29-year-old from U’khand becomes first Indian woman to scale Mt Cho Oyu

Dehradun: Twenty-nine year old Sheetal Raj from Pithoragarh district has scripted history by becoming the first woman from India to scale Mount Cho Oyu, the sixth-highest mountain in the world. She achieved the feat on Oct 8.Raj, who in 2019 became the youngest woman from Uttarakhand to climb Mount Everest, has now added this remarkable achievement to her growing list of mountaineering successes, which also includes summits of Mt Kanchenjunga and Mt Annapurna.She said she wishes to encourage more women to take up mountaineering, a field traditionally dominated by men. Speaking to TOI, she said, "I understand the potential of women in these rugged landscapes. I try to encourage women to embrace adventure sports and challenges, reinforcing the belief that they are capable of achieving great heights—both literally and figuratively. My key to success was the support of the Hans Foundation, which helped me push boundaries in global mountaineering, and Ethical Himalaya, which shares my vision for responsible exploration. Additionally, the encouragement from my family and friends was instrumental in my journey." She also shared a message for women across India, especially those from the Himalayas: "Dream big, hold your belief, stay focused, and work hard without fear. The world is yours."Raj announced her historic achievement on Instagram and wrote, "After a long pause, I found my way back to the mountains. I am proud of the restart journey by becoming the first Indian woman to conquer the mighty Mount Cho Oyu. Here's to new heights and limitless possibilities!"
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