Mission Seven Summits: Indian Air Force Conquers Seven Summits

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has scaled seven highest peaks in every continent as part of its mountaineering expedition Mission Seven Summits. With this it became first organisation in India to achieve this unique feat.
The feat was achieved after team comprising five IAF mountaineers, led by Gp Capt RC Tripathi successfully scaled Mount Vinson in Antarctica, thus completing the assigned Mission. Mt Vinson is located 1200 km from the South Pole. It is the highest peak in Antarctica at 4,892 metres and one of the renowned “Seven Summits.” It is 21 km long and 13 km wide and lies within the Sentinel Range of the Ellsworth Mountains.

Background

After scaling of Mt Everest in 2005, IAF launched unique and unprecedented series of mountaineering expedition ‘Mission Seven Summits’. The mission aimed to fly tricolour and IAF flag on the highest peaks in every continent.
IAF always has promoted adventure activities among its personnel. In 2011, IAF’s women expedition had scaled Mt Everest successfully and in 2017 joint IAF-BSF women camel expedition covered 1386 Km distance along western border in 47 days. IAF is also committed to the cause of environment and in September 2017, IAF expedition to Mt Stok Kangri (Himalayas in Ladakh region of north-west India), restored the environment at base camp.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2017