Indian Mountaineer Kavita Chand Creates History With Record-Breaking Kilimanjaro Feat
NDTV ·
Endurance athlete and mountaineer Kavita Chand has become the first Indian to complete the Mount Kilimanjaro round trip in under 24 hours.
Endurance athlete and mountaineer Kavita Chand has become the first Indian to complete the Mount Kilimanjaro round trip in under 24 hours, finishing the challenge in 22 hours and 36 minutes. Her achievement also includes an ascent time of 12 hours and 46 minutes, marking an extraordinary performance on Africa's highest mountain. Kavita undertook the Mweka Gate-Uhuru Peak-Mweka Gate route, reaching the summit at 5,895 metres before returning to the starting point. Her ascent time of 12 hours and 46 minutes makes it a remarkable speed-climbing achievement, according to a press release.
A conventional Kilimanjaro expedition generally takes five to nine days for the ascent and descent, allowing climbers time to acclimatise to the increasing altitude. Kavita's attempt required extensive preparation and a carefully coordinated support system.
Her preparation included three months of training for the Chicago Marathon, held on October 11, during which she ran approximately 70-90 kilometres every week and undertook strength training three times a week. She finished as the third-fastest Indian woman at the marathon.