Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was Yashodev’s first hiking experience. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
HAVING a positive mindset can take you far, something that 15-year-old Yashodev Yash Ganasan, who conquered Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa, certainly believes in.
The 5,895m-high Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa and the fourth tallest in the world.
It took eight challenging days for Yashodev and his family to reach Uhuru Peak, which is the highest peak on the mountain.
They got the idea to hike Mount Kilimanjaro when they saw the mountain from Amboseli Park in Kenya in 2017.
There are seven routes that hikers can choose from to reach the mountain, and the family chose the Lemosho route.
They started their hike on Jan 21 and reached the peak on Jan 28.
In an interview with StarMetro, Yashodev said climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was his first hiking experience.
“Thanks to my active lifestyle, I am able to successfully climb the mountain with my family,” he said.
The climb does not only need strong determination, one must also be physically prepared.
Yashodev and his family did running exercises for weeks to prepare their bodies for the climb.
Apart from strengthening the body, they also prepared adequate tools and clothes for the climate shift, such as socks, jackets, shoes, gloves, caps, goggles, poles and camping tools.
They were assisted by a licensed guide who showed the way and checked their oxygen levels throughout the journey.
They passed through four different terrains – rainforest, woodland, alpine zone and desert – before finally reaching the glaciers at the peak.
“My favourite part of the climb was when I reached Uhuru Peak.
“I was above the clouds. The glaciers and the scenery are sublime to behold,” said Yashodev.
He said that he was proud of his achievement and encouraged other youngsters to do the impossible.
“You must have the determination to never give up, in order to achieve something,” he said.
Yashodev’s mother, Logeswari Shanmuga, said that for her and her brother Senthil Shanmuga, it was not their first time climbing a mountain.
“We had hiked up Mount Everest in the Himalayas, and we have reached the Everest Base Camp.
“Now we are determined to climb more mountains in the seven continents.
“We are thinking of hiking Mount Aconcagua in Argentina next,” she said.
She also hopes that her children will always have a positive and strong mind.
“They can do anything if they have a strong will to get through life’s challenges,” said the electrical engineer.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was Yashodev’s first hiking experience. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
Yashodev during the interview. - FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
(From left) Ganasan Arumugam, Yashodev, Logeswari and Senthil at Stella Point. — Photos courtesy of SENTHIL SHANMUGA
(From left) Father Ganasan Arumugam, Yashodev, Logeswari and Senthil at the peak of Mount Kilimnjaro. -Senthil Shanmuga
Yashodev at Uhuru Peak in Mount Kilimanjaro.
Yashodev at the peak of Mount Kilimnjaro. -Senthil Shanmuga.
