Kavita Chand, Almora-born endurance athlete, unfurls the Tricolour atop Mount Vinson, continuing her mission to conquer the highest peaks on all seven continents
In a remarkable mountaineering achievement, Kavita Chand from Almora district in Uttarakhand has successfully scaled Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica, as part of her ambitious Seven Summits challenge. The 40-year-old endurance athlete unfurled the Indian tricolour at the summit, standing at 4,892 metres above sea level.
Originally from Dhara Naula in Almora, Kavita currently resides in Mumbai. Her inspiring journey from a remote hill village in Uttarakhand to one of the world’s most inaccessible and extreme peaks has drawn widespread admiration. With this feat, she moves a step closer to her goal of summiting the highest mountains across all seven continents. Earlier, she had successfully conquered Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe.
One of the Coldest and Most Isolated Peaks on Earth
Mount Vinson is notorious for its harsh Antarctic conditions, extreme isolation and icy terrain, where temperatures can plunge to minus 50 degrees Celsius. Despite these challenges, Kavita completed the expedition through meticulous preparation and endurance training.
Her journey to Antarctica began on December 3, when she departed India for Punta Arenas, Chile. On December 7, she flew beyond Union Glacier to reach Vinson Base Camp, situated at an altitude of around 2,100 metres. The final 40-minute flight from Union Glacier to Base Camp was undertaken in a ski-equipped aircraft, highlighting the complex logistics involved in Antarctic expeditions.
Expert Leadership and Indian Team Support
The expedition was led by renowned high-altitude guide Mingma David Sherpa and supported by experienced Indian mountaineer Bharath Thammineni through his expedition company, Boots and Crampons. Under expert guidance, the nine-member Indian team successfully reached the summit. Careful acclimatisation, strategic planning and strong coordination proved crucial in navigating the extreme Antarctic environment.
“Hoisting the Indian flag at the summit of Mount Vinson is a feeling beyond words. I hope this achievement inspires professionals to believe that fitness, ambition and career success can go hand in hand,” Kavita said after the summit.
From Corporate Career to Elite Endurance Athlete
Apart from mountaineering, Kavita Chand has made a mark in endurance running. A dedicated marathoner, she won the Delhi and Mumbai HYROX 2025 competitions in her age group and has completed three of the six marathons in the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star Challenge.
Formerly associated with the media industry, Kavita made a decisive shift in 2024, stepping away from her corporate career to pursue fitness full-time — a turning point she describes as life-changing. She began running in 2017 and took up mountaineering in 2024, marking a rapid yet disciplined athletic progression.
Embracing serious fitness after becoming a mother, Kavita has emerged as a role model for professionals seeking balance, resilience and long-term health. Her husband, Deepak Chand Thakur, co-founder of Network People Services Technologies Ltd (NPST), has been a constant source of support throughout her journey.