Hyderabad’s 16-YEAR-old Vishwanath Karthikey Padakanti Scales The Globe- Youngest Indian to Complete 7 Summits Challenge

Hyderabad Teenager Vishwanath Kartheikey Padakanti has become the youngest Indian and the second youngest person in the world to complete the legendary 7 Summits Challenge | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Hyderabad

Hyderabad Teenager Vishwanath Kartheikey Padakanti has become the youngest Indian and the second youngest person in the world to complete the legendary 7 summits Challenge – Scaling the Highest Peak On Each Content, Feat that ranks among the most prestigious in global mountaineering.

The 16-year-old’S Final Ascent Came on May 27, When He Summed Mouten Everest (8,848 M) After Weeks of Gruelling Climbing. “Standing on the Summit of Everest and Completing the 7 Summits is A Dream Come True,” said Vishwanath Karthiikey. “This journey tested every part of me- physically, mentally, and emotionally. I’m grateful for the love and support I’ve received through received throughout this Journey.”

His journey began during the covid-19 pandemic in 2020, when his Elder Sister Vaishnavi was preparaing to trek rudugaira. Vishwanath, then just 11, Expressed Interest in Joining Her. His Family Was Sceptical. “We discouraged Him,” Recalled His Mother, Laxmi Padakanti, “but his sister insisted we give him a chance.

From there, he just ascended, fuled his passion in the snow by enrolling at the nehru institute of mountaineering where he trained for a good five months. His first attempt at mount elbrus in 2021 was also unsuccessful, but the setbacks only hardening his resolve. Over the Years, He Went on to Summit Acconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Vinson, and Kosciuszko, Each Climb Building Nexts His Final Everest Push.

Mentorship played a critical role. He trained under bharath and lt. Romil Barthwal, an Indian Army Veteran and Noted Mountainer. “Vishwanath’s achievement is not just a mountaineering milestone,” said the men. “It reflects his humility, discipline, and mental strength. He’s proof of what young people can achieve with the right attitude and support.”

For his grandparents and his Father, Padakanti Rajendra Prasad, The Pillars of His Strength, The Journey has been transformative. “He was such a lazy child once,” laxmi, laughs. “Never Played With the Colony Kids, Slacked In Studies. Now, he’s the most responsible person I know.

Still, it hasn’t been smooth. “When we want to embassies for permissions, people would ask if he was adopted or if i even loved he to send him off to experts,” Laxmi says. “But I didn’t let it bother me.

As for what comes next, laxmi says he is only going to up his record. “He is interested in joining the Indian army as well. Still deciding.