Arjun aims for new heights
Mountaineer Arjun Vajpai
Once again, Arjun Vajpai, 19, India’s youngest mountaineer is ready to scale another peak. Arjun, who had to call off his expedition to Mt Cho Oyu and Mt. Shishamangma last year, is set to climb Mt. Makalu, the fifth highest mountain in the world.
With this, Arjun hopes to achieve another world record — of being the youngest in the world to climb this 8,481 metre high peak located on the southeast of Mount Everest, on the border between Nepal and China.
Arjun plans to climb all the fourteen 8,000 metre peaks in the world. Only 28 climbers in the world have climbed all of them and there is no Indian on the list.
“Only 14 people have managed to scale Mt. Makalu as it is considered to be one of the most treacherous climbs. It is an isolated peak whose shape is a four-sided pyramid. When I told my parents that I want to attempt climbing this one, they were a little hesitant,” says Arjun, who going to spend the next two months on this expedition.
“For next two months, I’ll be sleeping on ice, so I am enjoying sleeping on my bed the most at present. And like every time, I am going to miss home-cooked food. Still I have other alternatives. I am carrying the whole series of Two and a Half Men and a hard disk full of movies to keep me occupied,” shares Arjun.
Arjun has already completed three 8,000 metre peaks since May 2010 and the experience is going to help him. “We have prepared harder for this one as it is one of the most difficult peaks. I have a bigger team, more experienced Sherpa and I am going to be well equipped and take it slow,” he says.
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