Patna: Bihar mountaineer Mitali Prasad has added another achievement to her illustrious climbing career by successfully summiting Mount Kedarkantha, a 12,500-foot Himalayan peak. The Nalanda native and former Patna University student completed the climb in May, further strengthening her reputation as one of Bihar’s most accomplished adventure athletes.
Standing atop the summit, Mitali said she felt immense pride in representing Bihar and carrying the state’s identity to new heights. She described the achievement as proof that determination and perseverance can help overcome any challenge.
Pride in Representing Bihar
Speaking after the expedition, Mitali said the experience was both emotional and inspiring. She said reaching the summit reinforced her belief that people from Bihar possess the courage and resilience needed to achieve extraordinary goals.
Following the successful ascent, she celebrated the moment by raising the slogan “Jai Bihar”.
A Record of Mountaineering Achievements
Mitali has built an impressive record in high-altitude mountaineering over the years.
In 2020, she became the first Indian woman to complete a solo ascent of Mount Aconcagua, which rises 6,962 metres above sea level and is the highest peak in South America.
Her other notable achievements include:
- Scaling Mount Kun (7,077 metres) in 2022
- Completing the Everest Base Camp trek in 2022
- Summiting Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 metres) in 2019
- Hoisting the Indian tricolour atop Mount Bonete (5,400 metres) in 2020
She has represented India and Bihar on several prominent international peaks.
Accomplished Beyond Mountaineering
A postgraduate in Political Science, Mitali has excelled in multiple disciplines.
Before taking up mountaineering, she was an international karate player and earned a Second Dan Black Belt. She also served as an ‘A’ Grade NCC Air Squadron cadet and completed a Para Basic Course in Agra.
From Farmer’s Family to Administrative Aspirations
Mitali belongs to Mayapur village near Katrisarai in Nalanda district. Her parents are farmers and are also engaged in small-scale household industries.
Currently, she trains schoolchildren in Bihar in mountaineering skills while preparing for the Bihar Administrative Service (BAS) examination. She has already appeared in the mains examination twice.
Looking ahead, Mitali hopes to encourage more young people, particularly girls, to take up mountaineering and outdoor adventure sports.
Everest Dream Faces Funding Challenge
Despite her growing list of achievements, Mitali says her biggest dream remains scaling Mount Everest.
However, she noted that arranging financial support for such an expedition remains a significant challenge. Even so, she remains determined to continue pursuing her mountaineering ambitions while inspiring the next generation of adventurers from Bihar.
