Sriperambuduru Jaahnavi of Srikakulam district will set her foot on Stok Kangri, located at a height of 20,080 ft (6,125 m), in her first practice climbing on August 2
She had her first brush with adventure at the age of 10 months! You read it right. She was only a toddler when she accompanied her parents on her first trek to Ananthagiri forest in 2002.
By the time she turned 10, she completed two high-altitude treks, five national treks, and 25 local treks.
She has now set her sight on scaling all the major summits in the world. She is preparing for her High Altitude Expeditions in Leh, Ladakh, for advanced training in mountaineering skills. She will go to Stok Kangri, located at a height of 20,080 ft (6,125 m), in her first practice climbing on August 2 this year.
Meet Sriperambuduru Jaahnavi of Srikakulam district, who is an inspiration for young girl mountain-climbers in the State. Her father Krishna Rao is also her coach from her childhood in mountaineering and martial arts.
Dr. Krishna Rao, a qualified mountaineer, a high-altitude rescuer, and wilderness first responder trainer, has charted her career from childhood.
Jaahnavi, now 12 years and 8 months old, is studying in Class IX at St. Michael’s in Hyderabad.
At the age of 9 in 2010, she successfully completed the Roop Kund trek (16,000 ft). In the following year, she participated in the National Himalayan Trek, organised by the Youth Hostels’ Association of India, with special permission, and successfully completed the first batch of the trek scaling 10,000 ft. She was the youngest girl to climb the Venkatagiri Durgam, considered to be the highest in Andhra Pradesh, in 2013.
“I plan to scale all the seven highest summits in the world sometime next year,” says Jaahnavi, who draws inspiration from Bachendri Pal and Malli Mastan Babu (of Nellore). Her ultimate aim is to scale the Mt. Everest, the highest peak in the world.
“The trekking at Roop Kund was challenging. It was a test of my endurance, energy levels, and decision-making power,” she said while recalling the expedition.
“There is always an element of risk in adventure. But, the thrill and winning over nature gives immense satisfaction,” said Dr. Krishna Rao, who had trained many in adventure sports and martial arts in Toronto, Canada.
Visakhapatnam Sports Journalists’ Association secretary N. Nageswara Rao and Adventure Cultural and Tourism of India Director T. Chandrasekhar are coordinating the training of the girl in the coastal areas.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by B. Madhu Gopal / Visakhapatnam – July 15th, 2014