Bengaluru: While climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, eight-year-old Samarth Disan from Bengaluru did not realise he was on his way to achieving a remarkable feat.Samarth triumphantly reached the summit last month after an arduous seven-day journey that took him through diverse terrains, including lava fields, rainforests and alpine desert. A Grade 3 student and resident of Yemalur, he is among the youngest Indians to summit the majestic 5,895-metre peak in Tanzania.For Samarth, the moment he reached Kilimanjaro’s summit was nothing short of transcendent. Along the way, he encountered fascinating wildlife, including playful monkeys, soaring ravens and the rare alpine chats of northeastern Africa.“Alpine chats bounce like tennis balls,” says Samarth, who attends tennis classes after school. His 11-year-old brother, Sahas Disan, recalls how Samarth’s fascination with wildlife kept him on the lookout for a snow leopard. “One of his friends wanted to keep a snow leopard as a pet, so he kept looking for one,” Sahas says.Accompanied by their parents, entrepreneurs Sandeep Gudibanda and Divya Kalva, the siblings, who study at Neev Academy, forged unforgettable memories during the remarkable expedition.Sounding wise beyond his years, Samarth says, “I have heard people claim that they conquered Kilimanjaro or Everest. ‘Conquered’ is the last word I would use. I’d say I embraced Kilimanjaro.” He adds that they approached the summit with humility, mindful that many things could have gone wrong during the expedition.For Sahas, the climb was exhausting, but the joy of reaching the summit kept him going.Two months of preparationDuring the summer holidays, the brothers underwent two months of preparation, hiking Nandi Hills several times. “We walked on an inclined treadmill for half an hour every day and climbed the 16 floors of our community twice a day, up and down. But nothing comes close to what we endured on Kili! It is 500 times Nandi Hills,” says Samarth.The siblings pushed and encouraged each other whenever one felt low. They had prepared mainly for long walks and the physical demands of the climb, but little did they know that the nights would prove more challenging than the days.“We had to sleep in a basic tent on a sloping floor, under a big tree, in the rainforest. We could barely sleep, which made the next day a struggle. The following day, we climbed for 12 hours over hot, rocky terrain and did not reach our camp until 4pm. I developed a severe headache and nausea because we had not had lunch. With five more, increasingly difficult days ahead, I wasn’t sure if I could continue,” recalls Sahas, who has previously completed treks across the mountains of Georgia.Amid the icy darkness, the young climbers tackled the challenging summit using only the glow of their headlamps. Despite battling frozen toes, Samarth maintained an impressive SpO2 level of 98% even at altitudes above 5,000 metres. Frequent foot massages helped them cope with the biting cold. As dawn broke, the warmth of the rising sun lifted their spirits.The rare feat also made the family realise how humbling nature can be. After a week of living almost like cavemen without bathing, even a simple hot-water shower—something often taken for granted—brought them immense joy.QuotesBefore the trek, I read Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air to understand how expeditions can go awry despite meticulous planning. I realised that the only thing we can control is how we prepare; the outcome is beyond our control. We were mentally prepared to turn back if our health deteriorated. That clarity helped us stay focused. Sahas DisanWe did pranayama and strength training three times a week. Both Sahas and I play tennis and train for more than 50 hours a month, which helped build our enduranceSamarth DisanSummiting Kilimanjaro is a significant achievement even for an experienced mountaineer. The climb demands considerable physical and mental strength, as well as endurance, given the high altitude and the need for acclimatisation. These boys have shown that with grit and determination, any hurdle can be overcomeS Srivatsa, MENTOR, KARNATAKA MOUNTAINEERS ASSOCIATIONBoxA family that treks together stays togetherWhen Sandeep Gudibanda and Divya Kalva set themselves the goal of climbing Kilimanjaro ahead of Divya’s birthday, their children wanted to join them. Sandeep has completed multiple marathons and an Ironman, while Divya has run an ultramarathon. Inspired by others, they began trekking with Everest Base Camp and gradually took on longer and more challenging routes.As parents, however, they were constantly worried about the children. “Kilimanjaro is a volcanic mountain with lava towers and hard, rocky terrain. You could fall and get injured, especially while descending,” Divya said.eom
