The aim of the expedition is to honour legendary Polish climber Wanda Rutkiewicz, who was last seen alive while climbing Kanchenjunga on May 13, 1992.
It is not known if she reached the summit. Her body has not been found. She was 49 at the time.
The expedition brings together both experienced and amateur climbers aged between 21 and 55. It was organized by the Wandalistki Foundation, which is named after Rutkiewicz.
Its stated mission is to support female professionals in their ambitious climbing projects and amateurs taking their first steps in the mountains.
The members of the expedition plan to cover a route of about 200 km in 20 days and are planning to reach the Kanchenjunga base camp on October 16, the 44th anniversary of Rutkiewicz’s ascent of Mount Everest.
Rutkiewicz was the first woman to reach the summit of K2 and the first European woman to climb Mount Everest.
Last year, the Polish parliament passed a resolution to commemorate the 30th anniversary of her death and designated 2022 as "Year of Wanda Rutkiewicz."
(mk/gs)