The teen’s transformation from a self-described “lazy” student to a disciplined mountaineer was nothing short of remarkable. “Before mountaineering, Karthikey struggled academically and lacked motivation,” his mother, Laxmi, shared with TNIE. “But after his first trek, everything changed — his focus sharpened, his grades soared from 40% to nearly 80%, and his days began at 4.40 am with rigorous training in Yapral, before heading off to college.”
Over the past five years, Vishwanath trained under the expert mentorship of Bharath and Lt Romil Barthwal, a veteran of the Indian Army and accomplished climber.
“Vishwanath’s achievement is more than just a mountaineering milestone,” said Romil Barthwal. “It’s a testament to his strength of character, humility, and unshakable determination. Guiding him has been a privilege. He’s proof of what young minds can achieve with the right attitude, discipline, and purpose.”
Speaking to TNIE on Karthikey’s achievements, Bharath said: “We have been training Karthikey for five years. Watching his journey and witnessing his growth into India’s youngest to summit all seven peaks has been incredibly special. His commitment has only deepened over time.”
Karthikey left Hyderabad on April 10 and arrived in Kathmandu on May 7. From there, he began the slow, demanding process of acclimatisation.
“The Everest summit wasn’t without challenges. Originally scheduled for May 19, the climb had to be postponed after Vishwanath was struck with the infamous Khumbu cough at Camp 4, forcing a temporary descent. But true to form, he bounced back. Once he recovered, he showed tremendous willpower and pushed forward with focus and resolve,” Bharath added.
