Sixteen-year-old Nisha Sasikumar has achieved a remarkable feat in global mountaineering, becoming the youngest woman in the world to summit Mount Everest via the South Col route from Nepal, the only route currently
open to climbers.
This Chennai teen reached the 8,848.86-metre summit on May 25 at the age of 16 years and 80 days, turning years of ambition, preparation and visualisation into a historic accomplishment.
A Dream Visualised Long Before It Became Reality
Long before she set foot on Everest, Nisha regularly imagined every detail of the climb. She pictured herself carrying a heavy backpack, managing climbing equipment, wearing multiple layers against the cold and shouldering an oxygen cylinder as she made her way toward the summit.
When she finally stood atop the world’s highest mountain, clutching the Indian flag, her school flag and a Harry Potter toy she had carried throughout the expedition, the moment felt familiar.
Reflecting on the achievement, Nisha said the experience reinforced her belief in the power of visualisation. For years, she had imagined crossing the iconic Hillary Step and stepping onto the summit, and seeing those scenes unfold in reality made the achievement even more meaningful.
Inspired By Her Father’s Passion For Climbing
Raised in a coastal city far removed from towering mountain ranges, Nisha’s interest in mountaineering developed after watching her father take up climbing as a hobby, as reported by The New Indian Express.
His enthusiasm for the sport eventually inspired her own journey into high-altitude expeditions, a path that would lead her to some of the world’s most challenging peaks before she even turned 17.
Forty Days On Everest
Nisha’s Everest expedition began on April 15 when she arrived in Lukla from Kathmandu. The first phase involved an eight-day trek to Everest Base Camp, followed by weeks of acclimatisation, technical training and rotational climbs through the Khumbu Icefall.
She climbed progressively through Camp 1, Camp 2 and Camp 3 as a part of her preparation process, before attempting the summit. Throughout the expedition, she was supported by Sherpa guides Tenji Sherpa, Phura Dorji Sherpa and Phursang Sherpa.
The final push towards the summit commenced on May 19 and involved approximately six days of continuous ascent, followed by a three-day descent after reaching the top.
Part Of The Seven Summits Mission
Everest is the latest milestone in Nisha’s ambitious quest to complete the renowned Seven Summits challenge, which involves climbing the highest mountain on each of the seven continents.
Over the past year, she has successfully summited Mount Elbrus in Europe, Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mount Kosciuszko in Australia, Carstensz Pyramid in Oceania, Aconcagua in South America and now Mount Everest in Asia.
In October 2025, she was recognised by the India Book of Records as the youngest female climber to summit Carstensz Pyramid. Among all her climbs, she considers Carstensz Pyramid her favourite because of the advanced technical skills required to complete it.
Months Of Intensive Preparation
Nisha said her training schedule had been relentless since December 2024. Preparation intensified significantly in January 2026 as she worked out for at least two hours daily, with some sessions stretching to four hours.
Her training programme included a range of technical mountaineering skills such as ascending, rappelling, traversing and ice climbing. She also travelled to Bengaluru for specialised rock-climbing exercises to strengthen her abilities ahead of the Everest expedition.
Despite the physical demands of the challenge, she never doubted her readiness. Instead, she focused on the excitement of the climb and the experiences that came with spending extended periods in the mountains alongside fellow climbers.
Injury, Separation And Harsh Conditions
The expedition was not without setbacks. At one stage, Nisha suffered a hamstring tear and was forced to descend to Kathmandu for treatment before returning to continue the acclimatisation rotations. She also faced an emotional challenge when her father, who had accompanied her during the expedition, had to abandon the climb and return home because of a medical emergency. As a result, she undertook the final summit push without him.
Nisha said thoughts of making her family and friends proud helped her remain focused during the most difficult moments.
The climb itself presented a range of physical challenges. Much of the ascent took place at night in freezing temperatures and near-total darkness, conditions she described as intimidating and physically exhausting.
By contrast, some lower sections of the route experienced intense sunlight, creating a different challenge altogether. Climbers had to carry and consume larger quantities of water to cope with the heat during the day.
More Than A Record
While her achievements have earned international recognition, Nisha says the journey has evolved beyond setting records.
She now hopes her story encourages others to pursue ambitious goals, regardless of age or background. According to her, the message is simple: if one person can achieve something extraordinary, others can as well.
Challenging Stereotypes In Mountaineering
Nisha is also determined to challenge perceptions that mountaineering is primarily a male-dominated sport.
She believes women possess strong endurance capabilities and notes that female climbers often record impressive success rates during summit attempts. By highlighting these achievements, she hopes to inspire more girls and young women to take up climbing.
One of the most important lessons she carried away from Everest was the value of kindness. Whether interacting with Sherpas or fellow climbers along the route, she made a point of greeting people with a smile or a wave, believing small gestures can have a meaningful impact.
Next Stop: Alaska
Nisha’s mountaineering journey is far from over. She is already preparing for her next challenge, with plans to attempt Denali in Alaska later this month and Vinson Massif in Antarctica in November 2026.
Her goal is clear: to complete the Seven Summits challenge before her 17th birthday and continue pushing the boundaries of what young climbers can achieve.
