On November 10, 2024, Shaikh Hassan Khan, a Kerala government employee, etched his name in history by becoming the first Malayali to complete the prestigious Seven Summits challenge. Standing atop Mount Kosciuszko in Australia, dressed in a traditional kasavu mundu and holding the Indian national flag, he marked the end of an extraordinary journey that had taken him across seven continents. From the icy slopes of Antarctica’s Mount Vinson to the towering heights of Everest, his feat was more than just a personal victory, it was a call for climate action and global unity.
In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, he shared details about the same.
FROM ENGINEER TO MOUNTAINEER
Born and raised in Pandalam, Pathanamthitta, Khan’s path to mountaineering was anything but conventional. A trained engineer, he led a quiet life working for the Kerala government until a trip to Darjeeling in 2015 changed everything. A visit to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute sparked an obsession, and soon, he was training in the harshest terrains of Uttarkashi and beyond.
“Something about the mountains called out to me,” Khan recalls. “I knew I had to push myself beyond my limits.”
With no background in extreme sports and limited financial resources, Khan took out a loan of Rs 45 lakh to fund his expeditions. Each climb demanded not only immense physical preparation but also meticulous planning, and he relied on a small group of friends for support.
A JOURNEY OF HIGHS AND LOWS
Scaling the world’s highest peaks is never without peril. Khan’s Everest expedition in 2022 nearly ended in disaster when he developed a severe lung infection. Forced to turn back just days before reaching the summit, he faced crushing disappointment. But instead of giving up, he trained harder and returned the following year, successfully reaching the top of the world’s highest mountain.
“The mountain decides when to let you through. You have to respect its power and keep going, no matter how many times you fall,” he shared.
During his Denali climb in North America, he lost his footing on hidden ice craters, suffering injuries that almost forced him to abandon the mission. On Antarctica’s Mount Vinson, the temperature plunged to minus 40 degrees Celsius, leaving him with frostbite on both hands. Yet, he pressed on.
“I remember thinking, ‘This is it. I might not make it down. But then I thought of my family, my country, and the reason I started this journey. That gave me the strength to take the next step,” he told Indian Masterminds.
CLIMBING FOR A CAUSE
Beyond the thrill of mountaineering, Khan had a larger purpose, raising awareness about climate change. Each summit carried a message, with Khan unfurling the Indian flag and advocating for environmental conservation at every peak. His expedition to Antarctica was particularly significant, as he witnessed firsthand the alarming impact of climate change on the continent’s fragile ecosystem.
“The ice is melting faster than we realize,” he warns. “If we don’t act now, future generations won’t have these mountains to climb.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
For most, conquering the Seven Summits would be the pinnacle of achievement, but for Khan, it’s just the beginning. His next goal? Climbing the highest peak in every country in the world.
“I want to show people that nothing is impossible if you have the will to chase your dreams. The journey doesn’t end here.”
From a government office in Kerala to the top of the world, Khan has proved that ordinary individuals can achieve the extraordinary. And as he prepares for his next adventure, one thing is certain: the mountains will always have a place for him.
