Bargarh (Odisha)- A 29-year-old mountaineer from Bargarh district has etched his name in history by scaling Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. Ashirbad (Anup) Mahapatra, son of farmer Ram Narayan Mahapatra and Damayanti Mahapatra of Kulita Tukura village in Attabira block, reached the summit of the 5,895-meter (19,341 feet) mountain, bringing immense pride to his district, state, and the nation.
Ashirbad began his African expedition on August 2, 2025, joining an international team of climbers representing the United Kingdom, United States, Iran, Brazil, Germany, Australia, the Philippines, Canada, Argentina, England, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Japan, China, and Dubai. Remarkably, he was the only Indian in the group, carrying the tricolour to the summit and etching his name among the country’s rising adventure icons.
Mountaineering has been more than just a sport for Ashirbad—it has been his lifelong passion. His training spans a range of adventure and survival skills including skydiving, paragliding, skiing, shooting, CPR, search-and-rescue operations, and high-altitude survival techniques. These skills have shaped his readiness for the extreme demands of international expeditions.
Before his latest triumph, Ashirbad had already built an impressive record of climbs. His previous achievements include summiting Tatakoti (4,760 m), Harmukh (5,300 m), Trishul (7,120 m), Neelkanth (6,596 m), Sunset (4,745 m), Gol Top (4,420 m), and Sleeping Lady Mountain (2,240 m). Each successful climb has added to his reputation as a determined and resilient mountaineer.
Expressing his joy after reaching Kilimanjaro’s summit, Ashirbad extended heartfelt gratitude to Bargarh MP Pradip Purohit for his encouragement and consistent support. “Mountaineering was my childhood dream, and today, I am living it,” he said.
The young adventurer is now setting his sights on his next challenge—Mount Elbrus in Russia, Europe’s tallest peak at 5,642 meters (18,510 feet). Ashirbad’s mission is to once again hoist the Indian flag at the summit and continue his journey of bringing global recognition to the country.
Beyond personal achievements, he is determined to use his experiences to motivate and train India’s youth in the field of mountaineering and adventure sports. By nurturing new talent, he hopes to inspire a generation of climbers who will carry India’s name to the world’s most challenging peaks.
Ashirbad’s accomplishment has been widely celebrated, with congratulatory messages pouring in from institutions, leaders, and well-wishers across India. His success stands as a testament to grit, courage, and unshakable determination—qualities that have turned a dreamer from Bargarh into a national symbol of inspiration.
With his unwavering spirit and ambitious goals, Ashirbad Mahapatra is not just climbing mountains; he is lifting India’s pride to new heights.
