Gangtok, 14 December (H.S.): Sikkim’s renowned mountaineer Manita Pradhan has achieved a historic milestone by successfully summiting Mount Vinson Massif, the highest peak in Antarctica. With this remarkable accomplishment, she has added a new chapter to the history of Indian mountaineering. She is now just one peak away from completing the world-famous “Seven Summits Challenge.”

The Mount Vinson Massif expedition forms a crucial part of Pradhan’s ambitious project “Project Seven Summits”, under which she aims to scale the highest peaks on all seven continents. With her latest conquest in Antarctica, she has now successfully climbed the tallest mountains across six continents, leaving only Australia’s Mount Kosciuszko remaining on her list.

Embarking on her journey from Gangtok on December 1, 2025, Pradhan followed an international route via New York and Punta Arenas (Chile) before reaching Union Glacier Camp, Antarctica’s main mountaineering base. From there, she advanced to the Mount Vinson Base Camp.

The final summit push began on December 10, under extreme weather conditions. Temperatures plunged to –31 degrees Celsius, with fierce winds and steep icy slopes making the ascent highly challenging.

Despite such adversity, Pradhan demonstrated extraordinary endurance, teamwork, and determination.After enduring days of strenuous climbing, Manita Pradhan successfully reached the summit of Mount Vinson Massif at 8:30 p.m. (local time) on December 12—a proud moment that placed her among the few Indian women to have reached the top of the coldest continent’s highest peak.

At the base camp, she hoisted a special flag marking Sikkim’s 50th Statehood Anniversary, symbolizing her deep pride and love for her homeland.

Expressing heartfelt gratitude, Pradhan thanked Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang for his constant encouragement and support throughout her mountaineering journey. She also extended appreciation to her family, friends, and well-wishers for their unwavering faith and motivation.Babbu Tamang, a member of the Sikkim Veterans Mountaineering Association, hailed Pradhan’s achievement, calling it “a moment of immense pride for Sikkim and India.”

He added that conquering Mount Vinson marks her sixth successful summit under the Seven Summits Project—with only Australia’s peak left to complete the challenge. Through her courage, commitment, and indomitable willpower, Manita Pradhan continues to inspire young women mountaineers to dream big and break boundaries.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar