From rxpgnews.com
IAF mountaineering team to Mt. Cho Oyu flagged off
By IANS,
Apr 17, 2007 - 7:38:49 PM
New Delhi, April 17 - The Indian Air Force - platinum jubilee mountaineering expedition to Mt. Cho Oyu, the world's sixth highest peak, was flagged off here Tuesday by IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Fali Major.
The 8,201 metre Cho Oyu that stands astride the Nepal-Tibet border, 30 miles West of Mt. Everest will be attempted by a team of 15 air force officers from the northwest route in China during April-May.
The expedition is part of the events planned to celebrate the IAF's platinum jubilee.
The team, led by Wing Commander R.C. Tripathi, will leave here Thursday. The climb route is from Tibetan side of the Nangpa La pass that used to be the old trading route to Nepal.
The expedition will enter Tibet via Kathmandu and Lhasa and thereafter drive over the Tibetan plateau to the north face of the mountain.
From the last road head, a three-day approach march would take the team to the base camp. The team will establish three higher camps after the advance base camp before attempting the summit push by end of May 2007, an IAF spokesman here said Tuesday.
The IAF had created history by hosting the tricolour on top of Everest May 30, 2005.
'The air warriors of the IAF - have been pursuing mountaineering as part of their activities adventure for more than three decades,' the spokesman said, adding: 'Today, the IAF has a nucleus of qualified mountaineers ready to take on the challenge of climbing any peak in the world.'
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