Scaling new heights

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Trisuli West proves to be a difficult climb but success comes knocking for a team featuring five Bengalis

Trisuli West was ascended by a group of eleven on 12 June and the group included five members from Kolkata. This is a perfect tribute to the Himalayan Club, which started its 80th anniversary celebrations in February. The first time Unplugged tried to contact expedition team member Debraj Dutta, he was out of reach, perhaps still on the mountains. After a few more calls we tracked him down and this time he was at Joshimath. The expedition was organised by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation.
Dutta, in an excited voice said, “The expedition started on 22 May and here we are, after successfully climbing a difficult peak.” He points out that Trisuli West has a difficult approach. “In 2001 one team had successfully ascended and another climb was reported in 2007. Ours is an expedition led by civilians.” The other Bengalis in the team are Susanta Bhattacharya, Subrata Chakraborty, Gautam Datta and Gautam Saha. The team had to halt at numerous camps before reaching the top. “The journey for the 7,035 m climb was interrupted now and again by bad weather.” Camps were pitched at Bagini Glacier, the beginning of SW Ridge and then three others. “The day we reached the summit, the weather was quite pleasant, even though there was slight snowfall on the final day of the ascent,” he rounds off.
-- Mathures Paul

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