Army, IAF teams set to meet on Mt Everest climb

While jointmanship between the three armed forces is not much on ground, the Army and IAF will unwittingly brave the odds together, around 8...

While jointmanship between the three armed forces is not much on ground, the Army and IAF will unwittingly brave the odds together, around 8,000 metres above sea level. Separate expeditions from both forces, embarking on missions just a day apart, will spend all of April and May scaling Mount Everest together, from the more difficult north face in Tibet.

‘‘They could meet while on their missions. It will be good joint effort,’’ Army chief Gen J.J. Singh said. Jointmanship between the services has been on slow mode, with both Army and IAF scouting for new operational commands, instead of pushing for more integrated operational formations.

The Army ‘‘women’s expedition’’, comprising 10 women and 18 men, leaves for Everest base camp on March 28 while the IAF team of 30 men leaves a day later. The Army’s women contingent comprises five officers, two NCC cadets and two trainees from the Special Frontier Force. The IAF team, apparently the first from any air force in the world, will be led by veteran mountaineer Wg Cdr Amit Chowdhury.

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The expeditions are a first for both forces — it’s the Army’s first ‘‘women’s expedition’’ and the IAF’s first ever. The decision for the Army women’s team to take the northern route was taken due to threat perception from Maoists on the less difficult southern route in Nepal.

The adventure cells of both forces have been planning the expeditions for some time now though neither knew about the other’s schedule. As of now, as many as 58 Indian armed forces personnel will be clambering up Mount Everest over the next two months, a time when mountaineering ‘traffic’ on the world’s tallest peak is highest for the year.

‘Mountains great but none worth dying for’

		Army chief J.J. Singh’s advice at the flagging-off ceremony for the Army team today in South Block: • Mountains are great, but none worth dying for • If in doubt, lose altitude • Team success is more important than individual heroics • Let your body give the green signal to climb • Read the weather, avoid high winds • Don’t hide sickness as it could jeopardize the mission