36-year-old Bharath Thammineni from Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, has become the first Indian to conquer all nine accessible peaks above 8,000 meters—the so-called "Death Zone" summits that test human endurance to its limits. His latest triumph came atop Mt Cho Oyu (8,188m) in the Himalayas, the sixth-highest mountain on Earth, reached without Sherpa assistance in a bold, solo push.

Thammineni's odyssey began with Mt Everest in May 2017, followed by Mt Manaslu in September 2018, Mt Lhotse in May 2019, Mt Annapurna in March 2022, Mt Kanchenjunga in April 2022, Mt Makalu in May 2023, Mt Shishapangma in October 2024, and Mt Dhaulagiri in April 2025. Each ascent demanded navigating treacherous icefalls, avalanches, and oxygen deprivation at altitudes where survival rates plummet. "These aren't just mountains; they're unforgiving guardians of the sky," Thammineni once remarked, underscoring the razor-thin margin between glory and peril.

Arriving at Cho Oyu base camp in Tibet on September 30, Thammineni faced relentless setbacks from brutal weather and relentless snowstorms, forcing him and his team to hunker down for nearly two weeks. "We waited patiently until October 12, then launched a rapid summit bid," he shared with close friends in India tracking his progress via satellite phone. At 6:55 am China time (8:55 am IST) on Tuesday, he crested the peak, unfurling the Indian flag against a backdrop of jagged ridges and swirling clouds. Descending to the summit camp, he confirmed the climb's success, noting the absence of Sherpa support amplified its difficulty—relying solely on his expertise and sheer willpower.

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As founder of Boots & Crampons, a pioneering Indian mountaineering firm, Thammineni has transformed high-altitude adventure from elite pursuit to national aspiration. Over the past decade, he has led expeditions across six continents, mentoring climbers and shattering barriers. Notably, under his guidance, the 2025 Everest expedition saw Chhonzin Angmo from Himachal Pradesh become the first blind woman globally to summit the world's roof, while 16-year-old Vishwanath Karthikey claimed the title of youngest Indian to conquer the Seven Summits.

From the summit camp, Thammineni broadcast a heartfelt message, eyes gleaming with exhaustion and pride. "This isn't merely my victory—it's proof of India's untapped potential in extreme sports," he declared. "The peaks teach humility, grit, and endless waiting. Today on Cho Oyu, I honor every aspiring climber back home: chase your summits, for they await the brave."

Of the 14 8,000m giants, five—K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum I and II, and Broad Peak—remain off-limits to Indian climbers due to their location in Pakistan-occupied territories, amid geopolitical tensions. Thammineni's nine summits thus represent the pinnacle of what's achievable, inspiring a surge in youth enrollments at his academy and fueling calls for greater government investment in adventure sports infrastructure. As whispers of international awards circulate, this Kurnool native stands tall, not just on frozen ledges, but as a beacon for India's next wave of high-altitude heroes.

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