We all have, at some point in our lives thought that we are too young or too old to do something. But there are so many people who always prove that age is just a number – sometimes stopping you from finding your potential and sometimes pushing you to break barriers. One such person is Vasanthy Cheruveettil, a 59 year old woman who scaled Mount Everest Base Camp. She accomplished this feat without any proper training and only relied on tips she learned on YouTube. Now that’s a feat we are in complete awe of!
59 Year Old Woman From Kerala Goes Solo To Everest Base Camp
How Vasanthy Prepared For Her Solo Everest Base Camp Trek
In a world where people easily define you by your age, a 59 year old woman from Kerala has proved that age is just a number. Vasanthy Cheruveettil lives a humble life as a tailor in Kannur, Kerala, however, her passion lies somewhere else. The lady successfully managed to trek solo to the Everest Base Camp in Nepal. The best part? She didn’t take any formal training.
Without any formal training, the lady learned the basics of trekking, survival skills, and route navigation on YouTube. For four months, she trained at home, exercising at home and walking in trekking shoes. She also learned basic Hindi to interact with fellow locals and trekkers she’d meet on her way. With just YouTube videos and four months of at-home training, the lady managed to reach the Everest Base Camp.
Vasanthy’s Journey To The Everest Base Camp
She started her journey on 15th February from Surke in Nepal, making her way through snowy pathways and trekking her way through rugged terrain. Vasanthy finally reached the Everest Base Camp on 23rd February, completing her 9-day journey. The 59 year old woman then clicked a picture of herself wearing the traditional attire of set mundu.
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However, her journey to the Everest Base Camp wasn’t as easy as it seems. Her flight to Lukla got cancelled due to bad weather. Despite the last-minute cancellation, the silver lining was that a German couple helped her find an alternate route to Surke. On her way, she also met trekkers from across the world, including Canada, Mexico, and the Philippines.
Solo Trip To Thailand And Great Wall Of China
While this feat is surely worth all the praise, this isn’t the first time that Vasanthy Cheruveettil has gone solo trekking. She also went on a solo trip to Thailand after her friends backed out from the plan. Her two sons encouraged her to take that decision and explore Thailand all by herself. After the Everest Base Camp expedition, she now plans to travel to the Great Wall of China.
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Vasanthy Cheruveettil: An Inspiration For Many
It is quite rare to hear news of people doing extraordinary things beyond a certain age, especially at an age where most people retire and prefer a comfortable life. However, Vasanthy Cheruveettil’s story is the best inspiration for those thinking that age is a hindrance in the way of their dreams. Many have this perception that they are too young or too old to achieve their dreams, however, this 59 year old woman just proves that age is nothing but merely a number.
She is also an inspiration for thousands of women who want to achieve their dreams but are stuck in life due to societal norms, traditions, and self doubt. Being a widow, she finances her trip majorly through her tailoring work, only depending on her sons for occasional financial help. Cheruveettil, through her commendable feat, sends out a powerful message to women – nothing can stop them from achieving their goals if they set their mind to it.
Summing Up
It’s easy to define people and their dreams based on their age and gender, but when people break the very barriers that define them, it is only inspiring. Vasanthy’s story is one such brilliant example of women defying odds and tearing apart the glass ceiling. We can’t wait for her to set on her next adventure!
