Advait Bhartiya is a 9 years old boy from Pune in Maharashtra. He has climbed the highest peak in Africa- Mount Kilimanjaro in a matter of just 7 days. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest free-standing mountain in the world at 19,341 feet above sea level.
Advait achieved this feat on July 31 under the guidance and supervision of his expedition leader Samir Patham. The little boy took the most recommended Machame route beginning at the southern base of the mountain. Advait has successfully trekked to the Everest base camp in 2016. He finished the summit in seven days too. He next wants to climb Europe’s highest peak Mount Elbrus.
He says the trek was extremely difficult but it was fun to climb it as the experience was beautiful with mountains covered in snow. They lived in wooden houses at the Everest Base Camp earlier. But here they stayed in tents and it was all a magical experience for the boy. “I could have completed the trek faster but the mountains were very beautiful and I took a lot of breaks to take in the beauty,” Advait said.
He braved challenges like thin air, reducing atmospheric oxygen by approximately 50 per cent, and sub-zero temperatures ranging between minus 21 and 25 degrees Celsius at higher altitudes during his expedition. To climb Kilimanjaro, cost varies heavily. But even the cost did not deter this child and his mother to achieve their dreams.
Advait underwent stringent training over a period of two months to prepare for the climb. His routine included swimming, cardiovascular training like playing football, cricket and tennis, climbing 100 floors and practising Parkour (military obstacle training) regularly, mentioned his mother Payal Bhartiya who is proud of Advait’s dedication and hardwork. Payal had accompanied her son during the hike but had to cut short her journey by 1000 ft. as she was not able to adapt to the increasing altitude.
