16-Year-Old Kaamya Karthikeyan Becomes Youngest Indian to Summit Mt. Everest

Kaamya Karthikeyan, supported by Tata Steel Adventure Foundation, achieves historic climb from Nepal side.

Kaamya Karthikeyan, at 16, successfully reached the summit of Mt. Everest, becoming the youngest Indian to achieve this feat from the Nepal side, with support from the Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF).

JAMSHEDPUR – Kaamya Karthikeyan, a 16-year-old mountaineering prodigy, triumphantly reached the summit of Mt. Everest on May 20, 2024. Supported by the Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF), she was accompanied by her father, Commander S Karthikeyan of the Indian Navy, who also completed the climb.

A Historic Climb

Kaamya trained under TSAF’s expert guidance and was part of their Mt Kang Yatse 1 expedition in August 2023. TSAF has supported 14 individuals to date in their quest to summit Mt. Everest. Kaamya’s journey is a testament to her perseverance, meticulous preparation, and unwavering determination.

Chanakya Chaudhary, Chairman of TSAF and Vice President of Tata Steel, expressed immense pride in Kaamya’s achievement, stating that her success reflects the core values of TSAF and serves as an inspiration to young adventurers.

The Everest Expedition

Kaamya and her team arrived in Kathmandu on April 6. Following extensive acclimatisation and strategic planning, they began their final summit push on May 16 from Everest Base Camp. Despite challenging weather conditions, the team progressed to Camp 2 on May 17, Camp 3 on May 18, and Camp 4 on May 19. The final ascent began at 4 am on May 20, with Kaamya and her guide, Lakhpa Nuru Sherpa, reaching the summit at 12:45 pm Nepalese Standard Time.

Throughout the expedition, Kaamya displayed exceptional fitness and resilience. Her successful climb was made possible by her rigorous training and the strategic decision-making of her experienced team.

Previous Achievements

Kaamya’s mountaineering journey began at a young age. At seven, she trekked to Chandrashila Peak, and by nine, she had summited Mt. Stok Kangri, becoming the youngest girl to climb above 20,000 ft. Her notable achievements include being the youngest girl to summit Mt. Aconcagua, the youngest person to ski down Mt. Elbrus, and the youngest non-American to summit Mt. Denali.

Kaamya’s accolades also include the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Shakti Puraskar, India’s highest national award for young achievers. Her mountaineering feats across six continents serve as an inspiration for young adventurers.

The following notable climbs of Kaamya to the highest points on six continents are truly inspirational for the young and emergent India: