Latest news with #SevenSummits
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Man conquers the ‘Seven Summits' for young cancer patients
(NewsNation) — One dad is on a mission to help children with cancer, one mountain at a time. Len Forkas just reached the top of Mount Everest, battling temperatures below -40 degrees and getting through a raging snowstorm in the process. His climb to the world's tallest peak — his second attempt after a failed expedition in 2023 — was fueled by something greater than the conditions he encountered. Each leg of the trek to the top of Everest was dedicated to a child currently fighting cancer. He carried their photos and stories in his pack, turning every step into a statement of solidarity. With his success at Everest, Forkas completed the 'Seven Summits,' reaching the highest peak of each of the seven continents. He's the fifth-oldest person in the world to achieve the incredible feat. 'I can always stop and go home. These kids don't have that choice. They have to get to the finish line,' Forkas told 'NewsNation Prime' Saturday. 'They're fighting for their own mortality. If that doesn't motivate you to want to continue to move forward and honor them, I don't know what does.' Forkas, a tech entrepreneur, founded the not-for-profit Hopecam after his son was diagnosed with leukemia in 2003. 'At the toughest time in my son's life, when he needed to be with his friends the most, he was isolated from them, and as a dad, I wanted to help him,' he recalled. Partial remains of British climber believed found 100 years after Everest ascent Years before Zoom was commonly used by people online, Forkas was able to connect to a classroom camera remotely so that his son could see his friends. Today, Hopecam similarly connects hundreds of young cancer patients with their peers to help them cope. 'The mental health of these children who are fighting for their own survival is so significant, and it takes resources,' Forkas said. His son, Matt, recovered and is 32. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hindustan Times
29-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Geeta Samota becomes first CISF personnel to scale Mt Everest: Recited Hanuman Chalisa for strength
The pride of achieving an unprecedented feat is often beyond words. And for Geeta Samota, who has etched her name in history, a smile says it all. The 35-year-old Sub-Inspector recently became the first Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel to scale Mount Everest in the 56 years since the force was established. Now back on the plains, Geeta opened up about her recent achievement during a visit to Delhi. Her daunting journey began on May 15, and was marked by avalanches, bone-numbing fatigue, emotional breakdowns and constant threat of danger. But when it culminated in the early hours of May 19, the moment spelt sheer triumph. 'I unfurled the Tiranga... uss ek moment mein jitni bhi thakaan thi, whatever struggles I had gone through, they felt worth it,' says Geeta who was born in a village in Rajasthan and is currently posted in Udaipur. 'No amount of training can fully prepare anyone for it. Jab aap itni unchai pe jate ho, tab har kadam pe lagta hai ki 'Kahin agla kadam mera last toh nahin',' she tells us, noting that the summit doesn't just test physical endurance but breaks and rebuilds human spirit. She adds, 'During the journey, I saw casualties; climbers who lost their lives during the expedition.' A post shared by CISF India (@official_cisf) In moments of self doubt, it was spirituality that lifted her spirit. 'Maine kam se kam 2,000 baar Hanuman Chalisa padhi hogi during the expedition. That gave me the strength to just keep going,' she reveals. In 2015, she became the first woman in CISF to complete the gruelling QRT (Quick Reaction Team) course. She recalls: 'My first expedition was Mt Elbrus (the highest mountain in Europe), which was a failure on the first attempt... I've never stopped since and have accomplished five peaks.' Now, with Everest behind her, Geeta's next goal is clear: conquer the final two peaks to complete the Seven Summits. But before she takes on the next mission, she says: 'It doesn't matter how unfathomable your dream is, if you trust yourself and have unbreakable faith, you will always achieve everything!'
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.
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- The Hindu
CISF woman sub-inspector scales Mt. Everest
Sub-Inspector Geeta Samota of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has become the first in the force's 52-year history to scale Mount Everest, the world's highest peak. Ms. Samota's ascent was marked by a personal loss. 'The loss of a friend on my journey to summit The Everest did not stop me from conquering it,' she said on Monday (May 26, 2025) after her arrival in Delhi. 'It was an emotional turmoil, seeing her face unrecognizable in the snow-capped peak. But I knew I had to keep going,' Ms. Samota who scaled the peak on May 19 said. Having already climbed five of the world's highest peaks, she now has only North America and Antarctica left to complete the prestigious Seven Summits challenge. 'I was persistent that the CISF flag had to reach the peak so I could inspire a generation of women and officers alike,' Ms. Samota said. She also credited her Sherpa, Kala Lakpa, for his invaluable support and guidance. 'My chemistry with Kala Lakpa was crucial. We trusted each other completely,' she added. (Report by intern Isabel Jacob)
NDTV
20-05-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Geeta Samota Becomes 1st Paramilitary Force CISF Personnel To Climb Mount Everest
New Delhi: Sub Inspector Geeta Samota has become the first CISF personnel to conquer the world's tallest peak, Mount Everest, in the 56-year-long history of the force, a spokesperson said Tuesday. She summited the 8,849 m tall mountain on Monday. "Geeta stood on the 'roof of the world', a triumphant moment symbolising not just a personal victory, but the incredible resilience and strength fostered within the CISF and the Indian nation," the spokesperson said in a statement. The 35-year-old Sub Inspector joined the paramilitary force in 2011 and is currently posted at the Udaipur airport unit of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). "CISF की नारी शक्ति की ऐसी मिसाल, जिसने छू लिया आसमान और बना दी नई पहचान।" DG #CISF and all ranks congratulate L/SI Geeta Samota of CISF Unit, Udaipur Airport, on successfully scaling Mount Everest (8,848 m), the highest peak in the world. She has not only brought immense pride… — CISF (@CISFHQrs) May 20, 2025 The mountaineer hails from the Chak village in Rajasthan's Sikar district and had initially started as a hockey player in her local college. Her upbringing was traditional in a house that had five daughters, including her. An injury led her to move away from hockey, and upon joining the force, she found CISF did not have a mountaineering team then, and she saw a sporting and adventure opportunity here, the spokesperson said. Ms Samota went on to undertake specialised training in mountaineering and in 2019 she became the first woman from any Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) to scale Mount Satopanth (7,075 meters) in Uttarakhand and Mount Lobuche (6,119 meters) in Nepal, he said. In early 2021, the CAPF contingent for a Mount Everest expedition, of which Geeta was part, was unfortunately called off due to technical reasons. She then set an ambitious goal-- the "Seven Summits" challenge, which involves climbing the highest peak on each of the seven continents. Between 2021-2022, she summited four of these formidable peaks: Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 m) in Australia, Mount Elbrus (5,642 m) in Russia, Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 m) in Tanzania and Mount Aconcagua (6,961 m) in Argentina. The CISF official achieved this feat in a "remarkable" span of just six months and 27 days, making her the fastest Indian woman to do so, he said. Ms Samota, the spokesperson said, also became the first and fastest woman to climb five peaks in Ladakh's Rupshu region in just three days, including three peaks over 6,000 m and two over 5,000 m. "The CISF director general and force members have extended their profound congratulations to Samota. Her extraordinary journey and successful summit, shine as a beacon of inspiration for the youth of India and stand as a moment of immense pride for the entire CAPFs fraternity," he said. The about 2 lakh personnel strength force guards vital installations in the government and private domain including airports, nuclear power centres and historical monuments.
