Myrthong becomes first M’laya woman to scale Mt Everest

By By Our Reporter On May 19, 2013

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: In what will go down as a moment of glory in the history of Meghalaya, 30-year-old Wansuk Myrthong from Shillong scaled the Mount Everest on Saturday, becoming the first woman from the State to achieve the feat.

Myrthong who is a constable with the 1st Meghalaya Police Battalion also became the first from Meghalaya Police and second from the State to reach the summit of Mt Everest.

Last year another Shillongite, Gary Jarman Lamare had become the first person from Meghalaya to conquer the 8,848 m mountain.

A resident of Lower Lumparing, Myrthong was part of the first North East India Mount Everest Expedition team which was flagged off by President Pranab Mukherjee at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on March 20.

Commandant of 1st MLP Battalion, Mawiong, A R Mawthoh informed that Myrthong climbed the peak at 8:30 am on Saturday.

“It is a rare achievement and a happy moment for us,” Mawthoh said.

An overjoyed aunt of the MLP constable, A Myrthong said the entire family is proud of her achievement.

“We are very happy and it is a proud moment for us and the entire State. We have not spoken to her yet and are waiting for her to

come back home,” said an elated A Myrthong.

Earlier, Myrthong was given a warm send off at Battalion HQ, Mawiong by the Commandant and other ranks of 1st MLP BN on March 13.

Enlisted in the Police department in 2006, Myrthong has undergone Basic Mountaineering Course at Mountaineering and Skiing Institute, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Auli, Uttarakhand securing impressive grades.

Myrthong participated in the pre-Everest Expedition on Kolahai Peak (5425 m) and in the High Altitude Physical Conditioning to Mt. Papsura (6451 m) in Himachal Pradesh organized by MMTA, Imphal.

She also participated in the 10th North East Zone Sports Climbing Committee held at Kangla Rock Wall at Minuthong, Manipur and was adjudged Best Senior Climber in the Women’s open category bagging two gold medals and one silver medal in the three events.