Seventeen-year-old Kaamya Karthikeyan has set an extraordinary record by becoming the youngest girl to climb the highest peaks on all seven continents. On December 24, 2024, at 5:20 PM Chilean time (1:50 AM IST on December 25), Kaamya and her father summited Mt Vinson Massif, the highest peak in Antarctica. Sharing her excitement on Instagram, Kaamya wrote, "It has been a truly merry holiday season!!✨...With this climb, I’ve become the youngest female mountaineer in the world to complete the Seven Summits Challenge. It feels truly surreal... and it’s surely only the beginning of many more mountains to climb in the future."
Kaamya’s journey is inspiring, but it also makes us think about the immense physical and mental health challenges that come with high-altitude mountaineering. From battling extreme weather conditions to enduring oxygen deprivation, the climb demands extreme fitness and resilience.
Health Challenges Of Mountain Climbing
Mountaineering is one of the most gruelling physical endeavours, requiring climbers to adapt to high altitudes, freezing temperatures, and unsure terrain. Dr Shrey Kumar Srivastav, Senior Consultant and Physician at Sharda Hospital, Noida, exclusively explained to us the significant health challenges mountaineers face:
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1. Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), occurs due to lower oxygen levels at high altitudes and is one of the most common mountain climbing challenges. Symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. Dr Srivastava shared that severe cases can even lead to life-threatening conditions.
2. Frostbite and Hypothermia
Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can cause frostbite, leading to permanent tissue damage. On the other hand, hypothermia, which is caused by body heat loss, can impair mental and physical functions, increasing the risk of accidents.
3. Dehydration and Nutrition Challenges
Climbers often struggle to stay hydrated and maintain caloric intake during expeditions. High altitudes suppress appetite, while physical exertion increases energy demands.
4. Mental Fatigue
Mountain climbing involves isolation, a harsh environment, and constant focus which can lead to mental exhaustion. Maintaining mental clarity is critical for making safe decisions in life-threatening situations.
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Lessons From Kaamya’s Achievement
Kaamya’s accomplishment is a shoutout to rigorous preparation and determination. If you are an aspiring climber and adventure enthusiast, you can draw the following lessons:
Comprehensive training that includes cardiovascular, strength, and endurance exercises is essential.
Practices like meditation and visualisation can help build the focus and emotional strength needed for extreme conditions.
Regular medical evaluations ensure climbers are fit to handle the physical stress of mountaineering.
Investing in quality equipment and following a balanced diet with sufficient hydration is non-negotiable.
Professional guidance and support, such as that provided to Kaamya by sponsors like Vedica Spring, play a crucial role in success.
Bottomline
Kaamya’s success in completing the Seven Summits Challenge, which includes scaling Mount Everest (Asia), Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa), and Aconcagua (South America) has already placed her among mountaineering legends. However, her journey doesn’t end here. As she hinted in her Instagram post, this is just the beginning of a lifetime of adventures. Her story additionally also reminds us that with dedication, careful planning, and the right support, even the most daunting challenges can be conquered.