LUCKNOW, July 5, 2013: Unlike mountaineers and trekkers who climb the hills geared up for any eventuality, pilgrims and tourists go least prepared. In terms of challenge, a visit to the high altitude shrines of Kedarnath, Badrinath and Hemkunt Sahib, where hundreds of persons are stranded, is nothing short of a mountaineering expedition undertaken by a team of trained persons, who prepare themselves to face the worst weather and calamities. Unfortunately, most of the tourists have a tendency to tour to these places rather lightly, and in the event of weather turning inclement, it is the tourists who are left hungry and facing the vagaries of nature.

Speaking to TOI, Lieutenant Colonel Amit Bisht of Mahar Regiment, who led an expedition to Mount Trishul, said, "Most of the tourists do not bother to think about the inclement weather they may face while climbing or descending from the high altitude shrines. As a precautionary measure, the tourists must carry emergency ration, high calorie food items and adequate winter clothing, so as to ensure that weather does not take toll on their health." He stated further that he considered himself fortunate, as there was no casualty during the expedition and no cases of frostbite either.

Recalling the expedition, Bisht said, "During our 35-day expedition, avalanches were taking place. We were lucky as we were not caught in one of them. Twice we had to halt the expedition on the account of inclement weather. It was here that our intense training helped us find a solution to the ongoing crisis."

Despite returning back from the expedition, the team members are prepared mentally to aid and assist the army in its relief and rescue operation, as Bisht said, "We are ready to go back to Uttarakhand and assist fellow soldiers and officers in rescue operations."

In April 2013, the Red Eagle Division and Mahar Regiment jointly launched an expedition to Mount Trishul, which is located in the Garhwal Himalayas at a height of 7,120 metres above sea level. This feature was chosen as it was found worthy of the courage and resolve of the gallant soldiers. This massif has three peaks and resembles the trident of Lord Shiva, hence the name Trishul.

The expedition team, comprising 16 climbers and 8 support members was flagged off on April 26 from Lucknow. The team travelled through treacherous and inhospitable terrain to arrive at the advance base camp on May 13. The team began its climb establishing three more camps en route to the summit camp. Finally, on May 24, the two teams conquered Mount Trishul from the same route, putting 16 members on the summit on the same day, a record that no other mountaineering expedition has achieved so far.

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 5, 2013.