Priyanka Mohite: Celebrating the Trailblazer of Five 8,000m Peaks

One of the most decorated mountaineers of India, Priyanka Mohite is celebrating her birthday today and The Bridge tracks down her journey from Satara in Maharashtra to the highest peaks in the world.

A Dream Born in the Sahyadris

Priyanka’s story began in the quiet town of Satara, Maharashtra, nestled in the lap of the Sahyadri hills.

As a child, she wasn’t glued to a screen or stuck in books, she was outdoors exploring trails and finding joy in nature’s challenges. Little did she know these early adventures would be the foundation for a life filled with daring climbs and breathtaking views from the world’s highest summits.

]Her first serious climb was Bandarpunch in the Garhwal Himalayas in 2012. It was here that Priyanka discovered not just a love for mountaineering, but also her strength.

A year later, at just 21, she stood atop Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. Imagine that moment: standing at 8,849 meters, looking down at the clouds, knowing you’ve achieved what few dare to dream.

Priyanka recalls it not as a triumph of strength, but of willpower. “The mountain humbles you,” she often says. “It teaches you patience, respect, and resilience.”

Breaking Barriers and Records

But Priyanka wasn’t done. Over the next decade, she would conquer peak after peak from Mount Makalu (Nepal) in 2016 to Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) her latest one in 2024.

In 2016, Priyanka became the first Indian woman to climb Mount Makalu and followed it up with Mount Lhotse in 2018.

Priyanka braved treacherous conditions in 2021 to summit Mount Annapurna and then became the first-ever Indian woman to conquer five peaks above 8,000m by climbing Mount Kanchenjunga in 2022.

Balancing Peaks and a Career

Mountaineering isn’t her only identity. Priyanka also manages a demanding job at Syngene International balancing boardroom meetings with treks and training. Her success in both worlds is a testament to her discipline and passion.

Even Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, the founder of Biocon has publicly praised Priyanka, calling her an inspiration not just to climbers but to all women striving to break barriers.

Priyanka’s achievements have earned her accolades such as the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award in 2020 and the Shiv Chhatrapati State Award. These honors, however, are just milestones along a path that continues to ascend.

What sets Priyanka apart is her ability to inspire. She’s not just a mountaineer but a symbol of perseverance, a beacon for young women who dream of breaking stereotypes and reaching their own summits. Her message? “Dare to dream, and be ready to work relentlessly for it.”

As she celebrates another year of life, we raise a toast to Priyanka Mohite: a woman of strength, courage, and infinite possibilities.