43-Year-Old Shivani Mehrotra Scales Mount Elbrus, Sets Sights on Everest

Mumbai-based mountaineer Shivani Mehrotra, 43, celebrated Independence Day in a remarkable way by unfurling the Tricolour atop Mount Elbrus in Russia, Europe’s highest peak, on August 15.

A native of Uttar Pradesh’s Sitapur district, Mehrotra moved to Mumbai after marriage and has been balancing motherhood, family responsibilities and her passion for mountaineering. She said her journey has been supported by her parents, husband, 18-year-old daughter and friends.

“I always believe that age is just a number,” Mehrotra said, emphasising that discipline and determination matter more than age while pursuing challenging goals. She also pointed to the relatively small number of women above 40 participating in high-altitude mountaineering.

Her interest in the mountains began in 2019, when she planned a trek to Everest Base Camp with a friend. The experience developed into a sustained passion, taking her across Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and other Himalayan regions. She later completed demanding climbs, including Friendship Peak and Mount Kilimanjaro, besides undertaking four of five major Kailash-related treks she has planned.

Her 10-day Elbrus expedition began from Mumbai on August 8. The climb involved severe weather, snowfall, rain and difficult high-altitude conditions. The team completed acclimatisation climbs to approximately 3,000, 4,000 and 4,700 metres before attempting the summit.

On summit day, the climbers began at around 2 am. Mehrotra said darkness, freezing temperatures, strong winds, heavy gear and low oxygen made the ascent particularly difficult. She kept repeating, “Rukna nahin hai, chalte rehna hai” (You cannot stop, you have to keep walking), reaching the summit in about four and a half hours.

An ultra-runner and trained yoga practitioner, Mehrotra follows a rigorous fitness routine combining yoga, gym workouts, running and trekking.

Her ultimate ambition is Mount Everest and the Seven Summits. With an Everest expedition estimated to cost Rs 40-50 lakh, she plans to continue funding her climbs largely through her own savings.