65 mountaineers to scale Mt Rudugaira for laurels

Bangalore, Aug 16 (UNI) As many as 65 mountaineers, representing 14 States, will participate in the 11th Mt Rudugaira High Altitude Himalayan Expedition, beginning on August 18.

A 28-member strong team from Karnataka, including 17 women, led by Adventure Sports Association of India Secretary Acharya Babu T Raghu, would take part in the event. The team was seen off by former Minister Ramalinga Reddy and Legislator M R Seetharamu here today.

Thirteen-year-old Sidharth Shanon, the youngest member of the team, told UNI that he was eagerly awaiting the expedition to an altitude of 19,750 ft above mean sea level.

Talking to newspersons here, Mr Raghu said the Association aimed at large horizontal development rather than limited vertical development by going in for middle level summits which cost around Rs 25,000 per person as against high level expeditions to summits like the Everest which cost about Rs 20 lakh.

The expedition would also focus on studying the flora and fauna in high altitude, building national integration and developing yogic elements in mountaineers to enable them to maintain body temperature even at sub-zero degree conditions.

UNI MSP RG-GD RKN1636