Affectionately known as the mountain daughter, climber Baljeet Kaur is a mountaineer from Himachal Pradesh, India. Having gone through a relatively normal childhood in the village Palashta Panjrol, where her father worked as a bus driver with the state Transport Corporation, she completed her higher secondary education at a government-run school before joining the National Cadet Corps. It was during her time at an NCC camp that she had her first taste of the mountains, going on an expedition to Mount Dev Tibba.
After this successful venture, expedition organisers saw fit to add her to a 10-member NCC team to scale Mount Trishul. This experience was the launchpad that climber Baljeet Kaur needed to set her off on a pioneering adventure, blazing a trail as one of India’s leading climbers, summiting several 8000-meter peaks.
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The Many Peaks of Climber Baljeet Kaur
Like many climbers and mountaineers, Kaur had her sights set on Mount Everest, the highest summit on the globe. Her expeditions to the top of Mt Everest were fraught with challenges. Having failed the first two attempts, Kaur was able to have her breakthrough, crossing the 8,000m peak on her third attempt. Following this success, Baljeet Kaur set off on other Himalayan summits around Himachal Pradesh and Nepal, going up Mt Lhotse, Mount Makalu, Mount Manaslu, the 8,167-meter Mount Dhaulagiri, Mount Pumori, and Mount Kanchenjunga.
Her climb of Mount Lhotse came 25 hours after she had summited Mt Everest. Making her the first Indian woman to complete the climb. Additionally, climber Baljeet Kaur is the only Indian woman to climb several 8,000-meter peaks in a single climbing season. Her success, though, has not been unchallenged in her attempt to summit Mount Annapurna.
Adversity at Mt Annapurna
Climber Baljeet Kaur captured worldwide attention when reports of her disappearance surfaced. She vanished while descending from Mount Annapurna, the world’s 10th-highest peak. Struggling against the odds for nearly 19 hours in the snow, she battled for her life. Baljeet summited Annapurna with two guides at approximately 5:15 pm on Monday but encountered breathing challenges on the return journey, leading to her disappearance before reaching the base camp.
Contact via radio signal was lost, but on Tuesday morning, she managed to send a signal indicating her proximity to Base Camp-4. She requested immediate assistance, and upon reaching Base Camp-4, she was airlifted to Kathmandu Hospital in Nepal. After her condition improved, she was transported back to Himachal Pradesh. The rescue operation, initiated based on her GPS location at an altitude of 7,375 meters, involved three helicopters. She was found around 1 pm, after which she was airlifted and transferred to a hospital in Kathmandu.
Lookin Ahead
Since her ordeal at Annapurna, Kaur has made a full recovery and has continued to climb. She has also claimed several awards and recognitions, making her one of India’s leading mountaineers. Climber Baljeet Kaur is a decorated Indian mountaineer recognized for her incredible high-altitude achievements. In 2017, she was honored with the Raksha Mantri Padak for her role in the 2016 Everest expedition, and in July 2022, she received the NCC Achiever Award from the Director General of NCC.
Looking ahead, Baljeet Kaur remains committed to her mission of conquering all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks without supplemental oxygen, a rare and formidable feat. Inspired by her survival on Annapurna, she has adopted a more mindful approach to mountaineering, focusing on physical endurance, mental resilience, and safety. Kaur also aims to inspire young Indian women to break barriers in adventure sports, sharing her journey through talks, training programs, and community outreach. Her eyes are now set on the next summit, driven by both purpose and passion.
Why Baljeet Kaur’s Journey Resonates with Global Indians
Baljeet Kaur’s ascent from a small Himachali village to the world’s highest peaks strikes a powerful chord with global Indians. Her story mirrors the journey of millions who rise beyond limitations, carry their roots across borders, and redefine what Indian resilience looks like on the world stage. For the global Indian community, Baljeet represents more than a climber; she embodies the spirit of ambition, courage, and quiet grit that global Indians are known for. Her triumphs remind the worldwide Indian community that no matter where they live, the pursuit of greatness is bound not by geography but by determination.
Conclusion
Climber Baljeet Kaur serves as an inspiring figure in the mountaineering community, exemplifying resilience and determination. Her journey from a small village in Himachal Pradesh to scaling formidable peaks worldwide is a testament to her indomitable spirit. Overcoming challenges like her adversity at Mt. Annapurna, she continually pushes her limits, proving that dreams can be pursued with passion and perseverance. As she looks towards future expeditions, Kaur remains a beacon of motivation for aspiring climbers, and her achievements highlight the boundless opportunities available to those who dare to reach for the sky. Her legacy is an enduring story of courage and aspiration.
FAQs
Did Baljeet Kaur Climb Mount Everest?
Yes, Baljeet Kaur did summit Mt Everest; in fact, she has climbed the four highest peaks in the world and is on a mission to summit all the peaks 8000 meters above sea level. Â Baljeet Kaur has many firsts to her name. The 27-year-old is the first Indian woman to scale five 8,000m peaks in less than 30 days.
Has Baljeet Kaur faced any life-threatening experiences in her expeditions?
Yes, Baljeet had a near-fatal experience on Mount Annapurna. After summiting, she encountered breathing difficulties during her descent and went missing for approximately 19 hours.
What inspired Baljeet’s mountaineering journey, and how did she get started?
Baljeet’s passion began in childhood, born out of a fascination with snow, even though she didn’t experience it until later. Her real turning point came upon reading a news article in 2014 about Malavath Purna, which ignited her dream to climb Everest.
