Deeya Bajaj on climbing Seven Summits with father: ‘When outdoors, challenges don’t discriminate based on gender’

So, in a conversation with indianexpress.com, Deeya, an adventurer, mountaineer, and motivational speaker, shares her experiences of partaking in some of the most challenging expeditions on the planet and overcoming adversity.  Excerpts:

Q. What motivated you to start mountain climbing?

Deeya: Adventure and the outdoors have always been a part of my life. Growing up in an adventurous family, I was exposed to hiking, rafting, kayaking, skiing, and more from a young age. My parents would take me on expeditions when I was a baby. My father, who was the first Indian to ski to the North and South Poles, inspired me. I always wanted to join him on his expeditions. My motivation came from a deep love for the outdoors, a desire to push my limits, and a curiosity to explore the most remote parts of our planet.

Q. Which was the most difficult terrain you climbed?

The father-daughter duo descending the world’s tallest peak–the Mount Everest. (Source: Deeya Bajaj/ Snow Leopard Adventures)

Deeya: The most difficult terrain I have navigated so far is the death zone on Mount Everest. Anything above 8,000 metres is extremely challenging – with low oxygen levels, harsh weather and a treacherous terrain. One of the toughest moments was when my father’s oxygen mask froze near the summit. Thankfully, we were able to get a spare mask, and both of us made it to the summit safely. Overcoming this obstacle required mental and physical resilience, staying focused, and relying on the strong bonds we formed with our fellow climbers.

Q. What challenges did you face as a woman climber?

The father-daughter duo during their Greenland ice-sheet skiing expedition in 2011. (Source: Deeya Bajaj/ Snow Leopard Adventures)

Deeya: I believe that Mother Nature levels the playing field. When you are outdoors, challenges and obstacles do not discriminate based on gender – it is more about endurance, skill, and mental strength. While there may be some societal limitations placed on women, I have been fortunate to have a supportive family that empowered me to pursue my passion for mountaineering. Personally, adventure has been about breaking barriers and showing the world that women can achieve anything that they put their minds to. I do speak to a lot of younger girls in schools and colleges and show them that – ‘Hey! We girls can do anything, and we just need to go out there and give it a try.’

Q. How did you prepare for your climbing expedition to Mount Denali? What was your fitness routine like?

Deeya: To prepare for our expedition to Mount Denali in Alaska, I followed a rigorous fitness routine. I had to be creative as I was in the process of completing my MBA at the Wharton Business School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I would wear a 20 kg weight vest during my 30-minute walk to class, and in the evenings, I would climb up the 120-150 flight of stairs in a nearby building (30 flights 4-5 times). There were plenty of trails around where I lived in Philadelphia, and during the weekends I would go out on hikes with friends. The rest of my fitness routine included a lot of different types of cardio (running, cycling, swimming, tennis and boxing) to make sure I had some variety in my training and keep it exciting. I would also do specific strength training exercises targeting my core and lower body.

Q. How was your experience climbing Mount Denali?

Deeya at Mount Denali. (Source: PR Handout)

Deeya: Climbing Denali was challenging yet an absolutely incredible experience. We were carrying all of our supplies for 21 days, which meant each of us had 60 kg of weight to carry up the mountain. The steep slopes, unpredictable weather and heavy loads – all made the expedition extremely physically demanding. However, the stunning scenery and the sense of accomplishment after the expedition made it all worth it.

Q. Which is your favourite adventure destination?

Deeya: I love that the outdoors are so easily accessible in the US. This was a highlight during my studies in the country. The fact that I could just wake up on the weekends and have beautiful hikes nearby was very special and is a major reason why I have decided to move to San Francisco to work after my MBA.

During my undergraduate studies at Cornell University, I worked a lot with the Cornell Outdoor Education program, where I taught whitewater kayaking, cross-country skiing and led their wilderness pre-orientation program (Outdoor Odyssey) in Upstate New York. Other amazing adventures I have been on in the US include hiking in the Grand Canyon, skiing and ziplining in Colorado, sea kayaking in Puerto Rico and rafting in California. What strikes me most about all of these experiences is that the instructors, equipment and safety standards were always of top quality. Beyond this, the US takes great pride in preserving its outdoors, and this can be seen by how pristine all the wilderness spaces are.

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