Kavita Chand Sets New Record on Mount Kilimanjaro with Speed Climb

Historic Achievement by Indian Mountaineer

In a remarkable feat, Indian endurance athlete and mountaineer Kavita Chand has made history by becoming the first Indian to complete a round trip of Mount Kilimanjaro in less than 24 hours. She accomplished this incredible challenge in just 22 hours and 36 minutes, which includes an ascent time of 12 hours and 46 minutes, showcasing her exceptional skills on Africa's tallest peak.

Kavita followed the Mweka Gate to Uhuru Peak and back to Mweka Gate route, reaching the summit at an impressive height of 5,895 meters. Her ascent time is particularly noteworthy, as typical expeditions to Kilimanjaro usually span five to nine days to allow climbers to acclimatize to the altitude.

To prepare for this challenge, Kavita underwent three months of rigorous training for the Chicago Marathon, which took place on October 11. During this period, she ran between 70 to 90 kilometers weekly and engaged in strength training three times a week, ultimately finishing as the third-fastest Indian woman in the marathon.

Following the marathon, she embarked on an expedition to Himlung Himal (7,126 meters) in Nepal. Although she did not reach the summit, she acclimatized to around 6,600 meters, gaining crucial high-altitude experience before her Kilimanjaro attempt.

Kavita shared her motivation for the speed climb, stating, "Kilimanjaro was already on my list as part of my Seven Summits journey. After some suggestions to attempt a speed climb, I decided to make the experience even more thrilling. Completing the ascent in 12 hours and 46 minutes and the entire round trip in 22 hours and 36 minutes is incredibly special. I am grateful to Bharath and Romil from Boots & Crampons and the entire support team for their assistance in making this possible."

The expedition was meticulously organized by Bharath and Romil from Boots & Crampons, who collaborated with local teams in Tanzania for logistics, route planning, and safety measures. An advance team set up a camp at Barafu Camp, situated at 4,673 meters, prior to Kavita's arrival. She was accompanied by Guide 1 during the summit push, supported by a summit porter, while Guide 2 assisted her during the ascent and descent. Emmanuel managed local arrangements in Tanzania.

Bharath from Boots & Crampons commented on Kavita's achievement, saying, "Completing the Kilimanjaro round trip in under 24 hours is an extraordinary accomplishment. Kavita's determination, endurance, and preparation were key to this success. We are proud to have supported her in achieving this milestone for Indian mountaineering."

Kilimanjaro marks the fifth mountain Kavita has conquered as part of her Seven Summits journey, which aims to reach the highest peak on each continent. She has completed five of the six World Marathon Majors and has participated in numerous other marathons. Her previous mountaineering successes include Elbrus, Denali, Vinson, and Aconcagua.

This successful expedition not only adds to her Seven Summits journey but also sets a new benchmark for Indian mountaineering.