Battling Blizzards and -30°C, 18-Year-Old Kamya Karthikeyan Becomes Youngest Indian to Ski to South Pole

In an extraordinary feat of courage and endurance, 18-year-old Kamya Karthikeyan, daughter of a naval officer, has become the youngest Indian to reach the South Pole on skis. Confronting extreme conditions with temperatures plunging from 0°C to -30°C and fierce winds, Kamya covered nearly 60 nautical miles (about 115 km) from 89° south, hauling a sled laden with her expedition gear, and reached the South Pole on 27 December 2025.

The Indian Navy congratulated Kamya in a social media post, sharing videos and photographs of her grueling expedition. The Navy stated:
“Kamya Karthikeyan, an 18-year-old and a former student of the Navy Children School, has made history as the youngest Indian and the world’s second-youngest female to ski to the South Pole.”

Mountaineer and Explorer

Kamya, already renowned for her exceptional mountaineering skills, has previously conquered Mount Everest and all seven highest peaks across the continents as part of her pursuit to complete the Explorers Grand Slam—a challenge involving scaling the tallest mountains on all seven continents and skiing to both the North and South Poles.

The Navy added, “Kamya’s remarkable achievement will inspire countless young people of her generation to push beyond their limits. We extend our best wishes as she pursues her final goal of reaching the North Pole.”

Kamya’s record-breaking journey not only exemplifies extraordinary physical and mental resilience but also reinforces the spirit of adventure, determination, and pioneering Indian youth on the global stage.