At 43, UP woman scales Europe’s highest peak: ‘You cannot stop’

Shivani Mehrotra, a 43-year-old woman from Uttar Pradesh, successfully climbed Mount Elbrus, Europe's highest peak, on August 15, 2021, and raised the Indian flag at the summit. Mehrotra, who is married and has an 18-year-old daughter, resides in Sitapur. Her family has always been supportive of her passion for mountaineering. In an interview with PTI, Mehrotra emphasized that age is just a number and that discipline and determination played a crucial role in her achievement.

Her interest in mountaineering started in 2019 when she planned a trek to Mount Everest Base Camp with a friend. Since then, she has trekked across various regions in India and climbed several peaks, including Mount Kilimanjaro and Friendship Peak. Her future goals include climbing Mount Everest and completing the Seven Summits.

Mehrotra embarked on her Elbrus expedition from Mumbai on August 8, traveling to Mineralnye Vody, Russia, for the 10-day journey organized by the Russian company Chatur Tours. The team conducted acclimatization climbs at elevations of 3,000, 4,000, and 4,700 meters before attempting the summit. Harsh weather conditions, such as snowfall, rain, strong winds, and low oxygen levels, made the climb challenging.

Mehrotra started the summit push at around 2 am on August 15, facing difficulties due to cold temperatures, darkness, strong winds, heavy equipment, and low oxygen. Despite these obstacles, she repeated to herself, "Rukna nahin hai, chalte rehna hai" (You cannot stop, you have to keep walking). After approximately four-and-a-half hours, Mehrotra reached the summit and unfurled the Indian flag.

She noted that she rarely encounters women over 40 participating in high-altitude climbs. Mehrotra primarily finances her expeditions through her own savings and aims to continue climbing in the future.