AI Generated Summary
- In a remarkable feat of endurance and determination, 43-year-old Sukhvir Kaur, widely known as Sukhi Bal, has etched her name in mountaineering history by becoming the first Punjabi woman to summit Mount Ama Dablam, one of the most iconic and challenging peaks in the Himalayas.
- In a moment of celebration atop the peak, she even played Punjabi songs on her phone, marking the achievement in her own unique style.
- Battling extreme conditions, including a snowstorm that forced her to retreat temporarily, Bal and her Sherpa guide endured nearly 35 hours with minimal food—surviving on just two biscuits—before making their final push to the summit.
In a remarkable feat of endurance and determination, 43-year-old Sukhvir Kaur, widely known as Sukhi Bal, has etched her name in mountaineering history by becoming the first Punjabi woman to summit Mount Ama Dablam, one of the most iconic and challenging peaks in the Himalayas.
Standing tall at 6,812 metres, Ama Dablam—often referred to as the “Matterhorn of the Himalayas” for its striking pyramid shape and steep ridges—tested Bal’s physical and mental limits during a grueling six-day expedition. She successfully reached the summit on April 15 and descended safely to base camp two days later.
Originally from Chehal village in Patiala district and currently serving as a prison officer in Sydney, Australia, Bal’s journey into mountaineering began only a few years ago. With a background rooted in sports and fitness, she quickly progressed from trekking to high-altitude climbing, having earlier summited Lobuche Peak in Nepal.
Speaking about her experience, Bal described the climb as both “tough and rewarding,” emphasizing the unpredictable nature of mountain weather. “There is no shortcut to success. You must keep your dreams alive and work hard,” she said, encouraging women not to abandon aspirations after marriage but to pursue them alongside life’s responsibilities.
Her journey was far from easy. Battling extreme conditions, including a snowstorm that forced her to retreat temporarily, Bal and her Sherpa guide endured nearly 35 hours with minimal food—surviving on just two biscuits—before making their final push to the summit. “Many climbers turned back just 100 metres short of the peak. It was physically exhausting, but reaching the top made it all worthwhile,” she recalled.
Bal carried personal symbols of strength with her—a photograph of her parents and a white Punjabi ‘chunni’, which she unfurled at the summit. In a moment of celebration atop the peak, she even played Punjabi songs on her phone, marking the achievement in her own unique style.
Leading a diverse team of 11 climbers from countries including Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Iran, and New Zealand, Bal noted that nearly half of the group successfully completed the ascent. The expedition was conducted under official permit from the Nepal government, with support from a trekking company and Sherpa guides.
Bal’s accomplishment also places her among a select group globally—she claims to be the sixth Indian woman and the 25th Australian woman to summit Ama Dablam.
Looking ahead, she has already set her sights on an even greater challenge: conquering Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world.
Her achievement was celebrated in Bathinda, where she was honoured by the Punjabi Adventures Club. The event saw the presence of prominent personalities, including Olympian shooter Avneet Kaur Sidhu, actor Malkeet Rauni, and industrialist Neel Garg, who lauded her inspiring journey.
Bal’s story stands as a testament to resilience, proving that determination and courage can take individuals to the highest peaks—literally and figuratively.
