Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (VA)

Mumbai, Apr 12: Arjun Vajpai, a 16-year old student has waved the Ryan International School’s flag high upon reaching the Everest base camp, as he is set to be the youngest Indian to climb Mount Everest.
 
Vajpai joined Nehru Institute of Mountaineering soon after his class X board exams. A few months and a couple of courses later, his instructors deemed him capable of summiting the highest peak in the world.

Vajpai had been trekking to the Sahyadris earlier and his experience from there helped him with his first high- altitude climb to the Draupadi Ka Danda 2 (DKD2) last October. Once on top, he became the youngest person to have scaled the peak and there has been no looking back or down. Although his parents were concerned for him, he alleviated their apprehension by promising them that he’d take things one step a time. He reached the base camp, after completing the acclimatization climb of Island Peak

His training for the climb included yoga to increase flexibility and cardio for improving lung power. His instructor also made him undertake arm, calf and back exercises and put him on a diet high in protein and carbohydrates. He found it difficult to get used to it at first but his passion helped him go on.

Vaipai is already looking beyond. His Everest attempt is just step one of a plan to climb the seven tallest peaks across the seven continents.

He has a very inspiring company of an 18-year old Bhagyashree Sawant. She is a national level athlete, cyclist and rugby player and also an international level Karate player. She is set to become the youngest Indian Woman to climb Mount Everest.