New Delhi:The Indian Navy team has done the unthinkable! The Indian team reached the geographic North Pole at 2016 Hrs (local time) on the night of 9th April 2008. Having created many a records in the past including the successful ascent of Mt. Everest in 2004 and ski traverse to the geographic South Pole in 2006, the team of ten officers and men of Indian Navy set out for a historic ski traverse to The North Pole at 90° North. The team reached North Pole yesterday night, thereby doing India and Navy proud. They became first ever Indian Team to have successfully ski traversed to both the geographic poles. With this extraordinary feat, three of the ten members would have also joined the elite club to successfully complete the "Three Poles" Challenge.
The Three Poles Challenge includes successful traverse to the North Pole, South Pole and ascent of Mt. Everest, considered to be the third pole. By far, this is regarded as amongst the most daring feats in the genre of adventure sports.
Commencing 02 April the team progressed to the desired goal facing numerous challenges enroute. The ski traverse to the North Pole was replete with hazards of high winds, freezing temperatures, polar bears, water leads, pressure ridges and variable sea drift. Heavy Odds not withstanding, the navy’s mavericks have created history. The spirit of selfless desire to achieve such a feat for the country and the navy is in keeping with the highest traditions.
The team members exuded pride, exemplary motivation & great emotion during the Phone-in ceremony. The team was congratulated by Vice Admireal Sekhar Sinha, Controller of personnel service, who also conveyed the felicitation message on behalf of Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sureesh Mehta. The team leader then interacted over the phone with members of the media and described in details the surroundings, details of the traverse and the elation felt on having achieved the rare feat.
The team had earlier, left India on 24 th of Mar 08 and commenced the first leg of their journey at Oslo, capital of Norway. From Oslo the team flew to Longyearbyen and then onwards to the Arctic Ice Cap. Interestingly, Longyearbyen has the northernmost airport in the world and is the main township of the Svalbard group of islands. Greater details would be available when the Heroes return back and share their wonderful experiences.
*Records Attempted:
1. 1st Indian team to Ski Traverse to the Geographic North Pole
2. 1st Indians to complete the Three Pole Challenge
3. 1st Indian Everest Summiteers to the South and North Pole
4. First organization in the world to complete the Three Poles
The team was led by Cdr Satyabrata Dam. Lt Cdr Avinash Khajuria, Surg Lt Cdr Ajay Sharma, MCERA Rajkumar, Petty Officer Medical Assitants Rakesh Kumar and Vikas Kumar, Brijendra Singh, SEA I PT II, LME Ramendra Pandey, Manoj Vats and Sonam Tamchos are part of the 10-member expedition team. Commander Satyabrata notably has been the leader of the previous two successful expeditions to Mount Everest and South Pole also.
