company’s Akurdi factory in Pune. The duo had reached the world’s tallest peak on May 18, 2018 and shared their experience aided by videos of the expedition. They handed over the Force Motors flag taken to the summit to MD Mr. Prasan Firodia, and autographed a photograph that commemorated their climb to the summit.
The expedition was flagged off on March 22, 2018 from the company’s headquarters at Akurdi. After acclimatising for a few weeks and testing their technical skills by climbing neighbouring mountains, they proceeded to Everest base camp from where they made several trips to the higher camps. This was to stock up essentials like tents, food and oxygen for the final summit attempt.
Assured by favourable weather conditions, the team left Camp 4 (above 8000m) on the evening of 17th May. After a 10 hour gruelling climb in the death zone, they reached the summit at 6.20 am the next day. They spent about 40 minutes on the top before descending.
Mr. Firodia, complimenting Sauraj and Samir on their outstanding feat, stated that their perseverance and determination would certainly inspire others to strive towards their personal and professional goals.
Samir and Sauraj said they were grateful for the company’s support. The duo’s first attempt in 2015 was abandoned because of the earthquake in Nepal that almost wiped out base camp. The second attempt in 2017 was called off 800m from the summit because of strong jet stream winds higher than 160km/hr. Force Motors gave their dream a new lease of life. “We thank everyone who believed in us,” they said.
