Kaamya Karthikeyan, 18, Scripts History as Youngest Woman to Conquer Seven Summits and Ski to South Pole
Young Mountaineer Kaamya Karthikeyan Skis to South Pole, Completes Seven Summits Feat at 18
India, Dec 31 : Indian Navy praises historic achievement as Kaamya becomes youngest Indian and world’s second-youngest woman to ski to South Pole
The Indian Navy has lauded 18 year old mountaineer Kaamya Karthikeyan for achieving yet another extraordinary milestone in extreme adventure sports. Daughter of a naval officer and an alumna of Navy Children School (NCS), Kaamya has become the youngest Indian and the second-youngest woman globally to ski to the South Pole.
Braving extreme Antarctic conditions, including temperatures plunging to minus 30 degrees Celsius and fierce gale-force winds, Kaamya trekked nearly 60 nautical miles (approximately 115 kilometres) on foot from 89 degrees South. During the expedition, she hauled a sled carrying her entire gear, showcasing exceptional endurance and resilience. She successfully reached the South Pole on December 27, 2025.
Completing the Seven Summits Challenge
Kaamya is pursuing the prestigious Explorers Grand Slam, one of the toughest adventure challenges in the world, which involves summiting the highest peaks on all seven continents and skiing to both the North and South Poles.
Recently, she also scaled Mount Vinson Massif in Antarctica, completing the iconic Seven Summits Challenge. With this achievement, Kaamya has become the youngest female mountaineer in the world to conquer the highest peaks across all seven continents.
Reflecting on her journey, Kaamya said that summiting Mount Vinson felt surreal and expressed gratitude for the support she received throughout her journey. She added that the achievement motivates her to set new goals and hopes her journey inspires young Indians to dream big and pursue their ambitions with determination.
