Trending post of the day: Kerala woman, 59, makes it to the Everest Base Camp solo

The woman trained with YouTube videos and reached the Everest Base Camp.

A post has been widely shared on social media, inspiring netizens. It involves a woman, 59, named Vasanthi Cheruveettil, who walked for three hours, practised wearing trekking boots, and again walked in the evening for 5-6 km every day. She successfully reached Everest Base Camp solo by watching YouTube videos.

A 59-year-old woman tailor from Kerala reached the Everest Base Camp solo.

The tailor from Kerala defied age and all odds to successfully reach the Everest Base Camp solo and without formal training. She watched YouTube videos to learn basic trekking techniques and also learnt Hindi for smoother communication along the way. She began her journey from Surke in Nepal on February 15 and reached the South Base Camp on February 23. To achieve this remarkable feat, the woman from Thalipparambain Kannur trained for four months, according to Manorama. It quoted Cheruveettil as saying, “Even my friends refused to believe me when I said I was training for Everest.”

Cheruveettil faced many challenges on her path.

She faced several challenges along her journey during her trek to Everest. Her flight to Lukla was cancelled due to bad weather, but a German couple she met in Nepal assisted her in finding a different route via Surke. She even crossed paths with trekkers worldwide, including a father and son from Thiruvananthapuram. Her challenging path included steep climbs, narrow paths, and deep ravines. She would walk for 6-7 hours every day and take regular breaks to catch her breath. She said, “I needed more time, so I walked slowly, using a stick. Every few steps, I paused to take at least five breaths to avoid shivering and exhaustion.” She wore a traditional Kasavu saree and waved the Indian flag.

Watch the viral post here:

This isn’t the first time Cheruveettil has travelled solo. Last year, she travelled to Thailand after her friends backed out. With the support of her two sons, Vineeth and Vivek, she booked a solo trip. She finances her travels through her tailoring business, with occasional financial help from her sons. She now aims to travel to the Great Wall of China.