Baljeet Kaur: Himachal’s Daughter Conquering the World’s Highest Peaks

This blog explores Baljeet Kaur, inspiring journey from humble beginnings to conquering some of the world’s highest mountains, breaking records, and surviving near-death experiences.

In the rugged terrain of the Himalayas, where peaks touch the sky and valleys run deep, extraordinary stories of human determination and courage are born. One such remarkable story is that of Baljeet Kaur, a young woman from a small village in Himachal Pradesh who has risen to become one of India’s most accomplished mountaineers.

Early Life and Background

Born on November 29, 1995, in the village of Palashta Panjrol in Tehsil Kandaghat, District Solan, Himachal Pradesh, Baljeet Kaur’s upbringing was simple yet deeply rooted in the mountainous culture of the region. Her father, Amrik Singh, works as a bus driver with the Himachal Pradesh Transport Corporation, while her mother, Shanti Devi, is a housewife. Growing up with her two siblings, Baljeet’s childhood was typical of rural Himachal—she attended the local government school and balanced her studies with farming and household chores.

Life in a small Himalayan village instilled in Baljeet a natural affinity for the mountains and a resilience that would later define her mountaineering career. The financial constraints of her family meant that pursuing an unconventional dream like mountaineering would require extraordinary determination and support.

First Steps in Mountaineering

Baljeet’s journey into mountaineering began during her school years when she joined the National Cadet Corps (NCC). It was during an NCC camp that she first experienced mountaineering, igniting a passion that would shape her future. At the young age of 20, her potential was recognized when she was selected for an NCC expedition to Mount Dev Tibba.

In 2015, she participated in an expedition to scale Mount Trishul (7,120 meters) as part of a 10-member NCC mountaineering team. This early exposure to high-altitude climbing laid the foundation for her future achievements and gave her valuable experience in navigating challenging terrain.

Breaking Barriers: The Everest Dream

Like many mountaineers, Baljeet set her sights on the ultimate challenge—Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. After two unsuccessful attempts, perseverance finally paid off when she embarked on her third Everest expedition on May 17, 2022. After five days of strenuous effort in extreme conditions, Baljeet realized her dream by reaching the summit, hoisting the Indian tricolor atop the world’s highest mountain.

This achievement was significant not just for Baljeet personally but for Indian women in mountaineering. However, it was just the beginning of what would become an extraordinary year of mountaineering accomplishments.

Record-Breaking Achievements

What truly distinguishes Baljeet Kaur in the world of mountaineering is her unprecedented accomplishment of conquering multiple 8,000-meter peaks in rapid succession. In 2022, she became the first Indian woman to climb five 8,000-meter peaks in less than 30 days—a feat that astounded the global mountaineering community.

Her remarkable achievements include:

1. First Indian to scale Mount Annapurna and Mount Kanchenjunga within 14 days
2. First Indian to climb Mount Everest (8,848m), Mount Lhotse (8,516m), and Mount Makalu (8,485m) within just 7 days
3. First Indian to complete the Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse summits in just 25 hours
4. First Indian woman to summit Mount Manaslu (8,163m) without supplemental oxygen in November 2022
5. First Indian woman mountaineer to successfully summit Mount Dhaulagiri (8,167m) on October 1, 2021
6. First Indian women mountaineer to summit Pumori Peak (7,161m) on May 12, 2021

These achievements represent an extraordinary display of physical endurance, mental fortitude, and technical climbing ability. To put this in perspective, most mountaineers consider climbing one 8,000-meter peak in a season to be a significant accomplishment. Baljeet’s multiple ascents in such short time frames place her among the elite climbers globally.

The Annapurna Ordeal: Survival Against All Odds

Perhaps the most dramatic chapter in Baljeet’s mountaineering career came during her expedition to Mount Annapurna, the 10th highest peak in the world and one of the most dangerous mountains to climb due to its high fatality rate.

After successfully reaching the summit of Annapurna at around 5:15 pm with two guides, Baljeet encountered severe difficulties during her descent. She experienced breathing problems, became separated from her team, and went missing. For approximately 19 hours, she was stranded in extreme conditions at an altitude of 7,375 meters, fighting for her survival.

Communication was lost, causing widespread concern both in Nepal and back home in India. Fortunately, on the following day, she managed to send a signal indicating her proximity to Base Camp-4 and requested immediate assistance. A rescue operation was launched based on her GPS location, involving three helicopters.

After being located at around 1 pm, Baljeet was airlifted to a hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. Once her condition stabilized, she was transported back to Himachal Pradesh. Upon her safe return, Baljeet expressed gratitude to everyone involved in her rescue, attributing her survival to their prayers and blessings from God.

This near-fatal experience highlights both the extreme dangers of high-altitude mountaineering and Baljeet’s remarkable resilience and will to survive.

Climbing Philosophy and Approach

Despite her impressive list of achievements, Baljeet maintains a humble approach to mountaineering. She emphasizes thorough preparation, respect for the mountains, and the importance of mental strength alongside physical conditioning.

Her climbing philosophy incorporates:

• Meticulous Planning: Comprehensive preparation for each expedition
• Mental Toughness: Developing the psychological resilience needed for extreme environments
• Physical Conditioning: Rigorous training to withstand the demanding conditions at high altitudes
• Respect for Nature: Understanding the power and unpredictability of the mountains

Unlike some who pursue mountaineering for fame or records, Baljeet’s approach reflects a genuine passion for climbing and a deep connection with the mountains that surround her homeland.

Breaking Gender Barriers

As a female mountaineer from a small village in India, Baljeet’s achievements carry additional significance. She has shattered stereotypes and demonstrated that women from traditional backgrounds can excel in extreme sports traditionally dominated by men.

Her success has inspired a new generation of female mountaineers in India, many of whom now see high-altitude mountaineering as an attainable goal rather than an impossible dream. In a region where women’s roles are often confined to traditional expectations, Baljeet’s international achievements have challenged perceptions and opened new possibilities.

Challenges and Obstacles

Despite her impressive accomplishments, Baljeet continues to face challenges common to many Indian mountaineers:

• Financial Constraints: High-altitude expeditions require substantial funding, often running into millions of rupees
• Limited Sponsorship: Unlike mountaineers from countries with established adventure sports industries, securing consistent sponsorship remains difficult
• Infrastructure Gaps: Inadequate training facilities and support systems for elite mountaineers in India
• Recognition: The struggle for appropriate recognition of mountaineering achievements at the national level

Coming from a modest background, with her father working as a bus driver and her mother as a housewife, securing funding for international expeditions presents a constant challenge. Despite these obstacles, Baljeet maintains her focus on her mountaineering goals with unwavering determination.

Recognition and Awards

Baljeet’s extraordinary achievements have earned her recognition both within the mountaineering community and beyond:

• Raksha Mantri Padak from the Indian Government for participating in the Mount Everest Expedition in 2016 (awarded in 2017)
• NCC Achiever Award presented by the Director General of the NCC, Lieutenant Gurbirpal Singh (July 2022)

While these accolades acknowledge her contributions to Indian mountaineering, many believe her achievements deserve even greater recognition at the national level.

Impact and Legacy

At just 29 years of age, Baljeet Kaur has already left an indelible mark on Indian mountaineering. Her impact extends beyond her personal achievements:

• Inspiration for Rural Youth: Demonstrating that background and resources need not limit aspirations
• Women’s Empowerment: Breaking gender barriers in adventure sports
• National Pride: Representing India on the world’s highest mountains
• Himalayan State Recognition: Bringing attention to the mountaineering potential of Himachal Pradesh

Her story resonates particularly strongly with young women from rural backgrounds who can see in Baljeet a reflection of their own potential to overcome societal constraints and pursue extraordinary dreams.

Future Aspirations

Looking ahead, Baljeet remains committed to further mountaineering challenges. While she has already conquered several of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks, she continues to set her sights on new objectives. Her goal of potentially becoming the first Indian woman to conquer all fourteen 8,000-meter peaks would be a historic achievement not just for India but for women in mountaineering globally.

Beyond personal achievements, she has expressed interest in inspiring and training the next generation of mountaineers from her region, particularly young women who might otherwise not consider such opportunities.

Final Thoughts About Baljeet Kaur

Baljeet Kaur’s journey from a small village in Himachal Pradesh to the summits of the world’s highest mountains embodies the spirit of determination that defines mountaineering excellence. Her story is not just about conquering external peaks but also about overcoming internal and societal barriers.

In a country where mountaineering is still gaining recognition as a professional sport, Baljeet stands as a pioneer. Her footprints in the snow mark a trail for others to follow—especially young women from small towns and villages across India who now have a new role model to inspire their own journeys.

Through her achievements, Baljeet has ensured that the Indian flag flies high on the world’s mightiest mountains. Her legacy, still in the making, already serves as a powerful testament to the heights that can be reached when determination meets opportunity, regardless of one’s background or circumstances.

As she continues to push boundaries and set new records, Baljeet Kaur’s name will undoubtedly be etched permanently in the annals of Indian mountaineering history—a daughter of Himachal who reached for the sky and touched it.

Know More:

Instagram : mountain_daughter_baljeet

Facebook : Kaur Baljeet

Explore the Journeys of Other Great Climbers

Wanda Rutkiewicz: Conquering Heights, Breaking Barriers

Colonel Ranveer Jamwal: The Mountaineering Legend of India

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Baljeet Kaur