29 years old, visually impaired woman Chhonzin Angmo from Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh has created history by becoming the first such woman to climb the world’s highest summit of Mount Everest.
Angmo reached the 8,848.86-metre summit earlier this month, accompanied by sherpas Dandu Sherpa, Om Gurung and expedition leader Lt Col (Retd) Romil Barthwal.
Chhonzin Angmo’s journey to Mount Everest’s summit is an inspiration to millions. Born in a small village, she lost her vision due to an allergy to a medicine when she was 8 years old. However, this didn’t deter her spirit, and with the support of her family, she pursued her education and discovered her passion for mountaineering.
Angmo was enrolled in the Mahabodhi School and Hostel for Visually Impaired Children in Leh, where she developed her interest in mountaineering. Angmo completed a basic climbing course from the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports in Manali. She then climbed multiple peaks in Ladakh and became part of Operation Blue Freedom, an expedition to Siachen Glacier. Her passion for climbing grew with each ascent.
Angmo’s meeting with Skalzang Rigzin, a renowned mountaineer, fuelled her dream to conquer Mount Everest.
“Stepping on the summit of Mt Everest, my first thought was how each step counts in our journey, whether one is abled or specially abled. This is only a step in my dream to instil willpower in every specially-abled person,” Angmo said.
Chhonzin Angmo’s story is a proof of human resilience, and her achievement has inspired countless people.
“I climbed Mount Everest on behalf of the differently abled community, and I am incredibly proud to have proven we can achieve what others can and hope this feat changes society’s outlook towards people with disabilities,” she said.
