DEHRADUN: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today congratulated mountaineer Kavita Chand for successfully scaling Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica, calling her achievement a moment of pride for Uttarakhand and the entire country. In a message shared on social media, the Chief Minister described her ascent as an inspiring accomplishment that reflects determination, courage and the indomitable spirit of India’s daughters.
Kavita Chand, a native of Almora district, etched her name in India’s mountaineering history by summiting Mount Vinson on December 12 at 8:30 pm local time. Rising to an altitude of 4,892 metres, the climb marked a major milestone in her pursuit of the prestigious Seven Summits challenge, a global mountaineering goal that involves scaling the highest peak on each of the seven continents.
In his message, Chief Minister Dhami said that Kavita’s success has brought honour to Uttarakhand and the nation, and extended his best wishes for her bright future. He noted that such achievements serve as a source of motivation for young people, especially women, to dream big and overcome challenges through perseverance and hard work.
अंटार्कटिका की सबसे ऊंची चोटी माउंट विंसन पर सफलतापूर्वक चढ़ाई पूरी करने पर उत्तराखंड की बेटी कविता चंद जी को हार्दिक बधाई। आपकी इस उपलब्धि ने उत्तराखण्ड सहित समस्त देशवासियों को गौरवान्वित किया है।
Now based in Mumbai, the 40-year-old climber’s accomplishment has drawn widespread admiration, particularly in her home state. From the hills of Almora to one of the world’s most remote and hostile mountain environments, Kavita’s journey is being widely celebrated as a testament to resilience and self-belief. Residents of Uttarakhand, mountaineering enthusiasts and fitness communities across the country have lauded her for representing India on one of the most demanding stages of global adventure sports.
With Mount Vinson conquered, Kavita has taken a significant step towards completing the Seven Summits challenge. She had earlier scaled Mount Elbrus in Europe, and her Antarctic success places her firmly on course to achieve the rare global distinction. Climbers attempting the Seven Summits face not only physical endurance tests but also complex logistics, extreme weather and mental resilience across vastly different terrains.
Mount Vinson is regarded as one of the most unforgiving mountains in the world. Located deep within Antarctica, it presents extreme challenges due to its isolation, sub-zero temperatures, high winds and rapidly changing weather conditions. Access to the region is limited, and expeditions require careful planning, specialised equipment and significant acclimatisation to survive the harsh Antarctic environment.
Kavita’s expedition began on December 3 with her departure from India. She reached Punta Arenas in Chile on December 4, a key gateway city for Antarctic expeditions. From there, she flew to Union Glacier on December 7, navigating the logistical complexities that define travel to the southernmost continent. Later that day, she arrived at Vinson Base Camp, located at approximately 2,100 metres, following a 40-minute flight in a ski-equipped aircraft. The journey itself underscored the demanding nature of Antarctic mountaineering, where every stage depends on weather windows and precise coordination.
The climb was led by renowned high-altitude guide Mingma David Sherpa, with the Indian contingent supported by experienced mountaineer Bharath Thammineni and his expedition company, Boots and Crampon. Under their leadership, a nine-member Indian team successfully reached the summit. Team members highlighted that meticulous acclimatisation, careful planning and constant coordination were critical to overcoming the severe cold and unpredictable conditions.
Reflecting on her achievement, Kavita said that carrying the Indian tricolour to the summit of Mount Vinson was an indescribable honour. She expressed hope that her journey would inspire working professionals, particularly women, to believe that ambition, physical fitness and career success can coexist. She said her experience showed that it is possible to pursue demanding personal goals while maintaining professional commitments, provided one is willing to take calculated risks and remain disciplined.
Beyond mountaineering, Kavita is also an accomplished endurance runner. An avid marathoner, she has won the Delhi and Mumbai Hyrox 2025 events in her age category and has completed three races towards the Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star Challenge. Her background in endurance sports played a significant role in preparing her physically and mentally for the extreme demands of high-altitude climbing.
A former media professional, Kavita stepped away from her corporate career in 2024 to pursue fitness full time, a decision she has described as life-changing. She has often spoken about the importance of long-term planning, mental conditioning and support systems in achieving goals that appear daunting at first glance.
Married to Deepak Chand Thakur, CEO and co-founder of NPST, Kavita continues to push personal boundaries while carrying her roots from Uttarakhand with pride. As she advances towards the remaining peaks of the Seven Summits challenge, her success at Mount Vinson stands as a powerful symbol of perseverance, courage and the growing presence of Indian women in global adventure sports.
Her achievement, celebrated by the Chief Minister and citizens alike, has added a new chapter to Uttarakhand’s legacy of producing mountaineers who excel on the world stage.
Dheeraj reports on governance, public services, jobs, and regional developments across Uttarakhand. He specialises in recruitment news, public-sector updates, and civic issues that impact everyday citizens. His reporting brings accuracy, context, and a grassroots perspective to local journalism.
