At an age when children are busy climbing monkey bars and benches, 12-year-old Samya Maulik from Ahmedabad, Gujarat is busy conquering towering peaks.
From completing the Everest Base Camp trek at the age of nine to becoming the youngest person in the world to finish the gruelling Chadar Trek at 11, Samya is a living testament to determination, perseverance, and a supportive family.
The early spark
“My father loves trekking and showed me photos of his previous treks,” Samya recalls. “That’s what got me interested.” Inspired by her father, a seasoned trekker who had conquered three of the world’s seven highest peaks, Samya embarked on her first adventure in Manali at the young age of six.
It was the beginning of a passion that would soon lead her to the Everest Base Camp (EBC) at the tender age of nine. “I am the youngest girl from Gujarat to complete the Everest Base Camp. That experience gave me the confidence to take on any challenge.”
“When I saw how Samya finished her EBC trek with such happiness, I knew she could complete any trek despite the terrain and temperature,” shares Maulik Panchal, Samya’s father.
At 11, Samya undertook the Chadar Trek, a perilous journey across the frozen Zanskar River in Leh, Ladakh, known for its extreme temperatures that plummet to a minimum of -35 degrees Celsius. The terrain is as unforgiving as it is beautiful.
Ice sheets crack underfoot, and trekkers must navigate slippery rocks when the ice thins. “Sometimes, there is a lack of ice on the river, and we need to climb rocks,” Samya explains. “If not, we risk falling into the freezing river, which can be fatal.”
Adding to the challenge, Samya injured her thumb during yoga practice just before the trek. “My mum and dad were worried, but I decided to go ahead because I love trekking,” she says. Despite these obstacles, she completed the four-day trek in just three days. “The weather was so cold that our hands and feet would freeze. It was difficult to walk freely, but it got a little better as the days went by.”
While Samya’s journey may seem effortless, her success at such a tender age serves as a statement to her extraordinary determination, and the immense mental and physical fortitude she continues to demonstrate to pursue her passion.
Family: Samya’s harness
Samya credits her parents for their unwavering support. Her father, who has been trekking for over 20 years, plays an instrumental role in her preparation. “Every night, we would go walking as a family. We did steppers and exercises together. My father trains me and teaches the essentials of trekking,” she says.
Her mother’s contribution is equally significant. “When I was small, my mother took me to yoga classes for my health and fitness. I’ve been doing yoga since I was five,” says Samya, who believes her yoga training has greatly enhanced her flexibility, breathing, and mental focus.
“Since Samya is a child, we can’t let her go on these expeditions alone. So we have been accompanying her every trek,” shares Maulik, who makes sure their daughter is able to take up this sport diligently.
During their treks, however, the family has faced its share of trials. “On the Chadar trek, my wife suffered from Acute Mountain Sickness (ASM), which causes nausea and vomiting due to the sudden exposure to extreme climatic conditions,” shares Maulik.
On another occasion, a fellow trekker fell on the frozen lake and broke her hand, a sobering reminder of the risks involved. These experiences have only deepened the family’s bond and resilience.
Maulik is well aware of the risks involved in taking his family on such extreme treks, but he does it to fulfil his daughter’s dream. “I had to sign an indemnity bond where I will take sole responsibility for Samya, if anything unforeseen happens during the trek,” he says, explaining that 11-year-old children aren’t usually allowed for such treks.
“Sometimes my wife and I get emotional looking at the hard work that my child is putting towards trekking and climbing. She wakes up at 5:30 in the morning, goes to school, gym, yoga, gymnastics, walking, studies, and by the time she sleeps, it is almost 1 am,” shares Maulik. “We are letting her have this schedule just because she is happy making such sacrifices to obtain a bigger goal in life,” he adds.
He admits that Samya doesn’t fully grasp the magnitude of the awards and recognition she receives, reminding us of her innocent age. “For her, it’s just another trek or achievement. She’s just happy about the special treatment she gets in functions.”
Challenges and lessons learnt
Trekking comes with its share of hardships. From dehydration at EBC to the bitter cold of the Chadar Trek, Samya has faced it all. She shares, “The main problem was eating raw or undercooked food. We brought snacks and dry fruits to supplement our meals. The water wasn’t purified, so we used purification tablets that made it taste bitter. We added glucose or Tang to make it drinkable.”
Amidst these challenges, Samya’s resolve and will power remains unshaken. “Pain is an integral part of success,” her father emphasises. “She walked 13 to 14 hours straight during the last two days of EBC. We push her because we know her potential and we believe she can do it easily.”
Recognition and future aspirations
Samya’s accomplishments have garnered numerous accolades, including entries in the Asia Book of Records, India Book of Records, and World Book of Records for being the youngest female to finish the Chadar trek in three days. Samya is also a brand ambassador for the Government of India’s ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign.
“I like showing my medals and certificates to my relatives and friends. They’re always surprised and proud,” she says with a smile.
Looking ahead, Samya aspires to complete the seven summits, a collection of the highest peaks on each continent. “My father’s dream is to finish the seven summits. He’s climbed three so far, and he wants me to achieve this too.”
She is also currently training for her next big adventure: the Aconcagua trek in Argentina, the highest peak in South America at 22,841 feet. Her rigorous preparation includes daily endurance exercises, climbing practice, and mental conditioning.
Alongside trekking, she has also developed a passion for weightlifting. Starting as a means to build strength for her treks, weightlifting has become another arena where she shines. Samya currently deadlifts an impressive 85 kg and dreams of competing in the Olympics.
It is to be noted that trekking and record-setting come at a steep financial cost. The Chadar Trek alone cost Rs 17,500 per person, excluding travel and equipment. “We’re searching for sponsors but haven’t had much luck. Whatever we’ve done so far is from our savings,” Maulik shares. Despite these financial hurdles, the family remains committed to supporting Samya’s dreams.
Samya Maulik is not just an exceptional mountaineer but also an inspiration for young girls everywhere. Her journey exemplifies how passion, hard work, and family support can break barriers. As her father aptly says, “My daughter has a long way ahead. She is going to achieve a lot. I have 100% confidence in her.”
Edited by Arunava Banerjee; All images courtesy Samya Maulik
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