Scaling new heights
Akash Jindal, a 19-year-old student of Delhi College of Arts and Commerce (DCAC), might look like any ordinary college kid at first glance, but talk to him and he’ll tell you tales of high peaks and expeditions that will surely change your perception about this young achiever.
When kids his age were busy playing games, this young lad decided to spend his summer vacations learning mountaineering at base camps. This year in August, Akash conquered 18,510 ft Mt Elbrus, which is Europe’s highest mountain, and became the youngest Indian ever to climb this mountain.
However, conquering Mt Elbrus was just a stepping stone for Akash as he wants to take this forward and create a record of climbing the highest seven volcano mountains across the globe. Akash says, “It’s my dream to complete the seven volcano circuit (the highest volcano on each continent) and become the first Asian and third on planet to complete this circuit. Next on my list is the 19,340 ft Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa and then I will aim for Mt Damavand, Mt Giluwe, Mt Ojos del Salado and Mt Sidley.”
Climbing the tallest volcano mountain was a life-changing experience for Akash, and he still remembers how each step closer to the summit was a lesson for life. He says, “We were a team of five people; two Germans, two Russians and me, who climbed up the mountain. There were extreme temperatures like -30 and non-stop snowfall. Language and food were huge obstacles. On the way we saw dead bodies of previous mountain climbers, but the will power kept us motivated.”
This young mountaineer credits all his success to the support he received from his family, school and college. He mentions that his teachers and professors always encouraged him to aim higher.
Akash says, “Earlier my school Principal Suman Nath from Tagore International School, and now DCAC Principal Dr M.S. Rawat helped me a lot in coping with my studies. I have also met the VC of Delhi University and he encouraged me a lot. Now we are planning to start a rock climbing society for DU students, where they can learn more about this adventure sport.”
The young enthusiast informs that there are three Ms needed for mountaineering — Muscle, Mind and Money. He hopes to get sponsorship for his upcoming expedition, and says that in the coming days he will be doing a lot more to help other young mountaineers who want to make it big in this field.
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