Everest at her feet

    • Malika Halder
    • Publish Date: Apr 17 2016 2:29PM
    • |
    • Updated Date: Apr 17 2016 2:29PM
Everest at her feet

Feisty Bachendri Pal on her inspiration, scariest moment and why outdoor education should be made part of curriculum

On May 23, 1984, she was literally on the top of the world. Bachendri Pal became the first Indian woman and fifth woman in the world to scale Mount Everest. She has battled innumerable difficult situations and has come face to face with death many a time. But the experiences have not left her either cynical or hardened. In fact, her love for the mountains has only grown and so has her thirst to return to that treacherous terrain. Now, she works with Tata Steel Adventure Foundation in Jamshedpur to introduce the steel city to the benefits of adventure and outdoor activities. She has been able to bring the young and the old, the able bodied and the specials in direct contact with nature.

Tell us about your inspiration. How did your career shape up?

Higher education was my first goal. However, a master degree along with BEd did not solve my problem as I was at home with no job. But, I am never the one who would give up easily. Besides, the curiosity to know about the smart young boys and girls trekking from near my village up the high route to Yamunotri was there since I was a child. Little did I know that this curiosity would act as a catalyst to take up a mountaineering course along with ‘another fateful incident’. It is during the period of my struggle, Col Prem Chand, the then vice-principal of Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), visited our village. He advised me to join the mountaineering course. From here my real journey kicked off. I performed outstandingly and soon received a letter from Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) that picked me for the Pre-Everest selection Expedition. My instructors had said, “Unless you give it a try, how will you ever know your true potential?” Convinced, I took up the advance mountaineering course.

How did your family react?

My decision to join the basic mountaineering course did not go very well with my family. At that time, mountaineering was considered an unusual sport. While preparing for the Pre-Everest Expedition, I combined household work with my fitness regimen and that drew my father’s attention. Carrying loads of stones on my back in a bag, I would climb the hill near my house. On return journey, I would then cut wood and carry it down for use in the house. My father was proud to see his daughter working hard to achieve something in life. Be that as it may, it was still a lonely struggle.

What were you feeling when you were a few steps away from Everest?

Beyond the South Summit or what is popularly known as Hillary’s step, the breeze increased. Strong winds whipped up the powder snow, reducing visibility to nil. It was terrifying to stand on a knife-edge ridge, with a sheer drop of thousands of feet on either side. Co-climber Ang Dorjee gesticulated me towards the top. I was thrilled. The goal was near. A few steps later I saw that after only a couple of metres there was no upward climb. My heart stood still. It dawned on me that success was within reach. At 1.07 pm on 23 May, 1984, I stood on top of the world.

Tell us one incident that scared you the most.

On Buddha Purnima of 15-16 May, 1984, I was at Camp III (24,000ft approximately) in Lhotse. I was sharing my tent with one Lopsang Tshering. Around 12.30 am I was shaken awake by a hard object followed by a loud explosion. I felt a extremely heavy mass was crushing me. I could hardly breathe. What had happened? A serac on the mountain had cracked, crashed down and developed into a massive avalanche that devastated our camp. Lopsang, who was able to make his way out of our tent, immediately began to rescue me. Delay would have meant death.

Where does India stand when it comes to adventure sports?

Facilities for mountaineering, trekking, rafting, parasailing need to be bettered. Unfortunately, we are yet to realise our full potential.

Should schools should start such courses?

Outdoor Education (OE) should be a part of the syllabus. Doon School has made it mandatory. The programme should aim to take students out of school and home environment where they learn to do things themselves, do activities like a team and learn new skills. It is very much needed for an overall personality development. They learn the value of effort and understand abstract concepts like courage, adjusting and adapting.

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Comments

Brenda Marshal PADUA HIGH SCHOOL-MANKHURD

I think that schools

Brenda Marshal PADUA HIGH SCHOOL-MANKHURD

I think that schools should start such courses because it may help the children in their further life if they choose such types of field in the future.. This may even keep one''s health safe...

gopi Sree Narayana Vidya Bhavan

Doon School has made it mandatory. The programme should aim to take students out of school and home environment where they learn to do things themselves, do activities like a team and learn new skills. It is very much needed for an overall personality development. They learn the value of effort and understand abstract concepts like courage, adjusting and adapting.

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