For the longest time, it was believed that only men could conquer the great outdoors, however, in the last few decades, women have achieved amazing feats and shut down such stereotypes. On February 1 2020, Kaamya Karthikeyan, a 12-year-old girl from Mumbai created history by climbing Mt. Aconcagua, the highest peak of South America. She is now the youngest girl in the world to scale the mountain!
Situated in the Principal Cordillera of the Andes mountain range in Argentina, Aconcagua shoots up to a massive height of 22,840ft. The expedition to climb Mt. Aconcagua is a highly difficult one that typically spans over a course of 12 days. With extreme altitude climbs, the mountain poses extremely difficult conditions such as harsh winds, heavy snow and of course, low oxygen levels. For a 12-year-old to prepare for such a challenging trek, overcome its grave threats and successfully summit is a massive achievement! Kaamya's adventurous spirit and dedication is an inspiration for all of us.
Wait, there's more inspiration in store!
If you're thinking that this is the only achievement in Kaamya's very colourful hat, there's even more impressive information in store for you.
Kaamya is also the youngest mountaineer to summit the mighty Stok Kangri situated at a whopping 20,190 ft. Stok Kangri is the highest mountain in the Stok Range of the Himalayas, and one of the most challenging mountains to climb in India.
After this, she also conquered Mt Mentok Kangri II, a lesser-visited mountain peak in Rupshu Plateau of eastern Ladakh that overlooks the pristine Tso Moriri.
In addition to this, Kaamya has already trekked to the Everest Base Camp in Nepal. In fact, she undertook the Roopkund Trek when she was just 9 years old!
What's her regimen like?
Climbing the highest and most difficult mountain peaks is not a day's job, it requires months and years of training and practice. Kaamya has been hiking since she was just three years old, and continued to pursue her passion thereon. To maintain fitness and stamina, she participates in adventure sports, long-distance cycling everyday and utilises her long weekends to go for half-day treks!
To top her awe-inspiring achievements, Kaamya is all set to complete the 'Explorer's Grand Slam', which involves the competitors to climb the tallest mountains in all continents in addition to skiing on the North Pole and South Pole!
If you're looking for sign to pursue your dream, let Kaamya's story be it. If a 12-year-old can work this hard, with such might and dedication, you too can put in a little extra effort and work towards your dream.
Kaamya's story is a wonderful reminder that no matter how high your goals may be, with the correct mindset, you can achieve them all. In her story lies an even bigger motivation for girls and women who're constantly restricted to certain roles and professions, and are not allowed to pursue interests that lie outside of their gender roles.
So dear reader, if you have a dream, do not let anyone stop you. You never kn0w what scales you're destined to reach!
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