Indian amputee becomes first to conquer Mt. Kilimanjaro on crutches
An Indian amputee has made history by becoming the first person to scale Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, using crutches.
This climb was part of the Divyangjan Expedition Team's mission under the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), backed by the Ministry of Defence.
This forms part of the country’s preparations towards the celebration of its 78th Independence Day.
Upon reaching the Uhuru Summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the climbers proudly unfurled a 7,800-square-foot Indian national flag, the largest ever displayed at the peak.
The team, led by Group Captain Jai Kishan, included Divyang Shri Uday Kumar, who achieved the incredible feat of becoming the first amputee to climb the summit using crutches. The expedition, dubbed Mission Kanchanjanga National Park to Mt. Kilimanjaro (Mission K2K), aimed to set new records and inspire others, especially those with disabilities.
The journey began from the base camp, with the team reaching Kibu Hut at an altitude of 15,500 feet on August 7, 2024. There, they displayed the massive national flag using ropes, ground nets, and anchors.
The final ascent to Uhuru Peak began at 3:00 AM on August 8. The climbers braved harsh conditions, including loose scree, a steep 85-degree gradient, and the challenges of an alpine desert. After a gruelling 10-hour climb, the team successfully reached the summit at 1:00 PM, standing at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet), where they unfurled the enormous Indian flag.
