Coimbatore’s young wonder conquers Everest Base Camp

Eight-year-old Yazhini Ramkumar from Coimbatore and A Preethika Yashini from Chennai, a transwoman, conquer Everest Base Camp

Amidst the crisp air of the Himalayas, eight-year-old Yazhini Ramkumar from Coimbatore, and 29-year-old transwoman, A Preethika Yashini, from Chennai, set their sights on a goal: to conquer the Everest Base Camp (EBC). Soon enough, putting plans into action, the duo completed the trek on May 16, with an eight-member team, a brief-cardio vascular training and a gruelling 12-day-long trek to the campsite.

However, they hadn’t fully grasped the profound significance of their accomplishment.

In pursuit of the mission, little did they know that Yazhini could possibly become the youngest person and Preethika the first transgender individual from Tamil Nadu to reach this milestone. “While we only aimed to reach the camp, we did not know that our achievements would be magnified by just a singular adventure,” says Preethika, who says she is also probably the first from the Tamil Nadu Police Department to make the climb.

The credit, however, is directed towards Fredrick Lourdusamy, a seasoned mountaineer from Coimbatore, marking his 50th ascent to EBC over a 30-year career. Lourdusamy, who operates the Mountain Adventure Sports Society in Coimbatore, assembled an eight-member team, an eclectic mix of IT professionals, students, and a retiree. “This is usually considered an odd mix, but I see it as a testament to the enduring relationships I have built through my work in schools and colleges across Tamil Nadu, training students to become mountaineers,” he says.

Notably, several enthusiasts in Coimbatore and other parts of the state eagerly follow his expedition announcements on social media, where he invites interested individuals, even those without prior trekking experience, to join him. “It is this sense of community and camaraderie that fuels these ventures. Yazhini joined because her mother had trekked with me in Himachal Pradesh during her college days. Other team members, including college students from Udumalpet, Tiruppur, and Coimbatore, have been trained in various sessions I’ve conducted over the years,” he explains.

Reflecting on this, Yazhini’s mother emphasised how the previous expeditions she had undertaken with Lourdusamy served as a motivating factor to send her daughter on her own adventure. “I have immense trust in the leader, and through this trek, she now grasps the significance of independence and exploration,” she adds.

The journey, which commenced on May 9, started at Lukla, a quaint town 2,860 metres above sea level in Nepal. From there, the team navigated through pivotal acclimatisation points — Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, Gorakshep, and Pheriche —before reaching their formidable destination at 5,364 meters, around halfway to the summit. These campsites along the route typically involve one or two-day stopovers, during which trekkers receive medication to acclimatise. Despite this support, many still encounter difficulties as they ascend.