Context:
The ‘Soul of Steel’ challenge launched in the forward areas of Garhwal Himalayan region in Joshimath, Uttarakhand, by a group of special forces veterans has entered the final phase of training.
About Soul of Steel:
Soul of Steel Himalayan challenge- a joint initiative by Indian Army and CLAW Global was flagged off from Auli, Uttarakhand.
It is a three months long skill and endurance challenge to test an individual’s high-altitude endurance.
It is the world’s first self-sustained, high-altitude challenge at such glaciated and snow bound terrains.
It is modelled on the lines of the ‘Ironman triathlon’ long-distance triathlon challenge in Europe which tests an individual’s grit and endurance.
The general area of the expedition is the Nanda Devi national park which has several 7,000 feet plus peaks.
It encompassed 12 weeks of training where participants from across India were trained in self-sustained style of mountaineering, survival, self-defence, navigation and emergency medicine to become self-sufficient.