India’s Youngest Male Mountaineer Urges Government To Promote Mountaineering In India

NEW DELHI: Narendra Singh Yadav, India's youngest male mountaineer to conquer the Seven Summits, has called on the government to better promote mountaineering in the country and recognize the contributions of climbers beyond their role in natural disaster response.

On December 25, Yadav reached the summit of Antarctica's highest peak, Mount Vinson Massif, enduring temperatures as low as -52°C. This achievement marked the completion of his journey to summit the highest mountains on each of the seven continents.

At 30 years old, Yadav pointed out that India’s risk-averse culture presents a significant obstacle to the growth of mountaineering and other adventure sports.

“The value of mountaineers is often understood by the government only when natural disasters like earthquakes or floods strike. At the district level, a dedicated rescue force needs to be created,” Yadav said.

“We train our children to be risk-averse from the start. We always stress on striving for those things that are easily available. Mountaineering should be promoted not just as a sport, but as a way to connect with nature, appreciate it, and learn how to preserve and protect it,” he added.

Yadav’s passion for mountaineering was sparked by his cousin, Santosh Yadav, the first woman to summit Mount Everest twice. His father, an Indian Army veteran and instructor at the High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) in Gulmarg, also played a key role in guiding his mountaineering journey.

When asked which peak was the most challenging, Yadav mentioned Mount Denali in Alaska.

“Every mountain presents unique challenges – altitude, weather, and terrain. While peaks exceeding 5,000-6,000 meters can be extremely difficult, Mount Denali proved the most challenging for me, both technically and physically,” he explained.

Yadav also urged aspiring mountaineers to ensure they are technically skilled and physically and mentally prepared before attempting high-altitude climbs.

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