Latest news with #MountElbrus
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Ras Al Khaimah Police officer summits Europe's highest peak, raises UAE flag
On August 1, a Ras Al Khaimah police officer achieved a remarkable feat —he successfully scaled Mount Elbrus in Russia, the highest peak in Europe at 5,642 metres above sea level. Major Ibrahim Saif Al Mazrouei, a member of the RAK Police force, accomplished the feat after a gruelling five-day expedition, marking him as the first member of the command to conquer one of the world's famed Seven Summits. At the peak, he proudly raised the UAE flag alongside the Ras Al Khaimah Police emblem. Major General Ali Abdullah bin Alwan Al Nuaimi praised Al Mazrouei's determination, perseverance, and ambition in completing this extraordinary challenge. Speaking about the experience, Major Al Mazrouei expressed his pride and joy in representing his country and his police force at such heights. 'Raising the UAE flag and the RAK Police logo on Mount Elbrus is my simple way of thanking my leadership for their unwavering support,' he said. 'This achievement was fueled by determination and ambition, and I look forward to continuing my journey in the Seven Summits challenge.' The challenging expedition was not one without obstacles, as the police officer faced extreme cold, oxygen shortages, strong winds, and steep mountainous terrain. Detailing his efforts, Al Mazrouei said to Khaleej Times that each day he would "ascend to altitudes ranging between 4,000 and 5,000 metres", and then come back down to sleep at lower elevations. "It was all part of helping my body adjust to the altitude." Just before midnight on July 31, he began his final climb. It was 11pm when he set off, and after a long, challenging ascent, he reached the summit at 10am on August 1. His successful climb highlights not only his courage and dedication but also his commitment to pursuing the prestigious global mountaineering goal of reaching the highest peak on each of the seven continents. This remarkable achievement stands as a testament to the adventurous spirit of Ras Al Khaimah Police and the enduring pursuit of excellence beyond borders.
Khaleej Times
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Look: 53-year-old Dubai doctor defies injury to scale Europe's highest peak
A 53-year-old Indian expat and full-time medical professional in Dubai has become one of the oldest Indian women from the UAE to summit Mount Elbrus, Europe's highest peak at 5,642 metres. Dr Kiran Vemuri reached the summit on July 10, days after sustaining a leg injury that nearly forced her to pull out of the expedition. 'What makes this summit especially meaningful is that I undertook it 10 days after a leg injury,' she said. 'At this stage of life, women often fight not just physical but societal limitations. My climb was about proving to myself and others that resilience, grit, and belief can defy age and setbacks." A long-time Dubai resident, Dr Vemuri lives in Executive Towers, Business Bay. Her training ground? The stairs of her own building. 'My tower has 41 floors and I used to climb 100 floors in 40 minutes, about 2.5 rounds up,' she said. 'It helped build stamina, and since it was right outside my door, there were no excuses.' Her successful Elbrus ascent is the latest milestone in a two-decade-long passion for high-altitude trekking. Her list of past adventures spans continents: Everest Base Camp (5,364m), Roopkund (5,029m), Rupin Pass (4,650m), Kilimanjaro (5,895m), and Stok Kangri (6,153m). 'Kilimanjaro happened way back in 2012. Elbrus was a natural next step, but mentally, it was harder,' she said. She likened her journey to the Bollywood film Vijay 69, in which a 69-year-old man trains for a triathlon. 'He doesn't do it for medals. He does it to feel alive again,' she said. 'This climb was my version of Vijay 69.' The knee injury nearly derailed her plans. 'I was honestly quite shaken and worried. I had pain even walking, forget climbing a mountain. I could barely take the parking stairs,' she said. Under medical supervision, she followed a strict recovery plan. Two days before departure, she got the go-ahead. "Armed with painkillers, knee support and prayers, I went ahead.' She described the summit as euphoric. 'That moment is not about milestones. It's pure gratitude. I prayed to the morning sun and thanked the universe. It felt powerful, like real, money-can't-buy happiness.' The climb had its share of challenges. While the ascent was steady, the descent tested her mental limits. "While descending, I hit a psychological wall," she said. "I told the trek guide, 'It's not my job to get back to base; that's your problem.' He laughed and said, 'That's not my job either. You can stay here forever.' It was both scary and funny. But when the goalpost is clear, willpower gets you through." Since her return, she's been flooded with messages from women. 'Many women I know, including some of my classmates, are grandmothers now, which is nice. There are people telling women in their 50s: to slow down.' 'I wanted to send a different message: You can pause. You can rest. But don't slow down. There's still so much to explore, to feel, to experience. Whether it's a mountain, a new passion, or charity, 50s is the new 40s.' Her family was worried, especially after her injury, but never wavered in support. 'My husband, my sons Shrikar and Krish, and the extended family were behind me all the way,' she said. Next up for Dr Vemuri is Mount Mont Blanc, planned for next year. "There's always a next,' she said.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Time of India
‘Pushed to death, but I made it': Tamil Nadu woman scales all 7 continental peaks, survives storm atop Denali
N Muthamizh Selvi, a Japanese teacher from Tamil Nadu, has become the first person from her state to conquer the Seven Summits, completing the challenge with her ascent of Mount McKinley. CHENNAI: On June 16, atop North America's Mount McKinley, N Muthamizh Selvi became the first person from Tamil Nadu to conquer the highest peaks on all seven continents. A native of Johilpatti village in Virudhunagar district, Muthamizh Selvi teaches Japanese in Chennai. Her great climb began in May 2023 when she became the first woman from Tamil Nadu to scale Mount Everest . And in just the next two years, she would complete the 'Seven Summits' challenge Europe's Mount Elbrus (July 2023) Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro (Sept 2023) South America's Mount Aconcagua (Feb 2024) Australia's Mount Kosciuszko (March 2024) Antartica's Mount Vinson (Dec 2024) and finally Mount McKinley. Called Denali by Native American people, meaning 'the tall one', it's where Muthamizh Selvi faced some of her biggest challenges. "I had to carry an 80kg bag with me. It would keep pushing me backwards," she told TOI. "And after reaching the summit, we had to sleep there, in the freezing cold, without a tent, for 16 hours straight because of heavy winds." And that, Muthamizh Selvi says, pushed her close to death. "I developed a splitting headache because of the winds. If I had bled, that would have been my end. It's a miracle I survived," she said. Muthamizh Selvi climbed the mountain with Shaikh Hassan Khan who works for the Kerala secretariat. "When we were caught in the storm, Shaikh contacted Kerala govt through his satellite phone, after which Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan alerted Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We then found Indian Embassy staff waiting for us at the base camp with medical aid," Muthamizh Selvi said. "We had to walk for 18 hours to reach the base camp. " It took almost 2 crore for Muthamizh Selvi to scale the seven mountains. She was supported by state development authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT). Hailing Muthamizh Selvi's achievement, DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi posted on X: "It is an inspiration for crores of women in India to reach their peaks."
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Time of India
Hyderabad teen scales Seven Summits challenge
1 2 3 4 5 6 Hyderabad: City lad Padakakanti Vishwanath Karthikey made history on Tuesday by becoming the second youngest in the world and the youngest Indian to complete the Seven Summits challenge — scaling the highest peaks in each of the seven continents. Considered the toughest of mountaineering expeditions, Vishwanath scaled Mount Everest , the final frontier, to complete the remarkable achievement aged 16 years, six months and 27 days. American mountaineer Jordan Romero, at 15 years, five months and 12 days, holds the world record for the youngest to complete Seven Summits, which he achieved in 2011. Vishwanath had scaled Aconcagua (highest peak in South America), Denali (North America), Mount Elbrus (Europe), Kilimanjaro (Africa) and Mount Kosciuszko (Australia) earlier. But for the new rule that prevents those below 16 from scaling Everest, Vishwanath could have had the world record in his bag, reckon his mentors Bharath Thammineni and Lt Romil Barthwal. "Vishwanath had to turn 16 to complete this final trek to achieve Seven Summits," Bharat told TOI from the base camp in Kathmandu, Nepal. "He has been training for this for the last four years and worked very hard to achieve it. He has been very committed in his training," he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3BHK Transformation Possible for ₹4.5 Lakh? HomeLane Get Quote Undo Lt Barthwal and Vishwanath are on their way back to the base camp. An intermediate MPC second year student at Resonance College, Vishwanath's interest in mountaineering began as an 11-year-old in 2020 when he forced his parents to allow him and his sister Vaishnavi to trek Mount Rudugaira in Uttarakhand. Though he couldn't finish the trek, it motivated him to take up mountaineering seriously. He then attended a 10-day adventure course at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering to learn essential skills. He first attempted to scale Europe's highest peak Mount Elbrus aged 13, but had to return as one of his teammates fainted. But he went on to conquer the Everest Base Camp trek, Nangkartshang Peak (5,364m), and tackled Friendship Peak, gaining priceless trekking and mountaineering experience. He also scaled Kang Yatse II and Dzo Jongo within 72 hours, becoming the youngest to do so. "This journey tested every part of me — physically, mentally, and emotionally," said Vishwanath. "But standing on the summit of Everest and completing the Seven Summits is a dream come true. I am deeply grateful for the love and support I've received throughout this journey," Vishwanath said. He dedicated his achievement to his parents — Padakanti Rajendra Prasad and Laxmi. While his father Rajendra runs a rice mill in Gummadidala, his mother Laxmi is a homemaker. Vishwanath has been pursuing his dream of Seven Summits for five years and has been putting the hard yards under the guidance of Bharath and Lt Barthwal, who is an Indian army veteran and an accomplished mountaineer. "We were impressed with his dedication. Whenever we chose any expedition for him, we assigned him to a trainer. He would then work on his strength training, endurance and cardio. He would put in hours of hard work for his goal," added Bharath.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Time of India
CISF sub-inspector scales Everest, first by an officer of the force
NEW DELHI: Sub-inspector Geeta Samota has become the first CISF personnel to scale Mt Everest, the world's highest peak at 8,849 metres. The feat is a culmination of her "seven summits" dream that took wing in 2019 with her becoming the first woman from a central armed police force to climb Mount Satopanth in Uttarakhand. Having trained at ITBP's mountaineering training institute in Auli, Geeta went on to scale Mount Lobuche in Nepal the same year. Even Covid could not break her streak, as she went on to climb four more peaks over a span of six months and 27 days between 2021 and early 2022. These included Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 mtrs) in Australia, Mount Elbrus ((5,642 mtrs) in Russia, Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 mtrs) in Tanzania, and Mount Aconcagua (6,961 mtrs) in Argentina.
