MUMBAI: A little 10-year-old champion skater from
Worli
,
Rhythm
Mamania, has become one of the youngest Indian mountaineers to summit the
Everest Base Camp
(
EBC
) in the Himalayan ranges in Nepal.
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Rhythm had no coach or formal training, and would practise by running up and down the long flight of steps near Shastri Garden at 5.00am.
Neither the perils of low oxygen at a height of 5,364 metres above sea level nor spells of nausea nor blisters on the feet halted the determined mountain goat in her tracks. Around 1.00pm on May 6, the class five student of Met Rishikul Vidyalaya, Bandra, summited the Everest Base Camp (EBC) with her proud parents Urmi and Harshal by her side.
Rhythm said, “It was my aim to reach the EBC summit so I did not bother about the cold. I enjoy sports. Yes, the occasional hailstones were a novelty.”
Urmi said, “Rhythm is a national level skater so her thigh muscles are strong. But it is her will and her moral conscience that is worth mentioning. She opted to climb down while others were engaging helicopter rides to descend. And she collected all her litter and brought it back to Kathmandu rather than leave it lying in the mountains where it will not decompose for years.”
The 11-day expedition was organised by Rishi Bhandari of Satori Adventures, Nepal. He said by phone, “I do not have a complete record of the age and nationality of all those who summit EBC. But most people from India, especially Mumbai and
Maharashtra, go through my company, and Rhythm is certainly the youngest in this respect.”
He further added, “I was inspired to see that she did not complain despite being nauseous and tired by the arduous climb. Another elderly breathless trekker had to be airlifted out, but Rhythm was like a soldier who motivated others by her strength, fitness, energy and enthusiasm.”
Urmi laughed and recalled how several admiring climbers stopped to take pictures with Rhythm.
The family joined Kutch Trekkers Group in Mulund led by Manish Savla for this trip.
Savla said, “Rhythm's achievement is a proud moment for us. She has taken no formal training and had just a few one-day Sahyadri treks behind her. And the EBC climb at 5,364 mts above sea level is no mean feat. With technical training, Rhythm certainly has the potential to scale Mt Everest which is at a height of 29,200-odd metres .”