Jamshedpur, March 29, 2022: Tata Steel Adventure Foundation’s Senior Instructor, Ms Asmita Dorjee (38) will attempt to summit the highest peak of the world, Mt. Everest, without using supplementary oxygen. Till now, no Indian woman has climbed the summit without using supplementary oxygen.
The attempt will be unique considering extreme thin air and death zone above 8000-metre, strong winds and extreme cold conditions. There have been very few people in the world who have climbed Mt. Everest without supplementary oxygen. Due to very low oxygen available, climbers need to put supplementary oxygen from camp-3, i.e. above 7100-metre to survive and return safe. She will leave for Nepal on April 3, 2022.
TSAF was planning to send Asmita to Mt. Everest in 2020 and 2021, however, the expedition got postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic around the world.
After successful climb of Ms. Bachendri Pal (1st Indian woman to climb Mt. Everest) in 1984, so far TSAF has supported and trained 10 climbers who have successfully summited Mt. Everest. They include Premlata Agarwal (7 summits) in 2011 – R S Pal, Meghlal Mahato, Binita Soren (2012), Arunima Sinha and Susen Mahato (2013), Hemant Gupta (2017) and Sandeep Tolia, Poonam Rana, Swarnlata Dalai (2018).
Chanakya Chaudhary, Chairman, Tata Steel Adventure Foundation & Vice President (Corporate Services), Tata Steel who also flagged off the challenging expedition said: “We are delighted to champion this and wish the very best to Asmita for a successful and safe climb as she attempts to summit Mt. Everest without supplementary oxygen. This attempt is an example of the ultimate showcase of human endurance and the indomitable spirit that she possesses. Asmita’s safety however will remain the 1st priority for the team. The Foundation, through its unique proposition and sustained endeavours, continues to promote adventure sports in the country and inspire the coming generations.”
Asmita Dorjee shared her excitement and preparations for the expedition. Hemant Gupta, Head, TSAF and Mrs. Premlata Agarwal, Manager, TSAF and recipient of Padma Shri and 1st Indian woman to climb 7 summits shared their experiences on respective Everest expeditions and challenges.