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B.Shekhar Babu
Mountaineer from Hyderabad reaches the highest mountain in Africa
Hyderabad|India|November 2010:
Mr.Bachinepally Shekhar Babu working as a Manager (Adventure &
Eco-Tourism) in Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Ltd
has successfully reached the Summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro (Uhuru peak)
in Tanzania. This is the highest mountain in Africa and world’s
highest free standing mountain. APTDC had sponsored his expedition.
Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, located in
Northeast Tanzania, near the Kenya border. Kilimanjaro is an extinct
volcano, and is one of the most massive in the world. It towers
above the surrounding arid plains, and 2.5 square miles of its
surface are over 19,344 feet.
Mt.Kilimanjaro, with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi, and
Shira, is an inactive stratovolcano in north-eastern Tanzania at
5,893meters or 19,334ft above sea level (the Uhuru Peak / Kibo
Peak). Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest freestanding mountain as
well as the 4th most prominent mountain in the world, rising 5,882
metres or 19,298 ft from the base.
Bachinepally Shekhar Babu has chosen an unusual sport to pursue and
the list of his achievements in this sport is equally extraordinary.
The 28-year-old Shekhar is the First Indian to have climbed Mt
Everest as an individual– (on completely individual efforts)–ie only
with a sherpa and not as part of any team and with out any
institutional support. He is also the First Indian to have climbed
two highest peaks above-8,000-metres-in-height within a record time
of four months.
Shekhar babu, a mountaineer from Andhra Pradesh has born on 9th
September 1980 in a remote village of Nakrekal Mandal in Nalgonda
District, completed Basic Mountaineering Course from HIM, Darjeeling
in March 2002 and Advance mountaineering course (was a course
senior)from NIM, Uttarkashi in October 2002 with “A” grade. He was
also trained as a Liaison Officer by Indian Mountaineering
Foundation in December 2002.
In the month of May 2003 he led an expedition (planned and organized
by him only) to Mt. Imja Tse (Island peak) 6,160mt, in Everest
region along with selected members from North, South, East and
Western regions of India. Also he participated in Alpine Climbing
Course organized by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation in
September 2003.
In 2004 he planned, led and successfully completed the First Indian
winter mountaineering expedition to Mt. Chulu West (6,419mt) in
Annapurna Region along with selected members from all over India.
The young man who has brought laurels both to his state and country
through his mountaineering feats is also academically
well-qualified. He has a Bachelors of Computers Applications (BCA)
degree from Osmania University and an MSc(IT) degree from Madras
University. After his post-graduation, Shekhar worked in Sangam
Dairy at Guntur from Sep 2004 to March 2005 and helped in setting up
their entire software programme for Computerization of the entire
Milk Dairy activities. Later, he joined the Andhra Pradesh Tourism
Development Corporation (A State Govt. Undertaking) in March 2005
where he is currently working as Manager (Eco-Tourism) in Projects
wing.
During the Autumn 2005, Shekhar has planned a mountaineering
expedition to Mt. Cho Oyu (8,201mt) world 6th highest mountain, in
which he reached till the height of 8,100 mt with out oxygen where
his Sherpa, Mr. Passang Sherpa was severely effected with snow
blindness. From this point (100mt. below from the summit) he left
the ascent to the summit and brought his sherpa down to Camp-III.
From here with the help of other members he brought him down to the
Base Camp and abandoned the expedition for which he was appreciated
by all expedition teams at base camp. He was also felicitated by
local authorities for his humanism outlook.
In 2006, he completed the MOI (Method of Instruction) course from
the prestigious institute of India i.e. Nehru Institute of
Mountaineering, Uttarkashi with “A” grade.
Everest Summit:
On 5th June 2007 he reached the summit of Mt. Everest (world’s
highest peak) on completely his individual efforts. He planned the
expedition on his own and reached the top along with one Shepra.
Also he was not part of the any team and with any institutional
support. He presented and shared his experiences with adventure
associations in India when he came back from the expedition.
Again in October 2007, he returned to Hyderabad after bagging
another victory to his credit with an ascent of Mt. Cho Oyu
(8,201mt) and Mt Shishapangma aka Gosaitan (8,027mt) becoming the
first Indian to do so within four days that too in alpine style. He
is also the First Indian to have ascended Mt. Everest, Mt.Cho Oyu &
Mt. Shishapangma as an individual.
In 2008 he has attempted Mt. Makalu (8,463mt) world 5th highest.
From Camp – III (7,300mt) he has to turn back as his Sherpa got
injured in landslide area. He is only the member of the expedition
team so he has to do the arrangements for Heli rescue etc.
His sporting accomplishments include NCC Cadet Course from 1997 -
2000 where an interest for mountaineering was first kindled in him;
Shekhar has also addressed the gatherings at several adventure
clubs, rural youth and corporate groups on the subject to generate
interest and also to share his experiences and knowledge on scaling
techniques.
Having ascended such commendable heights at such a young age, the
hardworking, committed, sincere, sharp and shrewd Shekhar looks
forward to climb many more peaks in the near future and wishes to
set new records. He can be contacted at Mob: 9848124092 and accessed
through Email—shekhar.babu@gmail.com
Honored by Govt. of Nepal
On Everest day Celebration i.e. 29th May 2009, Nepal Government has
felicitated Mr. Bachinepally Shekhar Babu for his achievements in
field of mountaineering with ‘Everest Medal’. The medal was
presented by the Mountaineering wing of the Ministry of Tourism,
Govt. of Nepal in association with Nepal Mountaineering Association
and Everest Summiters Association.
He also received the Tenzing Norgey National Adventure (at par with
Arjun) Award from the President of India at Rashtapathi Bhavan on
29th August 2009.
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