A 59-year-old tailor from Kerala, Vasanthi Cheruveettil, has defied age and defied the odds by successfully trekking to the Everest Base Camp without any formal training. Cheruveettil, a resident of Thalipparamba in Kannur, reached the South Base Camp on February 23, after starting her journey from Surke, Nepal, on February 15.
Her preparation for the arduous trek was unconventional. Despite skepticism from friends, Cheruveettil trained for four months, following a rigorous routine of daily three-hour walks, wearing trekking boots, and covering 5-6 kilometers every evening. She even learned Hindi to better communicate with locals and watched YouTube videos to familiarize herself with basic trekking techniques.
The trek was no easy feat, with Cheruveettil facing several challenges along the way. Bad weather caused the cancellation of her flight to Lukla, forcing her to seek an alternative route to Surke, where she was helped by a German couple. The journey itself was grueling, with steep climbs and narrow paths, requiring Cheruveettil to walk for six to seven hours a day, taking breaks to avoid exhaustion.
Her accomplishment went viral when a photo of her waving the Indian flag in a traditional Kasavu saree at the Everest Base Camp captured hearts online. This wasn’t Cheruveettil’s first solo adventure—she had previously traveled to Thailand alone after her friends doubted her ability to travel solo.
Funding her travels through her tailoring business, with occasional support from her sons, Vineeth and Vivek, Cheruveettil has now set her sights on her next dream destination: the Great Wall of China.
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