“When you're completely tired and feel like you can’t go forward, just put your head down and keep putting one foot in front of the other. Eventually, you’ll reach your summit." These words reflect the spirit of 17-year-old mountaineer Kaamya Karthikeyan, the youngest Indian and second youngest girl in the world to summit Mount Everest from the south side.
Kaamya’s journey began at the age of seven, with her first Himalayan trek alongside her mother. By 2017, she had climbed Ladakh's Mount Stok Kangri, setting in motion her mission to conquer the Seven Summits, the highest peaks on each continent.
Climbing Everest was a two-month expedition filled with challenges at every step. From crossing the famous and extremely difficult, Khumbu Glacier to waiting for the perfect weather window. On May 20th, 2024, she stood at the top of the world and became the youngest Indian to do so.
Beyond physical strength, Kaamya credits mental preparation and environmental awareness as keys to success.
Now, as part of Reliance Foundation, Kaamya is venturing into ski mountaineering, aiming to represent India and win medals on the global stage. Her next challenge? Climbing Mount Vinson Massif in Antarctica which will make her the youngest girl to complete the Seven Summits Challenge. With dreams of completing the Explorer’s Grand Slam, Kaamya continues to push boundaries, inspiring a generation to believe in their limitless potential.
Let’s cheer for Kaamya as she proves that no peak is too high when you dare to dream big!
The WinnHER CIRCLE Project is our annual initiative to nurture a culture of empowerment in sports. At the heart of this initiative lies our commitment to building an ecosystem that creates a ripple effect of parity in the playground. Through the stories of triumph, perseverance, and excellence shared by women in different sports, our aim is to inspire every woman and girl who dreams of stepping onto the field, court, track, or arena.