Baljeet Kaur
About
The first and the only Indian woman to conquer the four 8000-meter peaks of Annapurna, Kanchenjunga, Everest, and Lhotse in 30 days, Baljeet Kaur is a mountaineer, whose life is nothing short of inspiring. She is also the first Indian female mountaineer to climb the 8167-meter-high Mt. Dhaulagiri. However, it was her near-death expedition to Mount Annapurna in 2023 that got her into the limelight.
Found alive after going missing near camp IV of Mt Annapurna while descending from the summit, Baljeet's harrowing experience serves as a stark reminder of the challenges mountaineers face and the importance of proper preparation and caution in the world's highest peaks. In addition, she is also a Raksha Mantri Awardee.
In her own words, Baljeet emphasizes the significance of starting the mountain climbing preparations from ground zero, undergoing basic training, and acquiring the necessary skills for mountaineering.
Hailing from Himachal Pradesh, she rose from humble beginnings, undertaking menial jobs and conducting online fitness classes during the COVID-19 pandemic to fund her dream of conquering the world's highest peaks. Her father is a bus driver and there even was a point when her mother had to sell jewelry to support her expeditions. She also ran a crowdfunding campaign to support her dreams and did not let anything deter her.
Her passion to climb mountains propelled her forward, as she began her adventure by trekking the small hills near her village. It was during an NCC camp that Baljeet discovered her true calling, igniting a fire within her to pursue mountaineering professionally.
Why Baljeet Kaur ?
By sharing her experiences of scaling some of the world’s highest peaks despite the financial challenges, Baljeet not only imparts valuable lessons on goal-setting, resilience, and the importance of self-belief but also sheds light on the inherent risks and challenges of mountaineering. Moreover, her recent survival on Mt. Annapurna serves as a powerful reminder of the courage and fortitude required to navigate life’s treacherous paths.
