KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 14
Indian Skydiver and Padmashri awardee, Shital Mahajan, accomplished a remarkable series of high-altitude skydives in the Everest region, culminating with a jump in front of Mount Everest.
On November 11, Shital Mahajan took her first leap from 5000ft AGL (Above Ground Level) at a staggering 17500ft altitude, successfully landing at 12500ft at Syangboche airport with legendary skydiver Wendy Smith from New Zealand serving as her instructor within the aircraft.
In a single jump, Shital made history by becoming the first woman in the World to skydive over the three poles of the Earth - the North Pole, the South Pole, and the third pole of the world, the formidable Mount Everest. She also secured a national record as the First Indian civilian woman to skydive in front of Mount Everest and the First Indian woman to skydive over the three poles of the world.
On November 12, she executed a flag jump at Syangboche airport from 8000ft, along with the participation of renowned camerawoman Wendy Elizabeth Smith and Russian camerawoman Nadia Solovyeva. This daring feat achieved yet another national record, this time for the Highest flag Skydiving landing done by a woman.
Mahajan continued her extraordinary journey as she made an audacious leap from the Amadablam mountain base camp at an astonishing 23,000 ft altitude, landing at 4600m (15091ft). For this high-altitude jump, she was guided by the renowned skydiver from France, Paul-Henry de Baère, known as the "oxygen man" in high altitude jumps.
But the climax of Shital's exceptional odyssey occurred today, on November 13, 2023, when she performed a breathtaking jump from 21500ft in the presence of Mount Everest, landing at the highest altitude at Kalapatthar, 17444ft (5317m). In this jump, Paul Henry de Baere again served as her HALO instructor. This jump not only marked the Highest altitude skydiving landing done by a woman but also established two additional National records - First Indian woman to skydive in front of Mount Everest at Kalapatthar and Highest altitude skydiving landing done by a woman, according to Anuj Pandey, the manager of Everest Skydive.
High-altitude skydiving presents unique challenges, including the need for supplemental oxygen and dealing with thinner air. Shital was joined by legendary skydiving experts, such as Paul Henry de Baere, Omar Alhegelan, Wendy Smith, and Nadia Solovyeva, who collectively boast over 12 years of experience in high-altitude skydiving, Pandey added.
The mastermind behind this incredible endeavor is Suman Pandey, the founder of Explore Himalaya and Everest Skydive, Mahajan said. Nita Ambani, the founder of Reliance Foundation, and Anant Ambani offered unwavering support to this groundbreaking expedition, she added. Shital also acknowledged the contributions of Shri Girish Mahajan, Shri Ashok Jain, Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, and Prashant Bagh, among others.
Each jump was conducted from Fishtail Air Helicopter under the expert guidance of senior Captain Kiran Pun and Captain Francois Favart, Pandey added.