BHUBANESWAR: Expedition Himsikhar, a unique mountaineering expedition venture by Department of Sports and Youth Services and Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), is all set to roll with 50 students shortlisted for the first preparatory camp.
The camp will kick off on December 8 at Sandakphu in Darjeeling district of West Bengal. Located at 12,000 feet above the sea level, Sandakphu is famous for sighting five of the highest peaks in the Himalayan Range. Expedition Himsikhar involves trekking to Sri Kailash, located at above 6,000 metres, in Uttarakhand. It is planned next year.
For the final expedition, three preparatory camps are being planned. While the first one will be at Sandakphu, the next two will be at Dhenkanal and Goechala Pass (Sikkim).
According to member of IMF, East Zone, Susant Das, as many as 34 boys and 16 girls from 18 districts of the State have been shortlisted out of 125 applicants between age group of 18-25 years. During the training period, importance will be given to coping and adapting ability - both mental and physical - in the higher altitudes.
Out of the 50 participants, 40 will be shortlisted for the second camp which will be held in January at Dhenkanal where they will be trained on rock climbing and rappelling.
Thirty participants will be selected for the final camp at Goechala where they will be trained on ice and snow craft for 15 days. Finally, a list of 15 participants will be selected for the Himsikhar expedition, said Das, who also is the programme coordinator.
The team comprising 50 participants and 15 support staff including instructors and medical officers will leave for Sandakhphu on December 8.