Tata Steel Adventure Foundation trio accomplishes Mission Everest 2018

Mumbai , May 21, 2018 The trio comprising Poonam, Swarnalata and Sandeep Toliya, successfully reached the Summit of Mount Everest this morning as part of the Mission Everest 2018. The mission, sponsored by Tata Steel, was organised by Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF).

Congratulating the TSAF cadets on this remarkable feat, Mr. Sunil Bhaskaran, Vice President, Corporate Services, Tata Steel said, “It’s a great achievement by the trekkers which showcases their indomitable spirit, zeal and grit. We at Tata Steel are proud to have been able to support them to realize their dreams. TSAF, through this unique endeavour, will continue to promote the adventure sports in the country.”

The Everesters had been undergoing training at the TSAF for the past one year. In February this year, they were sent to Mt. Aconcagua (Highest peak of South America & one of the 7 summits) as part of their training to provide them with climbing experience with international climbers. During the training, they faced turbulent weather, high altitudes and thin air with less oxygen, an experience like the Mt. Everest expedition.

The trio left Jamshedpur for Garhwal Himalaya on Feb 25, 2018 for another round of training under TSAF. This included a month-long training on the snow-covered mountains to get acclimatized to the cold conditions, heavy load carrying up and down the mountain slopes, and sleeping in tents.

Ms. Bachendri Pal, Chief, Adventure Programmes, Tata Steel is driving this spirit in people to be adventurous and enterprising. Over the years, apart from leading path-breaking expeditions, she has trained several people from different walks of life for Mt. Everest expedition. Speaking on the achievement of the 3 climbers, she said, “This feat shows the CAN-DO-SPIRIT which TSAF inculcates amongst the people. Tata Steel has been forthcoming in providing opportunities to make such dreams come true through the Tata Steel Adventure Foundation. Our congratulations to Poonam, Swarnalata and Sandeep Toliya.”

The details of the three climbers who have successfully reached the summit of Mt. Everest this morning are as follows:

a)  Poonam, 21 years old, has done Basic and Advance mountaineering courses and trekked to Everest Base Camp in April 2017. She hails from Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. Her life has been marred with tragedies. She lost her father when she was young, and later lost her mother and two brothers. She has been working with TSAF as camp in charge. TSAF has been organising courses in Uttarkashi for past ~30 years. Her achievement of scaling Mt. Everest is a matter of pride for the State of Uttarakhand.

b) Swarnalata Dalai, 20 years old, is from the state of Odisha. She has trekked to Everest Base camp, climbed Mt. Rudugaira and undergone various high-altitude treks in Himalayas. She is the first girl from Odisha to be sponsored by Tata Steel for Everest Expedition.

c) Sandeep Toliya has been working with TSAF for more than 10 years as Sr. Instructor. He has done Basic and Advance mountaineering courses, Method of instruction, Outdoor Educator Semester at National Outdoor Leadership Course, USA, trip leader course at NOLS, Ranikhet. He has climbed multiple peaks in Himalayas that include Mt Bhagirathi 2, Mt Rudugaira, Mt Kanamo, Stok Kangri, Karakoram Pass and trekked to Everest base camp. He is one of the instructors in TSAF’s outdoor leadership programmes for corporates and B-schools.