Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 08, 2010::
The final leg of the first North East Pre-Everest expedition to Mount Nepal peak (7169 meters) lying on the Sikkim Himalayas range was flagged off by Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today.
On May 22, 2008 Manipur's Nongmaithem Suraj, a Central Government employee, stood atop Mt Everest becoming the first man from the whole North East region excepting Sikkim to scale the highest peak in the world.
Fourteen persons, including four women from different States of the region are part of the expedition being organized under the aegis of Indian Mountaineering Foundation, New Delhi and sponsored by the North Eastern Council (NEC), Shillong in collaboration with Sikkim Mountaineering Association, Gangtok.
The team is planning to scale Mount Nepal peak on September 25. On Sunday, YAS Minister N Biren Singh flagged off the expedition from the premises of Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association (MMTA) amid a glittering function attended by top army and civil officials and adventure sports lovers.
Team leader and MMTA president L Surjit Singh said in the presence of Sikkim Tourism Minister, Tourism Secretary among other officials, Chief Minister of Sikkim Pawan Chamling flagged of the final leg of the expedition from his office secretariat premises on today.
A message sent by Surjit said the team is supposed to scale the peak between September 24 and 26.The expedition is aimed at Mt.
Everest Expedition 2011 being planned by the association, he said.
Also the govt spokesman, Biren assured assistance in the future plans of MMTA including Mount Everest expedition.