At just 17 years old, Kaamya Karthikeyan has accomplished a feat most mountaineers can only dream of—scaling the tallest peaks on all seven continents, including the legendary Mount Everest. What began as a way to bond with her family in the mountains transformed into a record-breaking journey fueled by passion and perseverance.

Kaamya's ascent of Mount Everest holds special significance, not only because it is the highest peak but also because she climbed it alongside her father, Commander S.K. Karthikeyan. Facing treacherous weather on their route from Camp 3 to Camp 4, the duo pushed through while most climbers turned back. “Summiting Everest with my dad was a shared dream come true,” Kaamya said.

The young mountaineer's greatest challenge, however, was conquering Mount Denali in North America. Undertaken as part of an unguided expedition due to her age and gender, Kaamya endured the harshest conditions while carrying a 20kg backpack and a 50kg sled over a 20-day climb.

Kaamya credits her success to her disciplined upbringing and her family's unwavering support. “If my dad hadn't started climbing in the Himalayas and my mom hadn't supported me on my initial climbs, this journey wouldn't have been possible,” she shared.

Looking to the future, Kaamya aims to become the youngest person to complete the Explorer's Grand Slam—climbing the Seven Summits and skiing to the North and South Poles. “I hope to ski to both Poles in 2025,” she revealed, demonstrating her relentless determination to push boundaries.