Stree News Network (SNN)- “Mountains are not Stadiums where I satisfy my ambition to achieve, they are the cathedrals where I practice my religion.” ― Anatoli Boukreev
For Ishani Sawant (25) too, mountaineering is a passion- a dream, which gives her immense satisfaction and inspires her to scale greater heights literally. Ishani, a resident of Pune is just back from her recent winter Himalayan expedition to Hom Kund (5300m) at the base of Nanda Ghunti Peak, near Mount Trishul. Recalling the adventures she says, “There was powder snow all around us and when we used to put our 30 kg bag pack on, we used to go waist deep. Time was not right but we learnt so much about adversity, risk management, route opening, patience etc. We used to cook dinner by amazing sunset opposite Trisul peak with Himalayan vultures hovering above.”
Ishani’s career as a mountaineer has always been superlative and there have been innumerable achievements, credits and also records in her name. She created a record in Mountaineering history by climbing Kanamo Peak (19,600 feet) solo in two days without any guide, Sherpa, porter or mule, carrying food, equipment, tent and high altitude gear and clothing at the same time.
“It was intimidating as I hadn’t done it earlier, nor had I been there before. The trail going to summit was not visible as it had snowed heavily for previous two days. But it was an amazing experience. I had to find my way, navigate in the fresh snowfall. But it was so out of the world feeling,” says Ms. Ishani with a smile.
Besides that, Ishani graduated with A grades in both the basic and advanced mountaineering courses in not one, but two of India’s top mountaineering schools – HMI and NIM. She also climbed Mt. Stok Kangri peak (6000m) in Ladakh in 2014 in two days– another record for Indian Women in alpine climbing. Two years back she, along with the team, hoisted the Largest Indian Flag, 60ft x 40ft on highest point in Maharashtra for Indian Navy. That was another record.
Love for mountaineering
It was during a trip to the Himalayas when she was 13, Ishani found her true calling. She was awestruck by the grandeur, scenery of the majestic mountain. She says that during the time she was awestruck and completely taken in by the mighty Himalayas. “I kept clicking pictures of the mountain range with my rudimentary camera,” she recollects.
However, it was not easy to convince parents about her passion for mountaineering. “I hail from a middle class family where mountaineering as a profession is unheard of,” says Ishani.
However, her mother was very supportive. “She always believed in me and this kept me going,” adds Ishani.
At the age of 18, she enrolled for training at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, which helped her hone her technical skills. She also took training in rock climbing and water kayaking course. In 2016-17 she got enrolled in the Institute of Sports Science and Technology, Pune and completed Distance Masters in Sports Management.
Ishani also got enrolled in ILS Law College, Pune and completed her Law (LLB) in 2015. In 2014-15 she did Diploma in Forensic Science and here too got an A grade.
“However, despite being a professional lawyer, Ishani realized that mountaineering is really her profession. “I realized that I got real happiness and sense of satisfaction while I went for expeditions,” she says. And hence she decided to become a professional alpinist.
However, taking up climbing as a profession was not easy in India. “Initially guys didn’t want to climb on my belay. I had to keep proving myself again and again. I used to train with them and then wait after every one was gone to train more, do more pull ups and abs. It has been a very tough journey but I love the entire process. Now as I go climbing, my mates are confident about me which has in turn upped my own courage,” says Ishani.
Lack of infrastructure
Ishani saw the difference in the mountaineering infrastructure available in the country when she went to UK in 2016 for International Trad Climbing Meet organized by British Mountaineering Council. Only 20 women from all over the world were selected for this and she was one of those.
“It was there I realized that there is no dearth of talent in our country. However, the reason why upcoming athletes switch to regular profession is lack of facilities. We do not have sports physio to handle rock climbing injuries on field or in gym; there are not many trained coaches to train us in latest methods and workouts and most importantly we do not have the mindset that rock climbing and mountaineering is also a profession,” says Ishani.
“All good equipment and shoes, we have to import from abroad which makes mountaineering super expensive. There are so many issues hampering progress of a rock climber or mountaineer in India which tends to deflate the spirit. It is only handful who rise above this all and still have that madness to pursue it,” she adds.
Achievements
Ishani has so far covered the following Himalayan ranges: Kanamo Peak (5970 m) Solo, Patalsu Solo, Mt Stok Kangri (6153mt) (record alpine ascent in 2days), Mt. Mera (6654), Draupadi Ka Danda -2, (5711mts), treks – Parang La- Tso Moriri, Mantalai glacier, Indrahara Pass, Bhrugu Lake, Hampta , Gaumukh- Tapovan etc.
She was All India ranked sixth at the Bouldering (climbing) Competition held in 2015 conducted by Indian Mountaineering Foundation.
In Sahyadri ranges she has organized treks and adventure activities to popular locations: Lohagad, Visapur, Kalsubai, Rajgad etc. and more than 500 treks.
She was the judge at the Girivihar International Bouldering Competition- Amateur Category 2012.
Paucity of funds
Like in any other sport, to get funds has always been a Herculean task for Ishani. “Mountaineering is an expensive sport, so I am finding it difficult to fund my adventures. I hardly go to Himalayas considering the huge costs involved in travel and equipment rent,” she adds.
Realizing the importance of huge funds, Ishani has come up with many ideas to fund her dreams. She has started her website where she shares her adventure experiences. ”Here, one can find different posts around categories such as rafting, product reviews, travel tips, adventure sports summits, destinations, etc. I do a lot of things to earn money for my adventures and these can be seen on my blog,” says Ishani.
She also ran a firm called, ‘ProEdge’, which specialized in conducting customised adventure events like treks, bike rides, rappelling, rafting, paragliding and camping. She is presently associated with Adventures Beyond Barriers. “This is a not for profit organization through which we conduct adventure events for people with disabilities and able bodied together. We believe that adventure is powerful medium to bring change in mindset and society at large,” stresses Ishani.
“I am Internationally certified not only in mountaineering and rock climbing but also as a First Responder from Hanifi Centre (Aerie Backbounty USA). So I am well equipped to handle wilderness emergencies and skilled to run these extreme sports events smoothly” she adds. She has done TLI Course from NOLS, which is USA based.
Ishani also trains National Defence Academy Cadets in rock climbing and has also constructed a climbing wall in India’s premier defence academy.
Advise to aspiring mountaineers
Ishani gives a piece of advise to all the aspiring youths: “I have realised that when you push your limit, your limits push back. So we should constantly endeavour to keep pushing towards our dream. No matter in which field you are, learning happens when you step out of your comfort zone and so something that you felt you couldn’t.”
She wishes to break the stereotype image that young age can be a barrier for pursuing a serious sport as Mountaineering or Alpinist. “It really does not matter whether you are young or old, a man or a woman, an able bodied or handicapped- mountains are there for all. They do not become smaller if you are a kid or a woman or a handicapped. Mountains do not differentiate then why should we? I live by this philosophy and hence been able to come this far,” she says with conviction.
