Haryana girl to set Everest record

Kathmandu: An Indian teenager to leave on Friday for the Mount Everest's base camp as part of her endeavor to become the youngest Indian woman to scale the world's highest peak.

The 16-year-old girl, Shivangi Pathak from Hisar in Haryana, will begin her climb to the summit in mid-May, officials said on Thursday."Shivangi to leave for Lukla, the gate way to the Mt Everest, after obtaining a climbing permit from the Department of Tourism," said Pemba Sherpa, General Manager at Seven Summit Treks.

Pathak, along with a team of climbers, had arrived here last week to begin her adventurous journey to the Mt Everest, according to the Seven Summit Treks, the organiser of the expedition.

"I am here to fulfill my childhood dream," said Pathak, who is now 16 year and nine month old, adding "I have my only mission to conquer every mountain on this beautiful planet."

The girl is deeply inspired by Arunima Sinha, the first Indian amputee to climb Mt Everest. Pathak said she wanted to explore a message that women could overcome every obstacle to achieve their goals.

"My parents – Rajesh and Arati – are also quite supportive and understanding of the choices I make in my life." she added. She had completed her basic and advance mountaineering courses at Jawahar Institute of Mountain, Sherpa said, adding she also participated in different high-altitude trainings in Kashmiri glaciers. "Fully trained high-altitude guides will accompany her on the top of Mt Everest," Sherpa concluded.

By Shirish B Pradhan