Ggn woman treks to world’s second highest peak

She was the only Indian woman to be part of the January 2014 expedition to Aconcagua in Argentina, which, at an altitude of 7,000m, is the second highest peak among the Seven Summits.
And she’s a Gurgaon mom! Komal Sodhi, 39, a yoga instructor by profession and mother to Tamanna, 10, and Mannat, 15, calls mountaineering her passion. The gruelling expedition lasted 20 days, from January 9 to 31, Komal says it was a life-changing experience, just like each of her other treks.
When was your first climb and how did it all began?
I’ve been teaching yoga since 2008 and I run a yoga studio in Gurgaon.I feel that my journey of fitness is related to my passion for mountaineering. Since I’m a fitness enthusiast, I’ve always been keen on climbing. The first major trek of my life was to the advance base camp of Mount Everest, at 6,400m, in May 2012, which lasted 22 days. The trek required a lot of physical endurance, and once I came back, it felt like an achievement. It was the first time I’d tried something so strenuous, and that started my mountaineering journey.
Tell us about your family
My husband, Sandeep Sodhi, a captain in the Navy, has been my pillar of strength throughout. I was first introduced to mountaineering because of him, as we were planning a vacation and came across a travel company that helps organize such expeditions. He said that I should go ahead and do it. I feel that my successfully completing the Aconcagua expedition is a family effort. I would’ve gotten discouraged if my kids and my family had not supported me. My husband says that when I climb, he feels he has summited, and that gives me so much encouragement. We also make it a point to never leave the kids alone when I am away; my husband is there with the kids.
Did you undergo any training?
I’d been planning the expedition to Aconcagua for a year. I did two treks in Leh in January and August 2013 for 10 days each, because I wanted to make sure I had the endurance and the stamina required for a 20-day trek in Argentina. I was self-training for four months. Besides my regular yoga classes, I was doing outdoor running. I would go to a nearby apartment building and climb 15 floors up and down 10 times with a 10kg backpack, twice a week, just to get used to carrying weight and climbing. The running was to increase my heart capacity and endurance level. I knew the trek would require a lot of strength, and having the right gear for extreme temperatures was as important as the training.
How was the experience in Aconcagua?
The group in Argentina was a very diverse one and I enjoy being with people I have never met. It gives you the opportunity to be yourself. In a family, there are certain ways you are supposed to behave, but in the mountains, I get to meet such interesting people. Everyone has a story to tell and we become friends for life. But being a lady, it’s more difficult as there is no luxury available – even to change your clothes, you have to go behind a mountain, and there’s always the fear of what’s going to happen next. This time, I did feel like giving up, as the weather was really bad for a couple of days. At very high altitudes, things go wrong often. There were times I asked myself what I was doing up there. The wind blew at 70-80 miles per hour (about 110-130km per hour). Even going to the bathroom was scary. It snowed a lot – for three days, we couldn’t brush our teeth and for 10 days, we couldn’t shower. Lots of people fell ill and there were many helicopter rescues. There are times your body does ask for comfort. The mountains really test you. Only those who are able to endure them come back as winners. They also make you humble – no matter how much you prepare, in front of nature, you are nothing. I kept telling myself, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. I missed my daughters a lot, but they’re proud of what I do.
What has the journey taught you?
The mountains are so serene, and there is definitely a spiritual connection in my life. Every experience has been a different journey. I wouldn’t be who I am if I had not undertaken these expeditions. Each one has taught me so much. I have grown because of the challenges I undertook. I feel that the mountains are inside me and when I achieve something, the growth is within. I also do my favourite jump on the mountain when I achieve my target. Now, my aim is to climb Mount Everest, for which I need to be prepared both mentally and physically. I know in my heart that this is my ultimate destination.
What is your message to other Indian women?
During my Aconcagua expedition, others in my group asked me what I was doing in Argentina when people go to India for mountaineering expeditions. There’ve been times when people have questioned me and asked me not to do it anymore, but it’s something I want to continue throughout my life, as it’s the most beautiful experience of my life. Women are not just meant to be just in the kitchen. It’s a great sense of achievement and I feel that men and families should be more encouraging and supportive towards the women in their midst. Through my endeavours, I want to change the mindset that women are weak. Also, I want to encourage women to try mountaineering – if not as a career path, then once a year, like I do. The first step should be to get fit, as the preparation is very important.