Mountaineer sets record by climbing Island Peak without shoes

Itanagar, May 14 (UNI) Obsessed with adventure since childhood, Tapi Mra has claimed a world record for conquering Island Peak, the fourth highest peak of Nepal, without shoes.

Born in Leimiking, 150 kms from Daporijo in Upper Subansiri district, 27-year-old Tapi Mra scaled the 6160 metres peak, IMJA-TSE.

''I climbed the peak in a day from the base camp where other climbers took two to three days,'' he said.

Troops from Japan, Holland and New Zealand also participated in the expedition.

Mra has also received clearance from the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute of Darjeeling to scale the Mt Everest.

Claiming that the Arunachal government gave a ''cold shoulder'' to his talent, he said he was now optimistic that the government will now recognise his efforts and sponsor the trip.'' Armed with a degree in mountaineering, Para-gliding and water safety and rescue, Mra said his ultimate dream was to scale Mt Everest within the fastest recorded time.

A social scientist from New Zealand, Tony Mark Huber, had sponsored the trip for Mra.

Huber, who had come to Leimiking for research, was impressed by this tribal's knack for climbing and decided to give a boost to his inborn talent.

''Mr Huber gave me Rs 1.60 lakh, for the Nepal trip,'' Mra said adding that he also made personal arrangements to reach Nepal.

The climber further gushed, '' If the state government fails to sponsor my Everest trip I am ready to take up the New Zealand citizenship.'' UNI UPB JD/PP SYU KN1428