Giving it his all. 32-year-old Prakash Chand, an Executive Engineer with the Oil and Natural Gas Commission from New Delhi, is on a mission.
He is training atop the pristine, untouched range of Panchachuli, in Pithoragarh District of Uttarakhand. What makes his training at -10 degrees, atop high altitude Himalaya peaks even more fascinating is the fact that Prakash is 100% visually impaired.
Being differently-abled has not kept the young lad from enjoying adventure sports like para-gliding and para-sailing, so why should mountaineering, be an exception? He asks me.
Looking for an operator or trainer to fulfil his ambitious dream was nothing short of an uphill task. With constant rejection for years, Prakash chanced upon Yogesh Garbiyal and Sheetal, both seasoned mountaineers, who have been trying to make Darma & Vyas Valley a hub for mountaineering training.
The duo took him under their wing and Prakash has just put behind him, 10 days training which involved use of mountaineering equipment and gears, carrying 10-15 kg load in -10 degrees. 7-8 hours of trekking on steep, snow terrain and gaining altitude.
About his student, Yogesh says, “He is a quick learner and understood the use of mountaineering gears in three days time, which is nothing short of a miracle.”
Speaking about his trainers, Prakash finds the perfect combination between the two, “While Yogesh Garbiyal is seasoned and mature, Sheetal is a hard task master, but a true motivator. I am sure I will hone my skills under their abled hands.”
Prakash’s itinerary for the next two years is in place. Multi-phased training sessions will demonstrate how his body responds to higher altitude, by testing his physical and mental ability to the limit.
Prakash is hopeful that Indian Mountaineering Foundation and Nehru Institute of Mountaineering will make an exception and take his training upward.
Like any mountaineers ultimate dream, Prakash Chand wishes to unfurl the tri-colour atop Mount Everest, in 2022.
