UP lad makes the state proud, scales sixth highest peak in the world

Noida: Arjun Vajpayi, the young mountaineer from Uttar Pradesh, has again made the state proud after successfully scaling the Mount Cho Oyu, sixth highest mountain in the world, on Tuesday. The Cho Oyu, located 8,188 metres above the sea level at Nepal-Tibet border, was scaled by Vajpayee at 0615 hours . This was the fifth eight-thousander scaled in last six years and with this accomplishment he became the youngest mountaineer to climb five highest peaks of the world. Arjun is also the third youngest Indian to scale the Mount Everest at the age of 16 years in 2010.

Arjun and his team struggled through the harsh weather to reach the peak, said Arjun’s father, Retd Captain Sanjeev Vajpayi. “He called us early morning and told about his achievement. The temperature was about minus 40 degrees at night and it has taken toll on Arjun’s and guide’s health,” his father stated.

Arjun’s father also told that the team will be carrying all the garbage that was created by them on the expedition, while returning. “This summit was a total no garbage expedition. Arjun and his team will carry down all the garbage they created,” said Sanjeev.

Arjun and his Cho Oyu journey:

• Arjun’s father, recalling his journey, said scaling Cho Oyu was a challenge for Arjun as he had to return from the summit, earlier in 2012, due to partial paralysis caused by the harsh weather on the mountain.
• “In 2012, Cho Oyu gave him some hard time. He is a fighter and he finally conquered it,” said Sanjeev.
• Arjun started his second summit on September 18 last.

Peaks that Arjun Vajpai scaled:

• Vajpai had scaled Mount Everest, Mount Makalu, Mount Leh hotse Mount Manashalu. He had faced many difficulties during his expedition of Mount Makalu and had been able to scale it in his fourth attempt.
• Arjun’s Olympic dream:
• The youngest mountaineer from Noida is planning to prepare for Olympics after returning from Cho Oyu.
• “Three forms of mountaineering have been included in the Olympics and he will prepare for bouldering, a form of boulder climbing,” said Arjun’s mother Priya Vajpai.
• She said that Arjun has already urged the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for opening a rock climbing institute in Noida and will again initiate talks after returning from Cho Oyu.