Manita Pradhan, a skilled mountaineer belonging from Sikkim, has achieved the remarkable achievement of conquering Mount Aconcagua mountain range in America. On 29th January 2024 at 11.50 am, Manita reached the top of Mount Aconcagua range in the Andes range, South America’s highest peak at 6,962 meters, nearly about 22,837 feet.
This latest triumph comes after Manita Pradhan’s previous remarkable achievements in scaling Mount Everest (2021), Mount Elbrus (2022), and Mount Kilimanjaro (2022). Her journey to Mount Aconcagua was marked by challenging weather conditions and the physical demands of the climb, but her unwavering spirit and meticulous preparation led her to victory.
Manita’s mountaineering journey began in her early twenties, inspired by the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas surrounding her home state of Sikkim. Since then, she has dedicated herself to training and honing her skills, becoming a role model for aspiring mountaineers in India and beyond. Mount Aconcagua stands as the highest peak in both the Southern and Western Hemispheres, with its elevation being a subject of debate for many years.
Mount Aconcagua, located near the border of Argentina and Chile, northwest of Mendoza, is not only the tallest mountain in South America but also the highest outside of Asia. It is second only to Mount Everest in terms of topographical prominence. Despite not being a technical climb, ascending Aconcagua presents numerous challenges such as extreme cold, high altitude, and isolation. Preparation is crucial, with an emphasis on warm and lightweight gear. The Normal Route does not require technical climbing skills, but experience with crampons and an ice axe is necessary due to the mountain’s height and frigid temperatures.
