Triple amputee summits Kilimanjaro

Hyderabad: Even as the whole of India was engulfed in Deepawali celebrations, Shekar Goud, 29, and Bhavna Dehariya, 26, were celebrating in Africa as they conquered Mount Kilimanjaro (19,341 feet) on Sunday. What makes it even more special, Shekar is the first triple amputee in the world to have scaled the peak.

The duo is from Company Boots & Crampons, a Hyderabad-based mountaineering training institute. Bhavna hails from Madhya Pradesh. It was Bhavna who first scaled the peak at 7:30 am and Shekar reached it at 9:30 am.

Speaking to The Hans India, Shekar said, "I'm lucky to be the first specially-abled to reach the highest peak in Africa. I wish to climb many more mountains and this is my third achievement."

Shekhar Goud is working for Pranam Hospital, previously he also scaled Mount Elbrus. Bhavana and Shekhar Goud started from Moshi, Tanzania on October 22 and reached the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in five days. Started from Moshi, the duo arrived at Marangu gate of Kilimanjaro and moved to Mandara hut which is camp 1 after 4 hours of trekking.

They had to face rough weather due to which they had to wait for a bright day. Luckily, the following day was conducive and from Mandara they reached the Horombo Hut camp on the day 2 at 4 pm in the evening. Followed by a rest day they reached Kibo huts and rested for an hour and started to the summit at 11:30 pm at midnight.