Giripremi Climbers seek to overcome funds crunch

Giripremi mountaineering group has appealed to corporate houses to provide financial help for the first-ever all-Puneite team’s expedition to the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest.  

“It is an effort that not only needs good preparations but also some amount of financial support from the city,’’ said Umesh Zirpe, leader of Pune Everest 2012.  

Talking to media persons last Friday, Zirpe said the expedition would kick off in March next year. This will not be just another attempt to climb the world’s highest mountain.

The attempt, when successful, will mark a national record as eight members from the all-civilian team of Giripremi mountaineering group would have set foot on Mount Everest.  

The club, a non-profit organisation, undertakes mountaineering activities and has scaled many mountain ranges in the past.  

Zirpe said that the expedition is entirely an all-Pune effort and hence special. “It will be an achievement which will make Puneites proud,’’ he said.  

“Apart from vigorous physical and mental conditioning, Giripremi is currently engaged in raising Rs3.25 crore, the estimated cost of the expedition,’’ Zirpe said.

“We appeal for support from corporate houses so that we can concentrate on our practice and achieve our goal.”

The group organised a promotional activity on August 20 at the assembly hall of Abasaheb Garware College at 6 pm.

Three Nepali sherpas interacted with people to throw light on mountaineering. A 40-minute film was also screened to inform people about the team’s preparation to scale the mountain.