Kaamya Karthikeyan, an 18-year-old from Mumbai, has become the youngest Indian and the second-youngest woman in the world to ski to the South Pole. She reached the destination on December 27, 2025, after completing a grueling 115-kilometer journey through one of Earth’s harshest environments.
The Indian Navy congratulated Karthikeyan on her historic achievement. She endured temperatures of minus 30 degrees Celsius and battled gale-force winds while pulling a sled loaded with her complete expedition supplies.
Who is Kaamya Karthikeyan?
Kaamya Karthikeyan is the daughter of Commander S. Karthikeyan, an Indian Navy officer, and Lavanya Karthikeyan, an early childhood educator. She is an alumna of Navy Children School in Mumbai.
The young mountaineer already holds multiple records. In 2024, at age 17, she became the youngest woman in the world to complete the Seven Summits challenge by climbing the highest peak on all seven continents. She summited Mount Vinson in Antarctica on December 24, 2024.
In May 2024, Karthikeyan conquered Mount Everest from the Nepal side at age 16, becoming the youngest Indian and second-youngest woman globally to achieve this feat. She also climbed Mount Denali in 2022, becoming the youngest non-American to summit the peak.
Her other accomplishments include climbing Mount Aconcagua in 2020, where she became the youngest girl in the world to reach the summit. In 2018, she climbed Mount Elbrus and became the youngest person to complete a ski-descent from the peak. She also scaled Kilimanjaro in 2017 and Mount Kosciuszko in 2018.
In 2021, the Indian government awarded her the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, the highest civilian honor for Indian citizens under 18.
How Did She Ski to the South Pole?
Karthikeyan covered approximately 60 nautical miles on foot from 89 degrees South to reach the South Pole. She pulled a sled laden with all her expedition equipment across the ice.
The journey demanded extreme physical endurance. She faced constant sub-zero temperatures and powerful winds that created whiteout conditions. The thin air at high altitude made every step more difficult. She had to navigate crevasses and unpredictable weather while managing her supplies and maintaining her course.
“Kaamya braved harsh weather of -30 degree Celsius, gale force winds to cover approximately 60 Nautical Miles (nearly 115 Km) on foot from 89 degree South, pulling a sled laden with her complete expedition load, to reach the South Pole on 27 December 2025,” the Indian Navy stated in a post on social media.
Quest for the Explorers Grand Slam
Karthikeyan is pursuing the Explorers Grand Slam, one of the world’s most challenging adventure goals. The challenge requires climbing the highest peak on all seven continents and skiing to both the North Pole and South Pole.
She has already completed the Seven Summits portion of this challenge. Her South Pole expedition marks the second milestone. Only the North Pole remains.
“The mountaineering prodigy is on a quest to become the youngest person ever to accomplish the Explorers Grand Slam, an ultimate adventure to climb the highest peak on all seven continents and ski to both the poles,” the Indian Navy said.
In late November, Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani flagged off her expedition from the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo in Byculla, Mumbai.
The Indian Navy extended its support and congratulations. “Kaamya’s extraordinary achievement is sure to inspire many of her generation to push beyond their boundaries. Indian Navy wishes her fair winds and clear skies on the final milestone of conquering the North Pole,” the Navy stated.
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