ITANAGAR, Sept 29 - Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu today flagged off an all-women Mt Gorichen expedition here. This will be the first all-women team attempting to summit the second highest peak of the State, which is considered as a technical peak and only seasoned climbers can make it to the top (6,488 metres).
Anshu Jansempa, who climbed the Mt Everest twice, will lead the team of ten members from States like Jammu & Kashmir (Ladakh), Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh with four support staff, an official release said.
Appreciating the women expedition team for taking up the challenge, Khandu prayed for their safety and successful summit.
�On behalf of the State Government and as the local legislator of the area, I assure all cooperation and support to the expedition,� he said.
Interacting with the team members, the Chief Minister said their expedition would open up more such ventures in other areas of the State, besides promoting adventure tourism.
�With team leader Anshu and member Tene Mena, an Everester herself, I am sure your expedition will be a successful one. On behalf of the people of the State, I wish you all the best,� Khandu said.
Giving a brief on the expedition being jointly sponsored by the State Department of Sports and Youth Affairs and the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), Anshu said the main objective of the all-women expedition is to promote women empowerment, besides promoting adventure tourism in the State.
�We expect to make the summit by the last week of October,� she said. Anshu and her team also wished luck to the team of ITBP and the IMF which is on its way to summit the State�s highest and most difficult peak, Mt Kangto (7,042 metres). Khandu had flagged off the Mt Kangto expedition on September 25, the release added. � PTI
