The devastating earthquake in Nepal has put a hurdle on city-based Hemant Gupta and Payo Murmu’s mission to scale Mount Everest. The adventurers from Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF), who were struck at Camp 1 (21,000 ft) on Saturday, returned to the base camp at about 12.15 on Monday. They were brought to base camp safely by a chopper located at an altitude of 17,700 ft.
“Yes both Hemant and Payo have reached the base camp. Both are safe and we are happy that they have reached safely, said an official of TSAF. Hemant (25), is an IITian from Mumbai and manager with the TSAF. He hails from Kota (Rajasthan) while Payo, who works at the Tata Steel’s loco traffic department, had left to Kathmandu on April 3. Payo is a mother of three sons and a resident of the New Baridih.
“They had spent two days in Kathmandu for equipment check and a bit of shopping before flying to lukla on April 6. It took them nine days to reach Everest base camp from lukla. Everest climbing period was scheduled between April 20 to 28 but now they have no choice but to return,” noted the official. TSAF secretary P P Kapadia informed that both Hemant and Payo have a personal accident insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh each. Besides, TSAF are also paying Rs 80,000 (for each) to a US-based agency for rescue and hospitalization.
Sources went on to inform that both the climbers will be returning to Jamshedpur as it will be difficult to attempt the Everest once again as weather is changing every day. “ As per our information it will take about 2-3 days for both to depart from the base camp. The people are in panic there so the adventurers are planning to return,” noted the official.
TSAF officials are also in touch with Kathmandu-based Asian Trekking Agency, to seek information about Hemanrt and Payo. Bachendari Pal, chief of Tata Steel adventure programmes, who trained Hemant and Payo had also accompanied Everest-bound Rajender Singh Pal, Meghlal Mahto and Binita Soren to Kathmandu in 2012. She perhaps knows about the kind of effort needed to scale the heights.
Addressing a press meet recently, Pal had said she was confident that Hemant and Payo would annex the Everest. “Both were adequately prepared for the challenge. We were confident that they would have succeeded in their attempt. Both have climbing experience and were adept to the conditions in mountains but the bad weather and natural calamity had put a hurdle in their mission. They will try to scale the Everest after weather improves,” added the official.