Indian Air Force mountaineering expedition to Mount Denali

New Delhi, May 28(ANI): A seven-member team led by the Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander R.C. Tripathi is all set to take on the challenge of the next mountaineering expedition in the series of the ongoing Mission Seven Summit Mountaineering Project.

Teams of experienced and seasoned mountaineers of the IAF are undertaking mountaineering expeditions to the highest peaks of each of the seven continents.

This time, the team will be heading for its fourth expedition on May 31, and will attempt to hoist the tricolor on the peak of Mount Denali in Alaska, North America, a release stated.

On Friday, in a ceremony, organized at Air Headquarters in the national capital today, Air Marshal J.N. Burma, Air Officer-in-charge Administration, flagged-off the expedition and conveyed his best wishes for the success of the expedition.

Mount Denali, with a summit elevation of approximately 20,320 feet (6,194 m), is the second most difficult challenge for the team after Mount Everest in the Seven Summit quest.

The climb is almost 10,000 feet from the Base Camp as compared to Mount Everest, in which approximately 12,000 feet required to be trodden to reach the summit of the peak from the Base Camp.

Other experienced members of the team include Wing Commander Jaikishan, Squadron Leader Namit Rawat, Squadron Leader Devidutta Panda, Squadron Leader Rishi Sagar, Junior Warrant Officer Nikku Ram Chaudhary and Sergeant Jasbir Singh. (ANI)