It is a sad day for Arunachal Pradesh as despite all out efforts, the search and rescue for mountaineers Tapi Mra and his assistant Niku Dao was called off on Wednesday after almost 35 days since the duo went missing during their expedition to summit Mount Kyarii Satam in East Kameng district, which is one of the highest peaks in the state.
The 37-year-old Tapi Mra, was the first Arunachalee to conquer Mount Everest on 21 May, 2009, the highest peak in the world which is in the bucket list of all mountaineers. This was Mra’s fourth attempt to summit Mount Kyarii Satam. This peak, which is held sacred by the local community has never been conquered. On October 23, 1995, five members of an Indian expedition under the leadership of MP Yadav claimed to have succeeded in the first ascent of Kyarii Satam over the northeast ridge. However, it was later found that the team reached a point about 600 meters below the main summit, and the peak is still unclimbed.
Maybe the timing of the expedition could have been erroneous, however, mountaineers are a different class altogether. They are risk takers and thrive under extremely difficult conditions. Let’s not forget Mra, is the original superstar who’s summit of Mount Everest inspired many fellow Arunachalee mountaineers as evidenced from the fact that this frontier state now has several Everesters to boast about.
As the rescue efforts are called off, our thoughts are with the families of both mountaineers.