Nagpur: In an extraordinary display of courage, endurance, and pride, Dr. Kshitija Kadam, a 55-year-old faculty member at the Government College of Engineering, Nagpur, has achieved a rare feat, scaling Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, rising 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level. She was part of a six-member Indian team, and the only woman among them, a report in a local daily said.
Six days to the sky: A journey beyond limits
Gold Rate
10 Oct 2025
The expedition began on September 4, 2025, via the historic Marangu Route, one of Kilimanjaro’s oldest and most scenic paths. While its lush rainforests and panoramic views deceive many into believing it’s easy, the route is known for its steep ascent and only 50–70% success rate.
The team trekked through misty rainforests, windswept heathlands, and barren alpine deserts before reaching Kibo Hut, the base camp. On September 7, after 11 gruelling hours of non-stop climbing through biting cold and fierce winds, Dr. Kadam and her team stood atop Uhuru Peak at 10:30 a.m. on September 8, victorious, exhausted, and overwhelmed.
“The cold was numbing. The wind was merciless. Every step felt like a battle between mind and body. But we pushed on… for something bigger than ourselves,” Dr. Kadam recounted.
But reaching the summit was just half the challenge. The team began their descent by 4 p.m., sliding down steep, dusty slopes back to Kibo Hut. After a brief rest and meal, they marched another 12 kilometres, finally reaching Horombo Hut by 10 p.m.
“Those 24 hours tested every ounce of our physical and mental strength,” she said. “But when we finally made it, the triumph erased all the pain.”
‘It’s not the gear, it’s the grit’
Dr. Kadam believes that Indian trekkers may lack luxury gear, but they make up for it with unmatched resilience.
“We Indians have a different kind of mental endurance. It’s not in the shoes or the jackets, it’s in the mind. That’s what takes you to the top,” she said proudly. Her climb was not for personal glory alone. It carried a message for Indian women — to dream fearlessly and rise above social barriers.
“I knew if I failed, many women might give up before even trying. I had to succeed — for them, for their samman (dignity), and to prove that age or gender never defines our limits,” she said.
A Saree at the summit: Pride of Maharashtra
Fulfilling a heartfelt dream, Dr. Kadam stood at the summit draped in a traditional Marathi ‘navvari’ saree and wearing a ‘nath’ (nose ring), a powerful symbol of her cultural pride.
“It was on my bucket list, to carry my culture to the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Wearing the traditional dress was my salute to every Marathi woman who blends tradition with strength,” she said.
Guided by her mentor — her son
Dr. Kadam attributes her success to her son Shashwat Kadam, a state-level cyclist, marathoner, and trekker, who she describes as her greatest motivator. She also expressed heartfelt gratitude to her mentors and companions, Principal Dr. Borkar, Joint Director Dr. Daigavane, Director of Technical Education Dr. Mohitkar, and her energetic team members Panna Lal Sevak (63), Dr. Rajendra Rai (50), Vijay Dhanjode (48), Sandeep Chati (45), and Vivek Jaiswal (45).
With her feat, Dr. Kshitija Kadam has not only conquered Africa’s tallest peak but also broken the barriers of age, gender, and convention, reminding the world that true strength lies not in the body, but in the will to rise.
