At 43, This Indian Mom Climbed Europe’s Highest Peak With the Tricolour!
For 43-year-old Shivani Mehrotra, the mountains were never part of a childhood dream. Her journey began in 2019, when she planned a trek to Mount Everest Base Camp with her best friend. That first adventure changed everything.What began as a single trek soon became a passion. From Kashmir and Ladakh to the Himalayas, Mehrotra gradually took on more challenging climbs, including Friendship Peak and Mount Kilimanjaro. She has also completed four of the five major Kailash-related treks she has set for herself.But her biggest dream is still waiting—Mount Everest and the Seven Summits.While chasing mountain peaks, Mehrotra has also been raising her 18-year-old daughter and managing family responsibilities. Based in Mumbai with her family, she credits her parents, husband, daughter and friends for giving her the confidence to keep climbing. She also points out how uncommon it is to see women over 40 taking on high-altitude expeditions.For Mehrotra, however, age is not a limitation. Discipline, determination and mental strength matter far more.The Battle for Mount ElbrusThis Independence Day brought a particularly special achievement. On August 15, 2026, Mehrotra stood atop Mount Elbrus in Russia, Europe’s highest peak, and unfurled the Indian Tricolour. Her 10-day expedition began from Mumbai on August 8, followed by travel through Dubai to Mineralnye Vody. Before the final summit attempt, she completed acclimatisation climbs at approximately 3,000, 4,000 and 4,700 metres.Then came summit day. The team began climbing at around 2 am, battling darkness, freezing temperatures, snowfall, strong winds, heavy equipment and thinning oxygen.Her mantra kept her moving: “Rukna nahin hai, chalte rehna hai”—you cannot stop, you have to keep walking.Around four and a half hours later, she reached the summit.When the Body Says Stop, the Mind Says GoAt extreme altitude, even simple movements can become exhausting. Mehrotra says the final stretch of a climb often becomes a battle of the mind.One lesson stayed with her: the moment you feel you cannot go any further may actually be where the real climb begins. An ultra-runner, marathoner and advanced yoga practitioner, Mehrotra maintains a rigorous fitness routine combining yoga, running, gym workouts and trekking preparation. She has also taught yoga for around six years, including specialised programmes for pre- and post-natal women and cancer patients.Now, her sights are firmly set on Everest. The financial challenge is enormous, with an Everest expedition potentially costing ₹40–50 lakh. Mehrotra says she has largely funded her expeditions through savings from her yoga profession.At 43, her journey is far from over. Shivani isn’t looking back at how far she has come. She is looking up at the next mountain.
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