India has added another extraordinary chapter to its mountaineering legacy, with climber Rohtash Khileri pulling off a feat few would dare to imagine.
Battling extreme cold, violent winds and thin air, Khileri successfully spent 24 hours at the summit of Mount Elbrus—without using supplemental oxygen—making him the first person in the world to do so. He revealed the achievement through a post on social media, calling it the culmination of nearly a decade of perseverance. Rising to 18,510 feet in Russia’s Caucasus Mountains, Mount Elbrus is Europe’s tallest peak and part of the elite Seven Summits. Known for its harsh climate, glaciers and unpredictable weather, the mountain posed a brutal test even for an experienced climber like Khileri. Rohtash Khileri Sets Historic World Record Atop Mount Elbrus Khileri announced the milestone on X (formerly Twitter), describing the 24-hour oxygen-free stay as the result of an eight-year-long struggle. In his post, he wrote: “WORLD RECORD | First human to stay 24 hours on Europe’s highest peak — without oxygen. ‘24 Hours on the Top of Europe!’ Ye post likhna aasaan nahi hai… kyunki isme 8 saal ka dard, intezaar aur ek pagalpan bhara sapna juda hai (Writing this post is not easy because it carries eight years of pain, waiting and a mad dream)." He explained that he had no company during the climb or at the summit due to the brutal conditions. “Main akela hi climb kiya aur akela ruka. Is haddi todne wali thand mein koi bhi mere saath rukne ko taiyar nahi tha (I climbed alone and stayed alone. In this bone-breaking cold, no one was willing to stay with me)." Detailing the severity of the weather, Khileri added, “Hawa ki raftaar 50–60 km/h tak, thand –40°C, aur Wind Chill –50°C se bhi niche (Wind speeds reached 50–60 km/h, temperatures dropped to –40°C and wind chill went below –50°C)." He also noted that the record-breaking attempt came after several failed or interrupted climbs since 2018, many of which were cut short due to emergencies or extreme weather. ‘The Mountain Took My Fingers, Not My Dream’ - Shares Rohtash Khileri Khileri did not shy away from sharing the physical toll of his journey, revealing that earlier attempts had cost him dearly. “Frostbite mein meri do ungliyan chali gayi, lekin mera sapna nahi toota (I lost two fingers to frostbite, but my dream did not break)," he wrote.
Calling the 24-hour summit stay the toughest challenge of his life, he credited his Everest training and years of support for helping him push through. Along with his post, Khileri shared a video from the summit showing the Indian flag waving amid fierce winds and heavy snowfall. In the clip, his eyebrows and moustache appear frozen as he begins his descent, cautioning viewers about the worsening weather.
Social Media Reacts To Rohtash Khileri's Achievement
Khileri’s achievement quickly drew widespread admiration online, with users applauding his resilience and determination. One comment read, “We salute your zeal and the endurance! Every Indian should be proud of you." Another added, “Brother, today the entire nation is proud of you."
