Mamata Banerjee gets towering gifts – from the Himalayas

Kathmandu, May 21 (IANS) When Elizabeth II was being crowned in London in 1953, the celebrations received an extra boost with the news arriving in London that Mt Everest had fallen with Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa becoming the first men to reach its 8,848-metre summit.

In an almost parallel situation, as feisty Trinamool leader Mamata Banerjee took oath of office and became the first woman chief minister of West Bengal, the mighty Himalayas bestowed gifts galore on her with four climbers from West Bengal conquering towering peaks and enhancing the image of her state.


Two men from Joypurbil in West Bengal’s Howrah district made the state proud Saturday by summiting Mt Everest as an individual initiative.


Rajib Bhattacharya, a 38-year-old small-time businessman from Howrah, walked tall as he stood on the world’s highest peak at 9.55 a.m., accompanied by his mountain guide Phurbu Sherpa from Nepal.


About two hours later, his travelling and mountaineering friend Dipankar Ghosh, 46, also reached the summit with his Sherpa guide Kama Sherpa, said Loben Sherpa of Loben Expeditions.


The number 13 proved lucky for the two Howrah heroes who are part of a 13-member expedition that also includes climbers from Australia, Japan, Brazil, Denmark and Sweden.


Sharon Cohrs, a 40-year-old Australian who is part of the expedition, will become the first breast cancer survivor to ascend Mt Everest. She is climbing to raise funds for research as well as raise awareness about the killer disease.


Earlier, a double bonanza for West Bengal came from another pair of bravehearts from Krishnanagar, Basanta Sinha Roy and Debashish Biswas.


Roy, 50, and Biswas, 40, summited Mt Kangchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world after Mt Everest and K2.


‘They reached the 8,586-metre summit Friday, the day Mamata Banerjee took her oath as the new chief minister of West Bengal,’ Loben Sherpa said.


‘It was a great gift for the new government with the feat enhancing West Bengal’s image as a land of intrepid climbers and adventurers.’


It was all the more remarkable since the duo had summited Mt Everest last year.


While Sinha Roy is an employee of Punjab National Bank, Biswas is an Income-Tax official in Kolkata.


Though after their achievement last year, they were felicitated by the then Left Front government in the presence of erstwhile chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, the two men had raised the funds needed for the expedition mostly on their own, taking personal loans that they could pay off only this year.


It has been an incredible mountaineering year for the individual Indian climber with 17 people trying to summit Mt Everest on their own and many succeeding. While Haryana leads the way with the majority of the aspirants from there, Orissa, Jharkhand and Arunachal Pradesh have also made their mark.

LOBEN EXPEDITIONS NORTH EVEREST UPDATE

Loben Expedition North Everest Expedition member  Anny Kvithyll with Ang Tashi Sherpa and Nagda Sherpa left for summit from North side last night. 
Confirmation of her summit will be reach to us by today evening as we are unable to have satellite connection to ABC of Everest North. 

MT. EVEREST SOUTH - SUMMIT

The team of two members Rajib Bhattarcharya and Dipankar Ghosh along with Climbing Sherpas- Furba Sherpa, Karma Sherpa and BC cook Buddhi Magar become the Second Bengal Civilian team to  conquer Mt. Everest this morning. 

As per Buddhi Magar over BC cook: Rajib Bhattarcharyya and Furba Sherpa reached the summit of Mt. Everest at around 10:05 a.m. Dipankar and Karma reached the summit at around 11:20 a.m.

They are all fine and are on the way back to south summit. 

They stared climbing from Base camp for camp II on the 18 of May spend night at camp II  on 18^th May, reached Camp III on 19^th May. They reached south col on May 20, 2011 at around 11: a.m. and after a rest of less than 10 hours they started for final summit bid in the night of 20^th May at 09:00 pm.

Bengal 2 scale Kanchenjungha

Saturday , May 21 , 2011- The Telegraph, Kolkata, India

Darjeeling/Behrampore, May 20: On a day Mamata Banerjee climbed to the seat of power in Writers’ Buildings, Basanta Singha Roy and Debashis Biswas became the first Bengalis to scale Mount Kanchenjungha, the third highest mountain in the world.

Basanta, 50, an employee with a nationalised bank, and Debashis, 40, an income-tax official, climbed the peak, braving strong winds and unstable weather. The duo stood at the top of the mountain at 7.40am, along with three Sherpa brothers, Passang Pusur Sherpa, Pemba Chhoti Sherpa and Ang Tashi Sherpa.

Loben Sherpa of the Kathmandu-based Loben Expeditions told The Telegraph via e-mail that the five-member team had started the ascent from the summit camp about 6am today. “At 7.40am, Pemba informed the base camp over walkie-talkie that they had reached the top and all of them were fine. This was relayed to me via sat phone by Lila Rai from the base camp around 7.50 am,” said Loben. 


The expedition was organised by Loben Expeditions.

“Basanta and Debashis were the first from Bengal to conquer Mt Kanchenjungha. They were also the first civilian Bengalis to summit Mt Everest (29,029 feet) in May last year,” said Loben. He also said the three Sherpas were the first brothers to have climbed the peak together.

Both Basanta and Debashis, who work and stay in Calcutta, are members of the Mountaineering Association of Krishnagar in Nadia district. Even though people were glued to the television sets for Mamata’s swearing-in at Raj Bhavan, there were scenes of celebrations in Krishnagar. Members of the association, who received the news at 7.45am, announced the feat to the residents of town through loudspeakers.

“They had started the expedition from here (Krishnagar) on March 28 and 368 days after conquering Mt Everest, they were on top of Kanchenjungha that stands at 28,169 feet. They had scaled Mt Everest on May 17, 2010. No mountaineers have climbed two peaks in a gap of 368 days,” said Arup Sarkar, a member of the association.

A large number of people came to the association office to offer congratulations.

“There were phone calls also as people felt very happy about the achievement,” said Sarkar. He added that Kanchenjungha was conquered last by a British-American team in 1998.

Basanta and Debashis climbed from the Nepal side of the mountain. Climbing is banned on the other side that falls in Sikkim as the mountain is considered a holy place in the hill state.

Everest South side - update 20-May-2011

Dipankar, Rajiv, Karma and Furba of our second Bengal Everest Expedition reached South Col at 10:00 a.m this morning from Camp III. After a rest of more than 06 hours, the team are now heading toward the summit of Mt. Everest with a target to reach the top by tomorrow morning before 07:00.... Friend and family look forward for good news from the top................ 

MT. KANCHENJUNGA - FINALLY SUMMIT

Beside strong wind and unstable weather, Loben Expeditions Bengal Kanchejunga Expeditions summit the third highest peak in the world at 07:40 a.m. today. They started climbing from summit camp at 06:00 p.m yesterday and reach the summit at 07:40 a.m. this morning. Pemab walkie -talkie Lila (BC cook) form the the top- they said we are fine and we are all (Basanta, Debasis, Passang, Pemba and Tashi) on the top. Message relay to us at 07:50 via satellite phone from Baase camp by Lila Rai. 

Basanta Sigha Roy and Dibasish Biswas is the first persons to climb Mt. Kanchejunga from Kolkata via South side. They also become first persons to climb Mt. Everest from Kolkata last year with Loben Expeditions.

Passang Futur, Pemba Chotti and Tashi are probably the first three brothers to climb and stood together on  Mt. Kanchenjunga. 

EVEREST SOUTH SIDE - UPDATE

Dipankar and Rajiv along with Karma and Furba reached Camp III this morning at around 10:00 a.m. They will be heading toward South Col. tomorrow morning at 06:00 a.m After a rest/sleep for 6-7 hours at South Col. they will start for Mt. Everest summit at around 07:00 p.m. They are expected to reach the summit by 06:00 a.m. in the morning of 21th May. 

KANCHENJUNGA EXPEDITON UPDATE -17 MAY 2011

Basanta, Debasish, Pemba, Passang and Tashi started to climb toward summit but due to high wind and snowfall they had to return back to summit camp. They may try again tomorrow. 

NAR PHU TO JOMSOM VIA KHANGLA AND MESHOKANTHA PASS

Loben Expeditions - Khangla pass and Meshokanta pass team successful cross Khangla pass besides heavy snowfall along with 13 team members from Ukraine, 10 staff and 25 porters. The team is the first one in the season to successful cross the pass, the team however has to alter the idea of crossing Meshokanta pass via Tilicho lake toward Thorong la due to heavy snowfall. Kangla pass is the only pass that access to Nar region via Manang. Nar phu is still very remote region within the close proximity of world famous Annapurna trek.The region of Nar Phu falls between the Annapurna and Larkya pass. 

LOBEN EXPEDITIONS - EVEREST NORTH (TIBET) UPDATE

Loben Expeditions Everest North expeditions: Anny and Sherpas climbed up to 7500m as acclimatization trip two weeks ago and now waiting for route fixed up to summit. Route fixing is under the contract of  Tibet Association of mountaineering. Due to heavy snow and strong wind it is still incomplete. Hopefully all the expeditions sherpa will have join effort to complete this job in next couple of days before the clients start summiting Mt. Everest from North side. Anna, was stuck for two days at Tingri in the middle of nowhere as Everest Base camp was suddenly closed for couple of days, she however manage to get back to Base camp. 

Mt. Everest expedition update- 16 May 2011

Loben Expeditions Bengal Everest team - Dipankar and Rajiv heading for Camp I tomorrow i.e. 17 May along with  Furba and Karma. They will be sleeping in camp I on 17th May and heading for Camp II on 18 May. They are planned to summit Mount Everest on the morning of 21th May 2011. The team had to retreat back to base camp on May 14 from Camp III after strong wind at Camp III and above. "Message from Base camp said :   we are fine and back to base camp due to strong wind we are heading back on May 18 to get to top on the morning of May 21". 

KANCHENJUNGA EXPEDITON UPDATE -16 MAY 2011

A quick from Mt. Kanchenjunga BC- all the our team (Loben Expeditions Bengal Kanchenjunga Expedition)  heading for Camp II  with a target to reach the summit on the 20th of May. Lila said over phone : sabai thik cha yeaha, sabai team haru May 20 ko summit plan gara ra, camp II ga ko cha. (Everthing is fine here, all team has moved to camp with a plan to summit on May 20. 

LOBEN EXPEDITIONS EVEREST UPDATE

Dipankar, Rajiv and Karma left for camp III this morning from Camp II. They will sleep at Camp III today and will continue for South Col. tomorrow morning. Furbar will go directly from Camp II to Camp IV tomorrow. Four of them are planned to start for summit tomorrow evening from South Col.   

KANCHENJUNGA EXPEDITON UPDATE

The team members and Sherpa are back in Base camp, they had return back to Base camp after heavy wind on the mountain. The team next plan is to climb from Base camp to Camp III all together with Sherpas (Pemba Chotti, Passang Futar and Tashi) set up summit camp and attempt the summit...... follow more update  

Manaslu Korea: Mission Accomplished

Posted: May 09, 2011 01:04 am http://www.explorersweb.com/air/news.php?id=20134

(Newsdesk) The Korean 2011 "For Freedom 2011 Manaslu expedition" mission was twofold: find the remains of Yun Chiwaon and Park Haeng Su and summit. Now it has been accomplished.

Last week, Fishtail Air issued a press release stating that the operation had recovered Park Heangsu from Manaslu 6400 meters by Fishtail Air’s AS350 B3+ helicopter.

"Park Haeng Su along with his friend were on their way up to the summit of Mt. Manaslu last year when they experienced harsh weather," said the report. "As a result of a white out they lost their way and called for rescue. Fishtail Air’s immediate search for them proved futile." 

"This year his body was found by the Sherpas and brought down to Camp II. Fishtail Air was once again given the responsibility of recovering the body from camp II to Kathmandu where his family and friends were awaiting for a better farewell."

Today Loben Sherpa, expedition organizer for the expedition shot over further news to ExplorersWeb that Mr. Kim Migaon, Mr. Sanu Sherpa & Mr. Chinjung Bhota made the summit of Mansalu this morning (09 May 2011) at 06:10 a.m.

Loben also wrote that the expedition team found Park Haeng Su at an altitude of 7500 meters. "His body was carried down to camp II with the help of our Sherpa team and brought down to Kathmandu from Camp II (6400m) by Fishtail helicopter," Loben said.

The body will be cremated in Kathmandu on May 13 as per Korean and Buddhist ritual ceremony.

The search is now on also for Yun Chiwaon, Loben said.

AT AIRPORT - PREPARING FOR RESCUE

KYASHAR 2011 EXPEDITION - UPDATE

Just had a text in from Andy and Nick (see below)....unfortunetly its bad news the weather hasn't improved so the guys have had to bail on their attempt and are now on their way back to Kathmandu. 

"Hi Dunk, we've been shut down by unsetttled weather and too much snow up high, its been over 2 weeks since we had the last snow free day, with no chance of getting on the South pillar we tried the easier West ridge but got hammered by the weather. We went a different way to the first ascent team found some very 'exciting' (very scary) climbing. There was way too much snow to make any progress on the upper ridge so bailed next morning. Should be back in Kathmandu in a week Nick and Andy"

MANASLU EXPEDITION -2011

News came all the way from the top of Mt. Manaslu that Mr. Kim Migaon, Mr. Sanu Sherpa & Mr. Chinjung Bhota  of "FOR FREEDOM 2011 MANASLU EXPEDITION" successful summit Mt. Mansalu this morning (09 May 2011) at 06:10 a.m.

The expedition main objective was to search the bodies of YUN CHIWAON and PARK HEANGSU, who disappear and died during 2010 Spring Manaslu expedition. The team has successfully searched and found the body of Mr. PARK HEANGSU at an altitude of 7400m. His body was carried down to camp II with the help of our Sherpa team and brought down to Kathmandu from Camp II (6400m) by Fishtail helicopter. Park Heansu body will be cremated in Kathmandu on May 13 as per Korean and Buddhist ritual ceremony.

Rest of the Sherpa team and member are now searching for the body of Mr. YUN CHIWAON   - Loben Sherpa  (Loben Expeditions/Trekking Camp Nepal)

LOBEN EXPEDITIONS - SPRING 2011

LE Mt. EVEREST -South side: 
Our Everest team are ready for summit attempt on MAY 14 morning. Team members are at Base camp and leaving for Camp II on May 10. Sherpa (Karma and Furba) reached Camp II today they will continue climbing to Camp IV to set up last camp, before the team arrives 


LOBEN EVEREST Expedition  -North Side: 

Anna - manage to reach base camp today after she was stuck at Tingri for 02 days. She is now in Base camp - happy and well acclimatize and ready for the summit. Sherpa's of Anna(Ngad and Ang Tashi) has already set up summit camp and now they are waiting for right window for summit bid.  are ready for summit attempt on MAY 13. All members are Base camp and Sherpa went up to Camp III to set up Camp IV for final preparation. Anna will starting climbing from Base camp tomorrow to ABC.

  

LE KANCHENJUNGA Expedition: 

Our Kanchenjunga expedition are going well at the same time - Pemba, Passang and Tahsi went up to camp IV two day back to set up summit camp and will be back to back tomorrow after that the final plan for Kanchenjunga summit will be made. The team of Kanchenjunga can be reach at 008821687701122. 

British Kyashar Expedition: 

Nick and Andy is back to base camp this morning after bad weather and lots of snow on the mountain they will decided whether to continue or not later.  

As per message from Palden

British Kusum Kangaru East Expedition: 

Graham and Ben is heading back to high camp tomorrow after couple of rest day in Base camp. As per 

message from Palden - base camp