KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 29

Record-holding Indian climber Arjun Vajpai today announced that he would leave for Tibet tomorrow to attempt to climb the world's fourteenth highest peak this season.

"I am attempting to climb Mt Shishapangma, the world's 14th and lowest peak in the eight-thousander category, this season," Vajpai said.

According to him, this landmark climb is supported by Mpower, an initiative by the Aditya Birla Education Trust, pioneers in providing holistic mental health services. Standing at a formidable height of 8,027 meters (26,335 feet), Mt. Shishapangma is located in the Tibetan Himalayas.

Vajpai is the only Indian mountaineer to have embarked on an incredible 16 expeditions throughout his mountaineering career. Having already successfully scaled seven out of the 14 eight-thousand-meter summits, Arjun is now set to make history for India. With this upcoming expedition, he will become the first Indian mountaineer to scale 8 of the 14 8000m peaks.

Vajpai strongly believes that mental toughness and resilience play a critical role in achieving success in such demanding climbs. He emphasizes the vital role of mental strength alongside physical training in conquering challenges. According to Vajpai, mental health is just as important as physical health, and in today's fast-paced world, it is essential to focus on mental well-being and seek support when needed.

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As Vajpai himself shares, "When the body gives up, the mind takes over, and the hardest and most unachievable task can be managed by the mind."

At just 30 years old, Vajpai has already been awarded a Guinness World Record for being the youngest person to climb two higher 8000ers: Mt. Everest in 2010 at the age of 16 years, 11 months and 18 days, and Mt. Lhotse in 2011at the age of 17 years, 11 months and 16 days. Arjun's ultimate goal is to become the first Indian to scale all 14 of the world's 8000-meter summits, with Mt. Shisha Pangma as his next target.

With fewer than 55 people in the world having ever achieved this feat, no Indian has done it yet. Vajpai has already scaled Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Manaslu, Mt. Annapurna, and Cho-Oyu, making several mountaineering world records along the way. As he notes, "It is my dream to climb all 14 mountains above 8000 meters, raise India's flag high, and become the first Indian to have achieved this feat. Right now, my focus is on #Project8k, and I'm going to give my best to achieve this daunting task."

Vajpai's expedition is supported by Seven Summit Treks Pvt. Ltd. This season, 13 climbers, including Sherpas from SST, are on the verge of achieving 14 8000-meter summits after the successful climbing of Sishapangma, according to Thaneswar Guragai, General manager at SST. SST's Expedition Director Chhang Dawa Sherpa has already reached Tibet to manage the expeditions, according to Guragai.

Vajpai's Journey So Far:

  • 16x 8000m Expeditions
  • 7 Successful Summits
    • 2010: Mt. Everest
    • 2011: Mt. Lhotse
    • 2011: Mt. Manaslu
    • 2016: Mt. Makalu
    • 2016: Mt. Cho Oyu
    • 2018: Mt. Kangchenjunga
    • 2023: Mt. Annapurna