Maken flags off 'Mountaineering Challenge' for Premlata

After scaling Mt. Everest (29,035 ft), Killimanjaro (19,334 ft) and Aconcagua (22,841 ft), the 45-year-old mountaineer is all charged up for her climb in the remaining four -- Mount Elbrus (Europe), Vinson Massif (Antarctica), Mount McKinley (North America) and Carstensz Pyramid (Indonesia).

Tata Steel is sponsoring her expedition and has sanctioned Rs 11 lakh for her remaining four summits.

"It gives me great pride to flag off another adventurous challenge of Premlata. Efforts of corporates like Tata Steel to support Indian sportspersons are laudable. Premlata's successful expedition would be unprecedented achievement for India. We wish her all the very best," said Maken.

The one who completes this challenge of conquering all seven summits is considered to be a 'Hall of Famer' among mountaineers.

If Premlata achieves this feat (she has given herself time till 2013), she will become the first Indian and the oldest woman to conquer the seven summits.

"My initiation in the field of adventure came by chance, and has been an uphill journey. I am looking forward to taste success by climbing all the seven summits. I would like to thank Tata Steel and my mentor for their support," she said.

The tentative dates to climb the summits are DENALI (May 20-June 12), ELBURS (July 15-28), Carstensz Pyramid (October 14-27), Mount Vinson (Dec 14-29).