Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF) has postponed the FIT@50+ Women’s Trans Himalayan Expedition ’21 in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The expedition, organised in collaboration with the ministry of youth affairs and sports under the FIT India programme, was expected to be launched last month. But the premier adventure outfit, after having waited for a while, decided to postpone the expedition to March 2022.

Sources revealed that TSAF had planned to organise the expedition sometime later this year, but finally decided to postpone it to next year. "It would not be wise to organise the expedition this year. It would be a risky affair and it is better to play it safe and postpone it to next year. We are hopeful that the Covid situation should improve by next year," a TASF source said.

Hemant Gupta, head of TSAF, confirmed the expedition would be conducted in March next year. "It (expedition) is not possible this year," he said.

The unique expedition, which is being supported by Tata Motors and Tata Sports Club as drive and fitness partners respectively, was to be led by legendary climber Bachendri Pal. It has participants aged 50 and above from across India.

The team members have been drawn from across India comprising retired professionals and homemakers. The 10-member team also comprises three women Everest summiteers. The 5-month long expedition involves traversing the Himalaya from Arunachal to Karakoram Range (East to West) covering around 4,500 kms and cross about 40 mountain passes.

The expedition will conclude in the Leh-Ladakh region where the team will cross Khardungla (18,380 ft), Saser La (17,753 ft), Depsang La (17,869 ft) and finish at Karakoram Pass (18,175 ft).