Mohan Rawat becomes 13th TSAF climber to summit Mount Everest

PINAKI MAJUMDAR

Jamshedpur, May 19: Mohan Rawat, Senior Instructor at the Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF), successfully summited Mount Everest (29,032 ft) on May 18, at 5.20 am (Nepal Time).

His ascent makes Rawat as the 13th climber nurtured by TSAF to achieve this feat.

Rawat, a native of Agora village in Uttarkashi, embarked on his expedition from India on April 10, navigating early logistical hurdles in Kathmandu before reaching Everest Base Camp on May 3. As part of his acclimatisation, he summited Mt. Lobuche East (20,075 ft) on May 2, showcasing his preparedness for the formidable climb ahead.

His final summit rotation commenced on May 8, advancing through Camps 1 to 3 before briefly returning to Base Camp. On May 14, the definitive ascent began at 1 am, as Rawat negotiated the perilous Khumbu Icefall, ascended to Camp 2, reached Camp 3 on May 16, and arrived at Camp 4 (South Col, 26,400 ft) on May 17.

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He stood on the summit of Everest in the early hours of May 18, spending approximately 15 minutes at the peak. He was accompanied by seasoned Sherpa guide Lhakpa Sherpa and backed by Nepal-based outfitter Asian Trekking in his climb.

DB Sundara Ramam, Chairman, TSAF and Vice President (Corporate Services), Tata Steel, reflected on the accomplishment saying, “Mohan Rawat’s summit of Everest is a moment of immense pride for TSAF. His journey—from a modest village in Uttarkashi to the pinnacle of the world—is a powerful story of grit, discipline, and the spirit of exploration. It embodies the values we uphold and the potential we strive to unlock through adventure and purpose.”

From running a Maggi stall along the Dodital trek to guiding rafts through turbulent Himalayan rivers, Rawat’s journey is steeped in perseverance. With over two decades at TSAF, he has undergone intensive training in mountaineering, skiing, and rafting. His mountaineering résumé features an impressive list of ascents, including Chamser and Lungser Kangri, Jogin I & III, Kang Yatse I & II, Bhagirathi II, Mt. Rudugaira, Thelu, Stok Kangri, Dzo Jongo, and Mt. Kanamo.

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Rawat has also been a part of landmark expeditions such as the 2018 Mission Gange, flagged off by the Prime Minister, and the 2022 Trans-Himalayan Expedition led by Padma Bhushan awardee Bachendri Pal, which traversed 4,841 km across 35 challenging mountain passes.

Since 2022, he has trained for Everest, focusing on high-altitude conditioning, technical finesse, and physical resilience. Preparations included winter training in Leh and completing the gruelling Triple Pass Challenge—Darwa, Bali, and Borasu Passes.