Hyderabad: At just 16, Vishwanath Karthikey Padakanti from Hyderabad has pulled off something extraordinary—he’s become the youngest Indian, and the second youngest person in the world, to complete the 7 Summits challenge by climbing the highest mountain on each continent.
He wrapped up this epic journey by scaling none other than Mount Everest, the tallest peak on the planet. “This journey tested every part of me—physically, mentally, emotionally,” he said after his Everest climb. “Reaching the summit and realizing I’d completed the 7 Summits—it’s something I still struggle to put into words. I couldn’t have done it without the people who stood by me, especially my family and mentors.”
Here’s the full list of peaks Vishwanath has conquered:
- Asia – Mount Everest (8,848 m)
- South America – Aconcagua (6,961 m)
- North America – Denali (6,190 m)
- Africa – Kilimanjaro (5,895 m)
- Europe – Mount Elbrus (5,642 m)
- Antarctica – Mount Vinson (4,892 m)
- Australia – Mount Kosciuszko (2,228 m)
Behind this achievement is not just years of physical training but a deep well of support at home. His parents, Padakanti Rajendera Prasad and Padakanti Laxmi, and his grandparents played a huge part in shaping his path. In particular, it was his mother’s belief—that a life of passion is a life well lived—that pushed him to aim higher.
Vishwanath trained under the guidance of Bharath and Lt. Romil Barthwal, a former Army officer and seasoned mountaineer. They describe him not just as a strong climber, but as someone with grit and humility. “This isn’t just about mountains,” they said. “It’s about character, discipline, and heart.”
The road to this moment wasn’t short or easy. It took five years of intense training, including brutal treks in some of the world’s harshest environments. But all of it built the foundation for what he’s achieved.
Now, Vishwanath’s name sits alongside the world’s elite mountaineers—but what’s more powerful is the message he’s sending to young people everywhere: that age is no barrier when determination runs deep, and that the biggest mountains—literal or not—can be climbed.
In a world quick to set limits, this teenager from Hyderabad just redrew the map.
