“I was 11 when I first stepped onto a glacier in Uttarakhand with my sister. That moment on Mount Rudugaira changed something in me. I didn’t know then that it would take me to all seven continents — but here I am, 16 years old, standing on the summit of Mount Everest, having completed the 7 Summits challenge.
I’m Vishwanathkarthikey Padakanti from Hyderabad, and on May 27, 2025, I became the youngest Indian and the second youngest in the world to climb the highest peak on every continent. This wasn’t just about mountains — it was about pushing myself beyond every limit I thought I had.
Mount Everest was the final one. 8,848 metres. The highest place on Earth. The climb tested everything — my strength, focus, and patience. There were moments I couldn’t feel my fingers or toes, when I questioned why I was doing this. But then I remembered the little boy who looked up at the snowy peaks years ago and said, “One day, I’ll be up there.”
The journey here wasn’t easy. Climbing Mount Vinson in Antarctica at -40°C was brutal. Denali in North America demanded mental toughness like nothing else. And Aconcagua in Argentina was the most recent test before Everest — harsh winds, freezing nights, and oxygen that never felt enough. But one step at a time, I made it.
None of this would have happened without my mentors. Lt. Col. Romil Barthwal, the CEO of Boots & Crampons, has guided me through this journey. His discipline and vision made me believe I could do this. Our team leader, Bharath Thammineni, gave me the confidence to tackle each summit. And behind every step I’ve taken is my family — especially my mother, who always tells me, “When you do what you love, success follows.”
I’ve balanced mountaineering with school, sometimes carrying books on expeditions. My friends often ask how I manage it. The truth is, it’s tough. But mountains teach you discipline. You learn to wake up early, to plan your time, to stay calm under pressure — lessons I apply to everything else in life.
Each summit has given me something. Kilimanjaro taught me to dream. Elbrus gave me resilience. Denali showed me the meaning of patience. Vinson demanded courage. And Everest… Everest gave me perspective. You realise how small we are in front of nature — and how strong we can be when we keep going.
This journey isn’t just mine. It belongs to everyone who believed in me, who encouraged me when I was tired, who reminded me that age is never a limit when your purpose is strong.
What’s next? I want to join the NDA and serve the country. The discipline, the courage, the sense of duty — mountaineering gave me that. I’ll keep climbing, exploring, and giving back.
To every young person out there — you don’t have to start big. Start with curiosity. Let your passion lead the way. Some peaks are outside. Some are within. Conquer both.
And remember, sometimes the biggest summits are reached not with strength, but with belief.”
- @iamvishwanath.k
#7SummitsChallenge