Endurance Athlete’s Antarctic Expedition Led by Mingma David Sherpa

New Delhi: India celebrated a proud moment as Kavita Chand, originally from Uttarakhand and now based in Mumbai, reached the summit of Mount Vinson in Antarctica, marking a major milestone in her global mountaineering journey.

The summit marks a significant step in Kavita’s pursuit of the prestigious Seven Summits challenge, which involves scaling the highest mountain on each of the seven continents. She has already summited Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe, placing her firmly on course to achieve the milestone.

Considered one of the most unforgiving mountains in the world, Mount Vinson tests climbers with extreme cold, isolation and unpredictable Antarctic weather. Kavita’s expedition began on December 3, when she departed from India. She reached Punta Arenas, Chile, on the evening of December 4, before flying to Union Glacier on December 7 afternoon. Later that day, she arrived at the Vinson Base Camp, located at an altitude of around 2,100 metres. The final approach from Union Glacier to the base camp was completed in a small ski-equipped aircraft, a flight of approximately 40 minutes — underscoring the complex logistics involved in Antarctic expeditions.

The expedition was led by renowned high-altitude guide Mingma David Sherpa, who served as the lead guide for the climb. The Indian contingent was supported by ace mountaineer Bharath Thammineni and his expedition company, Boots and Crampon. Under their guidance, a nine-member Indian team successfully reached the summit, with careful planning, acclimatisation and on-ground coordination playing a key role in navigating the extreme Antarctic conditions.

Speaking about the climb, Kavita Chand said, “Carrying the Indian tricolour to the summit of Mt Vinson was an honour beyond words. I hope this achievement inspires professionals to believe that fitness, ambition and career success can go hand in hand”.

Beyond mountaineering, Kavita has also built a strong reputation in endurance running. An avid marathoner, she has won the Delhi and Mumbai Hyrox 2025 events in her age category and has completed three of the six races that form the Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star Challenge.

A former media professional, Kavita made a decisive shift in 2024 when she stepped away from her corporate career to focus full-time on her fitness journey — a move she describes as life-changing. She began running in 2017 and took up mountaineering only in 2024, reflecting the relatively recent yet rapid evolution of her athletic path. Having embraced serious fitness after becoming a mother, she has emerged as a relatable role model for professionals seeking balance, resilience and long-term well-being.

Kavita is married to Deepak Chand Thakur, CEO and co-founder of NPST, who has been a constant source of support throughout her journey.

With Antarctica’s icy summit behind her and greater challenges ahead, Kavita Chand continues to push boundaries — carrying her Uttarakhand roots with her as she moves steadily toward the world’s highest peaks.