Everest Quest Continues for Hyderabad Mountaineers Despite Recent Tragedies

Hyderabad’s mountaineering community is experiencing an unprecedented surge in interest for Mount Everest expeditions, defying recent tragedies on the world’s highest peak. Trainers and adventure companies in the city report a significant increase in inquiries for the 2026 climbing season, with women and young professionals prominently driving this new wave of enthusiasm.

This heightened interest comes despite the deaths of two climbers from Telugu states, including Arun Kumar Tiwari from Hyderabad, in May. Far from dampening spirits, organizers suggest that these incidents have sharpened awareness of risks, leading to more thorough preparation among aspirants.

Explosion in Enquiries

Bharath Thammineni, co-founder of Boots and Crampons, highlighted the dramatic shift. “Earlier, we would get six to eight serious enquiries annually. This year alone, we’ve had nearly 35,” he stated. What was once a small contingent from Hyderabad attempting Everest each year could now swell to 40-45 next season. This trend is fueled by post-pandemic lifestyle changes, a growing fitness culture, and the influential role of social media, where climbers share their expedition journeys, making Everest appear more attainable.

Local role models, successful Hyderabad-based climbers who have summited Everest, are also inspiring new aspirants. Most individuals pursuing this dream are not students but professionals in their late 20s and 30s. The youngest in the current batch, according to Thammineni, is a 29-year-old woman.

Financial and Training Demands

Attempting Mount Everest is a substantial undertaking, demanding not only peak physical fitness but also years of technical training and a significant financial investment. An expedition typically costs between Rs 50-60 lakh per person, covering permits, Sherpa support, oxygen, insurance, and specialized gear. Nepal’s permit fee alone saw a jump from Rs 11 lakh to Rs 15 lakh last year.

Meda Venkata Suresh of Edge Adventures emphasized that obtaining permits is often easier than completing the required rigorous training. He stressed the necessity of advanced courses and prior climbs above 7,000 meters to adequately prepare for Everest’s challenges.

Key facts

Awareness and Women’s Growing Role

Hari Charan Singh of WildWoods Adventure noted that recent tragedies have increased awareness rather than diminished enthusiasm. “The risks are clearer now, but interest is stronger. We’ve had more calls this year than ever before,” he explained.

Women are increasingly visible in Hyderabad’s climbing cohorts, from CISF sub-inspector Geeta Samota to young professionals. Despite unique challenges such as managing menstrual health at high altitudes, privacy concerns in remote camps, and balancing training with family responsibilities, their numbers are rising. Bengaluru-based climber Sreesha Ravindran, who joined a Hyderabad expedition, also confirmed a sharp increase in women participating in advanced climbing programs. “Mountains don’t see gender. Today, more women are stepping into mountaineering than ever before,” she said.

Environmental responsibility is also a core part of the training, with climbers learning waste management, including carrying out human waste or digging designated pits.

The Ultimate Challenge

An Everest expedition is an arduous 6-8 week journey, involving progression through five camps before the final summit push. Climbers face extreme conditions, melting snow for water, battling frostbite, and navigating narrow weather windows. Sherpas play a crucial role, hauling heavy supplies, while climbers carry their personal gear.

For many, Everest is the culmination of years of disciplined preparation, often involving ascents of other peaks across continents like Kilimanjaro and Elbrus. Tulasi Reddy Palpunoori, a 32-year-old Hyderabad resident, exemplifies this dedication, having trained in Jammu and Kashmir and summited peaks in Africa, Europe, and Australia before attempting Everest. He acknowledged the dangers, stating, “In our group, two climbers suffered frostbite and two others died. It was disturbing, but it reinforced the importance of preparation.”

Nepal has also introduced stricter regulations, requiring climbers to have previously summited a peak above 7,000 meters before attempting Everest. This aims to ensure only adequately prepared mountaineers take on the challenge. Despite the hurdles and inherent risks, the dream of Everest remains vibrantly alive in Hyderabad, transforming the city into a burgeoning hub for serious mountaineering.

Source: Times of India – Hyderabad, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/everest-deaths-fail-to-quell-peak-quest-in-hyd/articleshow/131712172.cms