Published: 1 January 2026Deccan HeraldGeneral
Kaamya Karthikeyan Becomes Youngest Indian to Ski to South Pole at Age 18
Mumbai's 18-year-old Kaamya Karthikeyan became the youngest Indian and second-youngest woman globally to ski to the South Pole. The daughter of an Indian Navy officer completed the final stretch of her Antarctic journey on December 27, 2025, travelling nearly 115 km from 89 degrees south latitude, hauling a sled with food, equipment, and survival gear without external support.
Kaamya endured temperatures dropping to minus 30 degrees Celsius and powerful polar winds. In 2024, at age 17, she completed the Seven Summits Challenge, scaling the highest peaks on all seven continents including Mount Everest. She is now on the final leg of the Explorer's Grand Slam, which combines the Seven Summits with skiing expeditions to both poles. The Indian Navy acknowledged her achievement as a national pride.
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Q: Highlight the significance of Kaamya Karthikeyan's South Pole ski expedition as a marker of Indian achievement in adventure sports. (10 marks)
Answer (50 words):
At age 18, Mumbai's Kaamya Karthikeyan became the youngest Indian and second-youngest woman globally to ski to the South Pole, covering 115 km from 89 degrees south unsupported in minus 30 degrees Celsius winds. Having completed the Seven Summits at 17, she now pursues the Explorer's Grand Slam.
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Practice MCQ from this story
SolveTap an option below. Correct or incorrect feedback appears instantly.
Linked questionEasy
Kaamya Karthikeyan, who became the youngest Indian to ski to the South Pole, also holds which record?
Explanation · Correct answer BKaamya Karthikeyan became the youngest Indian and second-youngest female in the world to ski to the South Pole, reaching it on 27 December 2025. She had earlier become the youngest Indian and second-youngest female to climb Mt Everest from the Nepal side, summiting on 20 May 2024, and had also completed the Seven Summits Challenge. Therefore, option B is correct; the other options refer to records not associated with her.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Kaamya Karthikeyan and what record did she set at the South Pole?
**Kaamya Karthikeyan** (18) from **Mumbai** became the **youngest Indian** and **second-youngest woman globally** to ski to the **South Pole**. She completed the final stretch on **December 27, 2025**, travelling nearly **115 km from 89 degrees south latitude**, hauling a sled with food, equipment, and survival gear **without external support** in temperatures of **minus 30 degrees Celsius**.
What is the Explorer's Grand Slam and where does Kaamya Karthikeyan stand in completing it?
The **Explorer's Grand Slam** combines the **Seven Summits** (scaling the highest peak on each continent) with **skiing expeditions to both poles**. **Kaamya Karthikeyan** completed the **South Pole ski** on **December 27, 2025** and is now on the **final leg** of the Grand Slam, having previously skied to the North Pole.
What is the Seven Summits Challenge that Kaamya Karthikeyan completed in 2024?
The **Seven Summits Challenge** involves scaling the **highest peaks on all seven continents**, including **Mount Everest**. **Kaamya Karthikeyan** completed this challenge in **2024 at age 17**, making her one of the youngest Indians to do so. She followed it with the **South Pole ski in December 2025 at age 18**.
What extreme conditions did Kaamya Karthikeyan face during her South Pole ski expedition?
**Kaamya Karthikeyan** endured **temperatures dropping to minus 30 degrees Celsius** and **powerful polar winds** during her Antarctic ski expedition. She travelled **nearly 115 km from 89 degrees south latitude**, hauling a **sled with food, equipment, and survival gear without any external support**.
What is Kaamya Karthikeyan's family background and who recognized her achievement?
**Kaamya Karthikeyan** is the **daughter of an Indian Navy officer** from **Mumbai**. The **Indian Navy** acknowledged her South Pole achievement as a **national pride**. At 18, she became the youngest Indian to ski to the South Pole (December 27, 2025), after completing the **Seven Summits at age 17 in 2024**.
