Q. You are the first Muslim woman from Ladakh to scale Mount Everest. Tell us about yourself and how you got into mountaineering, including the selection process for the Everest Summit.

Jullay everyone! I am Senior Under Officer Abida Afreen from the 1 Ladakh NCC Battalion, and currently a second-year student at Eliezer Joldan Memorial College, Leh. I come from Chuchot Shamma in Leh district. I completed my Class 10 from Imamia Mission School and pursued Class 11 and 12 at Government Higher Secondary School, Chuchot Shamma. I am now pursuing my graduation from EJM College, Leh.

My journey into mountaineering began after I joined the National Cadet Corps (NCC). I came across a notice from the Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Directorate about the Mount Everest Summit Expedition. I expressed my interest to my ANO ma’am, and she encouraged me to apply.

The first round of selection trials was held in Leh, where candidates from both Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh participated. Following this, 250 cadets from across India were shortlisted and called to New Delhi for the next stage of trials. Out of those, 36 cadets were selected for further training.

As part of the expedition preparation, we completed a pre-Everest summit to Mount Abi Gamin, a 7,355-meter peak in the Garhwal Himalayas. Based on our performance, 16 cadets were shortlisted for a Basic Mountaineering Course—half were sent to the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi, and the rest to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling.

After completing the course, we underwent an intense and physically demanding final selection phase at Siachen Base Camp, one of the toughest high-altitude training grounds. From there, 10 cadets were selected for the final Everest Summit team.

Our full training and preparation spanned from August 2024 to March 2025. After successfully completing the process, we were called to New Delhi to officially begin our Everest expedition.

Q. Was it an easy decision for you to make? How did your family react to it?

Choosing mountaineering—and especially deciding to aim for the Everest Summit—was not an easy decision for me. My family was initially hesitant. They kept asking, “How can we send our daughter so far away?” They were naturally concerned about the hardships and challenges involved.

But I was determined. I had already experienced basic mountaineering through NCC, and I knew deep down that I could do it. I spoke to them openly and confidently about my decision. Eventually, they trusted me—more importantly, they trusted my dream. Seeing my passion and growth, they agreed to support me.

As a Muslim girl, I also feel proud to be breaking stereotypes. I hope my journey inspires other girls like me who want to pursue something adventurous and different.

Q. Tell us about your experience of the Everest expedition.

The Everest expedition was both challenging and unforgettable. From the initial selection process to the training, the pre-Everest climb, and finally reaching the summit—each moment was full of learning, growth, and resilience. Many people take years to prepare for Everest, so I feel incredibly grateful to have had this opportunity at such a young age.

Our trek to Everest Base Camp took about 10 days, walking 7 to 8 hours daily. The journey was physically demanding, but also enriching as we explored new landscapes and dealt with high-altitude challenges. Despite the difficulties, we kept each other motivated and focused on our goal.

Before the final summit, we climbed Lobuche Peak (6,119 meters) to acclimatize and get familiar with the terrain. This helped us prepare mentally and physically for what lay ahead.

We officially began our Everest climb on May 14. One of the most difficult sections was the Khumbu Icefall, located between Base Camp and Camp 1. Crossing swinging ladders over deep crevasses while carrying heavy gear was terrifying and physically taxing. However, we successfully made it through Camp 1 and Camp 2.
Between Camp 3 and Camp 4, we faced heavy human traffic, freezing temperatures, and symptoms of low oxygen levels. Our legs and hands were numb, but being part of a strong and supportive team made all the difference. We pushed through together.

For the final summit, we started our climb on May 17 at 7 p.m., and after walking continuously through the night, we reached the top at 3:30 a.m. on May 18. Standing on the summit of Mount Everest, holding the Indian tricolor, was the most emotional and proudest moment of my life—a moment that words can’t truly capture.

The entire ascent took four days, and we descended safely in two days. It was a journey filled with perseverance, teamwork, and deep personal transformation.

Q. Was there any particular moment or incident during the expedition that has stayed with you?

Yes, one moment that I’ll never forget was at Camp 3. We had been walking continuously from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., completely exhausted. Despite our fatigue, we weren’t allowed to sleep immediately due to health concerns at high altitude. So, we all gathered in one tent and started playing Antakshari to keep our spirits up.

That moment made me realize the true strength of teamwork. The bond we shared as a group gave us the motivation we needed to keep going. We were not just climbing for ourselves—we were climbing as a team, supporting each other every step of the way.

Looking back, I feel that the journey itself was more beautiful and meaningful than the destination. It’s the little moments like these that made the expedition unforgettable.

Q. What do you think about the mountaineering potential in Ladakh, and what should be done to promote it?

Ladakh, being a high-altitude region, has immense potential for mountaineering. There are numerous known and unexplored peaks that offer great opportunities for adventure and professional climbing. However, I feel this potential is still largely untapped.

During the expedition, I often felt a bit embarrassed when senior climbers and fellow cadets asked me about the peaks in Ladakh—whether I had climbed any or knew about them. That made me realize how important it is for us, as Ladakhis, to explore and promote our own mountains.

My interest in mountaineering truly began after I joined NCC, and it has grown since then. I’ve also been inspired by experienced climbers from the Ladakh Mountain Guide Association, whom I met during the Ice Climbing Festival. They were incredibly supportive and even gave me valuable advice and training tips, which helped me a lot during my journey.

We are fortunate to have such skilled instructors in Ladakh. To promote mountaineering further, we need more awareness, training programs, and institutional support—especially for youth who want to pursue this field seriously.

Q. What advice would you give to women aspiring to take up mountaineering?

My message to all women is: dream big and never lose hope. Whether it’s mountaineering or any other field, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Believe in yourself, be confident, and keep moving forward.

And no matter what you achieve or how far you go, always stay humble. That’s what truly defines strength and success.

Q. Are you planning to scale more peaks? Do you have any specific targets ahead?

At the moment, I don’t have any specific targets. Mountaineering is a wonderful sport, but it’s also quite expensive, which makes it difficult to pursue individually.
However, if I get an opportunity to join a team or support an expedition, I would definitely be ready and willing to take it up. My passion for mountaineering continues, and I’m open to future challenges.

Message to the Readers

Believe in yourself and never give up. No matter what you achieve in life, the most important thing is to stay humble and grounded. Success means more when it's carried with humility.