New Delhi (07/03/2022): Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, under the FIT India banner, is organising a unique expedition titled FIT@50+ Women’s Trans Himalayan Expedition ’22 in India. For the first time, women in their 50s and 60s from across the country will participate in this odyssey. The event celebrates India’s 75th Independence Day and is dedicated to the Central Government’s “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” initiative. This expedition will be flagged off on March 8, 2022 – International Women’s Day and is expected to end by the first week of August 2022.
The expedition will be led by Padma Bhushan and Padma Bachendri Pal, the legendary mountaineer and the first Indian woman to scale Mount Everest. The 14-member team, including the support crew, comprises retired professionals, mothers, grandmothers, and homemakers from across India. The team also includes three women Everest summiteers.
The five-month-long expedition involves traversing the Himalaya from East to West – from Arunachal to Ladakh covering over 4,977 kilometers and crossing 37 mountain passes. The team will commence their journey of ultimate human endurance at Arunachal Pradesh and pass through Assam, West Bengal, Sikkim, Nepal, Kumaon, Garhwal, Himachal Pradesh, Spiti, Leh, and Ladakh, before concluding at Tiger Hill in Kargil at an altitude of 16,608 feet.
Chanakya Chaudhary, Chairman, Tata Steel Adventure Foundation and Vice President, Corporate Services, Tata Steel, said: “We are delighted to organise this one-of-a-kind expedition that aims to spread awareness on issues related to women health and fitness. The expedition, being led by Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF), promises to be an ultimate showcase of human endurance and the indomitable spirit of our participants. The Foundation, through its unique proposition and sustained endeavours, will continue to promote adventure sports in the country and inspire generations.”
“I congratulate TSAF for conceptualising and enabling such a platform. I extend my best wishes to all the team members for a successful expedition,” he adds.
Bachendri Pal, Leader of the Expedition and Mentor, TSAF, said: “I always believe that the biggest risk in life is not taking risks and this belief has given me the guts to take risks, lead many path-breaking expeditions, face numerous challenges and continue the journey. With the same belief, a team of 10 women will be undertaking a five-month long Himalayan journey and the biggest challenge this time is the age factor.”
This expedition is very different, according to Pal. “The team members are aged over 50 and 60 years, and the expedition’s duration coupled with multiple challenges like emotional, social, mental factors, fatigue and weather constraints make it unique. We intend to set-up an example for all women and raise hope that it is possible to stay fit and healthy in old age,” she adds.
A dedicated website for the expedition was launched by Chanakya Chaudhary and Bachendri Pal. The website will provide expedition details and people can track the progress of the journey via an interactive map. https://www.transhimalayanexpedition.org.
The expedition, earlier scheduled for 2021, had to be deferred due to the pandemic.
The expedition is also collaborating with the Indian Army for assistance all along the route across the Indian Himalayas. The team’s journey is also being supported by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP).
The FIT@50+ Women’s Trans Himalayan Expedition this year is supported by Tata Sports Club as the fitness partner, TraQ by Titan as the time partner, Vistara as the airline partner, and Tata AIG as the insurance partner. Adventure Worx is the Gear partner, Abharan Jewellers, Suprajit Foundation, Atul Foundation, Adukale & Cycle Pure Agarbathi are support partners.
