Patil to flag off Mountaineering expedition of SSB tomorrow

New Delhi, May 24 (UNI) Home Minister Shivraj V Patil will flag-off the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) mountaineering expedition to Mt Jogin I and III tomorrow.

SSB's mountaineers will scale the two most challenging mountains Mt. Jogin I, which is 21,210 feet high, and Mt. Jogin III at 20,065 feet situated on the Garhwal - Kumaon Himalayas in Gangotri region of Uttarakhand.

Mr G.C. Sah, a veteran of several expeditions, will lead the 25 member expedition team on a 34 days long expedition, including acclimatisation. The team will begin its ascent from Gangotri, an official releases said here today.

The endeavour is not only to put maximum climbers on the summit, but to also expose the mountaineers to learn endurance in adverse conditions and to learn the art of living in high altitude by practicing the latest techniques of snow and ice-craft. The Force intends to expose its men to the stupendous dynamics of planning to conduct long range patrols and expeditions along the international border. The team also will clear garbage left behind by earlier expeditionists.

They will approach Bhoj kharak at 12,500 feet from Gangotri and reach the summit of Mt. Jogin I&III after halting at Kedar kharak at 14,700 feet, establish Base Camp at the picturesque Kedartal lake which is perched at 16,320 feet. From there they move to camp-I at 18,500 feet and then move on to Camp-II at 19,800 feet to take on the summits.

SSB has so far the scaled Mt. Everest (29,028 feet), Nanda Devi (25,645 ft), Nun (24,410 feet), Trishul (23,360 feet), Sesarkangri, Choroyu, Black Peak (21,390 feet), Nanda Khat (21,690 feet), Kedar Dome (22,410 feet), Mana, Koktang, Menthosa, Miyar, Arjuna, Bobang, Nanda Bhanr, Baljuri, Pancha Chuli, Demodekhani, Tharkot, Jogin-III, Satopanth, Bhagirath, Baby Shivling, Bandar Punch, Thehe, Raktabana, Pinnacle Peak, Jonoli, Rudugaira, Maiktoli, Phabran, Gyasin-III. BC Roy Peak and many more unnamed peaks above 20,000 feet.

SSB mountaineers also attempted high-altitude passes at above 20,000 feet like Gorola, Nakula, Nuckluckla, Potla, Thulung (in Sikkim), Gorichen area in West Kameng in Arunachal Pradesh, Shipkila, Remiso, Keobrang, Shimdung, Khimokul pass between 8,000 feet to 20,000 feet, Gangotri, Gaumukh, Nandanban, Basukital, Kailindikhat (20,200 feet), Arwatal, Ghastoli and Mona in Uttar Pradesh, Namik, Kunwari Khal, Rontikhal, Roopkund, Joragali, Nite Valley, etc, in Uttarakhand.

UNI