NEW DELHI: Col Avtar Singh Cheema the first summiteer amo ng nine who scaled Mt Everest in 1965 passed away on Nov 15 at Bombay.
The veteran mountaineer was suffering from blood cancer. He was cremated at Ganganagar, where he was residing,
Col Cheema with many successful climbs to his credit had participated in several mountaineering expeditions. He had climbed Panchchuli Il, IV and V peaks all in one day and Rathong in 1964.
A keen trekker he had also trekked extensively in Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal, Kumaon, Garhwal, Spiti, Lahaul, Kashmir and La dakh. His other interests included skiing and sea diving.
A graduate of DSSCF, Welling ton, Col Cheema joined the Indian Military Academy in 1950 and was commissioned into the first parachute regiment in 1960.
After long years of service in the Army Col Cheema opted for pre mature retirement and worked as a principal of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling.
During his years in the Army he was awarded the Padma Shri and Arjuna Award the Sena Medal Vishisht Seva Medical COAS Commendation Card and IMF silver medal. Col Cheema was also a member of the IMF a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, London apart from being closely associated with the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering and the Punjab. Mountaineering Foundation.
The sponsoring committee of the IMF in its meeting condoled the demise of Col Cheema. The meeting was chaired by Capt Kohli, president of IMF.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 1, 1989
