In a stunning display of grit and endurance, 18-year-old Kaamya Karthikeyan has made history by becoming the youngest Indian and the second-youngest woman in the world to ski to the geographic South Pole. The daughter of an Indian Navy officer completed her gruelling 115-kilometre trek on foot, reaching the pole on December 27, 2025.
A Battle Against Extreme Elements
The journey was far from easy. Kaamya faced one of the planet's most hostile environments, enduring bone-chilling temperatures that plummeted to -30 degrees Celsius and battling fierce gale-force winds. She accomplished the entire expedition while hauling a sledge loaded with all her essential supplies, a testament to her remarkable physical and mental fortitude.
The Indian Navy, where her father serves, was quick to celebrate her extraordinary achievement. In an official post on social media platform X, the Navy described the moment as one of "immense pride and inspiration." The post highlighted her determination in overcoming the brutal Antarctic conditions.
The Making of a Mountaineering Prodigy
This is not Kaamya's first foray into the record books. An alumna of the Navy Children School, she has already established an impressive resume in extreme adventure sports. She is currently on a quest to complete the Explorers Grand Slam, widely considered one of the toughest adventure challenges on Earth.
This ultimate challenge requires adventurers to summit the highest peak on each of the seven continents and also ski to both the North and South Poles. Kaamya has already conquered the Seven Summits Challenge, which includes a successful ascent of Mount Everest from the Nepal side. With that climb, she earned the title of the youngest Indian and the second-youngest woman globally to conquer the world's tallest mountain.
Navy's Salute and Future Goals
In its message, the Indian Navy extended its traditional salute to the young achiever. It wished her continued success and "fair winds and clear skies" as she sets her sights on her final objective: the North Pole. Completing this would make her the youngest person ever to accomplish the prestigious Explorers Grand Slam.
The news of her South Pole triumph sparked a wave of congratulatory messages online. Social media users praised her as an inspiration for the youth of the country, with many calling for greater media coverage of such groundbreaking Indian achievements in adventure sports.
Kaamya Karthikeyan's story is more than just a record; it is a powerful narrative of youthful ambition, relentless perseverance, and the spirit of exploration, making her a true role model for aspiring adventurers across India and the world.
