Deeya Bajaj: Hoisting Indian Flag On Peaks with Mt. Everest Climber

“Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing.” With this belief, Deeya Bajaj started climbing the mighty Mount Everest with her father Ajeet Bajaj. When they completed the journey, they became the first father-daughter duo to climb Mount Everest. Let’s know more about Deeya Bajaj’s experiences and her personal life.

Aashna – Deeya Bajaj, tell us more about yourself.

Deeya Bajaj – I’m a mountaineer and an adventurer. Currently, I’m working with my family. We own and operate an adventure tourism company in the Himalayas. I was born and brought up in Delhi.

Adventure has always been a way of life for me. My dad was the first Indian to ski to the North and the South Pole, and my parents started Snow Leopard Adventures before I was born! All of our holidays as a family would include activities like hiking, biking, skiing, and scuba diving. When I was 14, I went on my first major expedition. 

It was a sea-kayaking expedition in Greenland. When I was 17, I went on another expedition to Greenland, a cross-skiing expedition to ski across the Icecap. I was the youngest in the world to complete it successfully. It was the expedition that inspired me to take on an adventure in a more significant way.

Since then, I’ve been on multiple mountaineering expeditions to spread the message that families should support their girls. Two years ago, my father and I reached the summit of Mount Everest as India’s first father-daughter team – to spread the message that girls should not limit their aspirations and that they should set a goal to reach somewhere in their lives.

Aashna- Is there any incident that pushed you further to become a mountaineer? Or was it only because your father did it?

Deeya Bajaj – Being introduced at a young age to adventure and mountaineering inspired me. I always had a passion for mountaineering. It’s always been a significant part of my life.

Aashna – How did you manage your education? Did it suffer because of your passion?

Deeya Bajaj – No, not at all. Adventure teaches you a lot. Adventure made me more focused and gave me a purpose which, in turn, helped me with my studies. I learned to balance both of them together. Whenever I got free time, I would try and spend the time outdoors. 

For example, I would go on a lot of expeditions during my summer break in school. I believe that if you’re passionate about something, you’ll always make time to do it! Studies still are an essential part of my life – I went to Cornell University in the United States of America for my undergraduate degree. Next year, I will be heading to Wharton, USA, for my MBA.

Aashna – Did you go through intensive physical training to achieve physical fitness?

Deeya Bajaj – Yes, mountaineering is an excellent physically demanding adventure sport.

My training consists of a lot of mixed cardio and light weight training. I love to train by doing something active: cycling, playing tennis, boxing, yoga, hiking, or running outside. But I hardly hit the gym because I wouldn’t say I like working out indoors.

Aashna – Have you ever felt scared during this course of adventures?

Deeya Bajaj – Adventure is often synonymous with daredevilry. But I don’t think that’s the case. If you train hard, prepare well, have enough experience, and know when to turn back, you can significantly minimize the risk. It’s essential to have the right equipment, training, and mindset. There have been, of course, times where things got serious, but I was more focused on getting back to camp or down the mountain safely. These things are usually much scarier in retrospect.

Aashna – Can you recall any incident that scared you or a life-threatening kind of a thing? Have you ever been injured during these adventures?

Deeya Bajaj – I’ve never been badly hurt, but of course, I have come across dangerous situations and incidents. Thankfully, I came out safely.

Aashna – Any emotional breakout on mountains or have you ever felt tired? How have you faced these challenges like emotional breakdown and hopelessness?

Deeya Bajaj – Most of the expeditions I’ve been on have been in remote parts of the world. You’re completely off the grid without access to social media, laptops, television, and functioning toilets. It is difficult, and emotional breakdowns do happen, but there are two things I focus on to help those low moments pass: 

 1. My support system – spending time talking to my team members on the expedition and writing messages to my family and friends back home.

2. Staying positive and keeping my focus on the goal of the expedition. 

Aashna – Why did you and your dad decide to climb Mount Everest? What was the training you went through?

Deeya Bajaj – While climbing Everest was a lifelong dream for both of us, we officially decided to climb Everest two years before starting the expedition. We spent two years training and preparing hard for the expedition and four practice expeditions, two to Ladakh, one to France, and one to Nepal. 

We would also go to our campsites in Rishikesh and spend the weekend carrying weighted backpacks on 8-9 hours treks. While we were in Delhi, we would do about 3 to 4 hours of cardio.

Aashna – How you started and ended your journey to Mount Everest? What were the breaks that you took? How was your entire experience?

Deeya Bajaj – We climbed from the north side of Mt. Everest. The ordinary route people take is from Nepal. But we decided to climb from Tibet. At the same time, the route is steeper, colder, and more technically challenging. We felt it was safer because we didn’t have to cross the Khumbu Icefall. There were fewer avalanche dangers and fewer people. 

We flew into Kathmandu. Then we took a flight to Lhasa. The higher you go, the lower the oxygen levels are- so your body needs to adjust. So at Lhasa, we spent eight days driving to basecamp. We then spent a week at that base camp, a week at advance base camp, and then came back down and waited for a clear weather window. Our final summit attempt (including the journey back) took nine days.

Aashna – When you climbed up, what were the challenges that you had to face? What happened when you reached the peak of Mount Everest?

Deeya Bajaj – The biggest challenge is the cold weather and the altitude. As we moved upwards, the temperatures decreased, as did the oxygen levels. Eight thousand meters and above is called the death zone. The oxygen levels are so low that you can feel your body slowly stop functioning optimally. The climbing is slow and challenging, but we fought to make it to the summit.

Reaching the peak was an incredible and exciting experience. We got to see the sunrise at the summit of Mt. Everest, which was a magical moment. Unfurling the national flag was also an extraordinary feeling. Going back down is more scary and dangerous than coming up. Dad and I were confident that we would not celebrate until we reached safely back to advance base camp.

Aashna – What were the challenges you had to face while climbing down?

Deeya Bajaj – Going down the mountain is usually more dangerous because people let their guard down. Small mistakes can lead to severe consequences. So we knew we had to be alert and stay focused. After almost 20 hours of climbing without any rest- this was extremely tough.

Aashna – What are the things you guys need to carry when you are on the journey?

Deeya Bajaj – It depends on what type of expedition you are on. On specific expeditions, you carry everything by yourself. All your supplies, your sleeping bag, tent, and food, etc. Then on some expeditions, you have porters or mules to a particular phase or height.  

Everest expedition can take 6-8 weeks. Physically carrying all of your food and your supplies is a long and arduous task. Thankfully yaks can go up to an advanced basecamp. Beyond that, you have to carry everything up yourself with the help of your sherpa. You will always have extra gear and water in your bag. Some of the other things we were carrying included oxygen cylinders, a flashlight, sunglasses, mountaineering goggles, extra layers for warmth, a camera, and a first aid kit.

Aashna – You climb up in daylight that means you have to stop at camps at night. Is it difficult to sleep in that tent because of the cold?

Deeya Bajaj – Yes, of course, it is difficult to sleep in tents, but the exertion levels on these expeditions ensure that you can sleep through the night without worry!

Aashna – You might have received many awards, among all of them. Which one is your personal favorite?

Deeya Bajaj – It was terrific being recognized by Hon’ble President Ram Nath Kovind after our expedition to Mt. Everest.

https://twitter.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1002518190906200065

Aashna – Did you ever face the backlash from society for being a mountaineer?

Deeya Bajaj – The only opinion I care about is my family. I have always been aware that I am incredibly fortunate to have a family which has always supported my dreams, and I am grateful for that.

Aashna – What is the one most important lesson that you have learned from your life?

Deeya Bajaj – I think a positive outlook is an essential tool you can have in life. Especially in a time when hopelessness prevails. Stay positive and think about all the good things you have in your life. Remember that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, and you will make it through.

Aashna – What is your message for society? What can be changed?

Deeya Bajaj – It would be fantastic if families would start / more strongly support their daughters. There is a lot more to their lives than getting married. Marriage is a part of life but shouldn’t be the sole purpose of their existence. I think India needs to support our women and motivate them to reach new heights. We are capable enough to do it. We just need more support.

Hatke Story deeply thanks Deeya Bajaj for providing enough details and all the support she has given us. 

Thank you so much, Deeya! May you achieve more in life. 

Our best wishes are with you!s

• Connect with Deeya here- 

1. 1. Ted Talk – https://www.ted.com/talks/deeya_bajaj_the_spirit_of_adventure
   2. Email – schools@snowleopardadventures.com
   3. Website – http://snowleopardadventures.com/
   4. Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/snowleopardadventures
   5. Instagram –https://instagram.com/deeyasuzannah

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