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Meet 23 year old Delhite, Akash Jindal. At an age when most us are concerned about our career and academics, Akash decided to do something different and achieve a feat which many of us would never be able to do in an entire lifetime. Instead of running after jobs or academics; after graduating, Akash dared to follow his passion for mountaineering and adventure sports.
This Delhi boy featured in the Limca Book of Records when he was 18 as the youngest ever to climb Mt. Elbrus, the highest peak of Europe. And since then, there has been no looking back for him. It fact he climbed it again last year in August, when he led a team to Russia to climb Mt. Elburs from the South. Previously, he had done the same from the north.
In November, Aakash led the first Indian team to climb Aussie 10, the ten highest peaks of Australia in 50 hours. Prior to that, has also managed to climb Damavand, Highest Volcano of Asia in under 30 hours. For the uninitiated Damavand is an active volcano in Iran and it is still fuming of Sulphur gas.
It all started way back in 2009, when then, still in school- Akash stumbled upon a climbing course by the Himachal Pradesh state government over the internet. It was a 26 day long module that included learning Rock, Snow and Ice craft. He joined it and instantly fell in love with this adventure activity.
Speaking exclusively to Sportskeeda, the trendsetter said, ‘It’s an addictive sport, one never gets satisfied. Climbing high mountains is a gruelling task; it includes a lot of pain and suffering. Imagine carrying a 20 kilo backpack at 20,000 ft with temperature below zero degree and winds so strong that could blow one off anytime. But we still climb on!’
Now 23, Akash has already conquered a lot of peaks and this time around he aims to conquer Mt Everest one day.
‘I had always been thinking of climbing Everest ever since I started climbing but never rushed it. I wanted to learn about mountains and more so about myself before taking on the Mother of all mountains.’ he added.
Adding about the gruelling nature of the sport, he exuded, ‘Most of my climbs are alpine style meaning, climbing without external support, with least amount of equipment possible, no porters, no support staff. We carry entire load ourselves, cook ourselves and fix ropes on our own. It’s the purest form of climbing. So while climbing an active volcano in Iran, about 18,600ft in a little more than a day, I learnt that my body can adjust well to sudden gain in altitude. Just 30 hours back I was in Qatar which is at 33 ft. My biggest worry for Everest had always been the altitude, and now I was a little assured that maybe the time has come.’
Akash also however has a mission while climbing the Everest. Recently he was wrongly tested positive for Hepatitis B. Though the diagnosis was incorrect, it shook his world. He has since started working towards a campaign to raise awareness on the disease and how it spreads, its symptoms and what the treatment is like. His Everest conquest which starts this coming April will also be a part of this campaign.
Here’s hoping this young man carries on with his expeditions and conquers the final frontier as it is deemed!
