By scaling Mount Vinson, Antarctica’s highest mountain at 4,892 metres, Tashi Malik and Nungshi Malik from Dehradun have become the world’s first twins and siblings to climb the highest peaks on the seven continents.
The 23-year-old twins accomplished their “Mission 2 for 7” on Tuesday night (IST) when they conquered the mountain.
The mission, which they have dedicated to the cause of the Indian girl child, started by conquering Mt. Kilimanjaro in February 2012. The mission progressed as they conquered Mt. Everest in May 2013; Mt. Elbrus in August 2013; Mt. Aconcagua in January 2014; Mt. Carstensz Pyramid in March 2014; and Mt. McKinley in June 2014.
“Coming from a place that records high rates of female foeticide and increasing violence against the girl child, we want to stand for her as she climbs mountains through life’s journey. Using our mountaineering as a metaphor for life’s climbs and breaking gender stereotypes, we want to show her that she can conquer every obstacle that is thrown her way,” says their statement on their official website.
Their father, Col. (Retd) Virender Singh Malik, told The Hindu on the phone that “They will now be skiing to the South Pole and the North Pole. Their ski to the South Pole will be an extension of their current journey. If they accomplish it, then, in April next year, they will ski to the North Pole. Scaling the seven summits and skiing to the South and the North Pole — called the Explorers’ Grand Slam — will complete their mission for the girl child.”
