Padma shree Mountaineer Premlata Agarwal today said her expedition to Mt Mckinley, also known as Mt Denali, was the most difficult, compared to six other peaks she has conquered.
A mother of two daughters, Agarwal achieved a world record when she became the first Indian and oldest woman to conquer all the seven peaks across the continents after she successfully climbed Mt Mckinley (6194 meters) in North America on May 23.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion of her felicitation by Tata Steel here, Agarwal said the expedition of Mt Mckinley was the most difficult one compared to other six expeditions including the world's highest peak Mt Everest which she conquered on May 20, 2011.
"The weather condition in North America was unpredictable, rough and unsuitable on both the occasions. I had to spend nine days in camp no.3 because of the weather, which turned from bad to worse and temperature plummeted to negative," she said recollecting that even the mountaineers from across the globe were forced to return to the camp.
Agarwal said she did not want to abandon the expedition like last time and was determined to continue despite the prevailing weather condition but her woman guide had compelled her to return.
At one point of time, Agarwal said she thought she would not return alive but was confident to scale the last peak at any cost.
Apart from the weather conditions, the other problem was that no porter was available and she had to carry 50 to 60 kgs of weight (food, fuel, oxygen cylinder etc) on her back, she said.
"I was determined to climb this time because I had to return only 700 feet from the summit last year because of the rough weather condition," she said.
Appreciating Tata Steel as well as her mentor Bachendri Pal, chief of Tata Steel Adventure Foundation-cum-first woman to conquer Mt Everest, Agarwal said the feat could not have been achieved had the private steel major, family members and friends extended all support.
Dy Vice-president (Corporate Services) of Tata Steel, Sunil Bhaskran appreciated Agarwal for her dedication and hard-work to become a icon for many.
"Your achievement has not only made the country proud but also inspire many people to take up adventure sports for years to come," he added.
