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Dehradun: Uttarakhand’s daughter, Kavita Chand, has brought honour to the state and the nation by conquering Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica, at 4,892 meters. The 40‑year‑old athlete, originally from Almora and now living in Mumbai, successfully hoisted the Indian tricolor at the summit, marking a proud moment for India.
Her achievement is a major step toward her ambitious “Seven Summits” goal, which involves climbing the highest peaks on all seven continents. Kavita has already scaled Mount Elbrus (5,642 m), Europe’s highest peak, strengthening her journey toward completing this global challenge.
One of the world’s toughest peaks in world
Mount Vinson is considered one of the world’s toughest peaks due to extreme cold, strong winds, and unpredictable Antarctic weather. Climbers face long periods of solitude and harsh conditions, making the expedition a true test of endurance and discipline.
She traveled by ski‑equipped aircraft to Vinson Base Camp
Kavita’s journey began on December 3, when she departed from India. She reached Punta Arenas, Chile, on December 4, and flew to Union Glacier on December 7. From there, she traveled by ski‑equipped aircraft to Vinson Base Camp at 2,100 meters altitude.
The expedition was led by renowned high‑altitude guide Mingma David Sherpa. Kavita was part of a nine‑member Indian team, supported by experienced mountaineer Bharat Thammineni and his company Boots & Crampons. Through proper acclimatization, strong strategy, and teamwork, the group successfully completed this difficult climb.
It was a moment of pride and honor
Speaking after her success, Kavita said hoisting the Indian flag at Mount Vinson was a moment of pride and honor. She hopes her achievement will inspire working women and professionals to believe that fitness, discipline, and big dreams can go hand in hand.
Apart from mountaineering, Kavita is also a passionate marathon runner. She won her age group at the Delhi and Mumbai HireX 2025 competitions. She has completed three of the six marathons in the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star Challenge.
Kavita was a media professional
Kavita was once a media professional but left her corporate career in 2024 to fully dedicate herself to fitness and adventure. Today, she stands as an inspiration not only for the daughters of Uttarakhand but also for women across India who dream of achieving greatness.
