Chennai’s Dr Priya Selvaraj on surviving a crevasse fall and summiting Mount Everest

My journey to Everest did not begin with a fascination for summits. It was not even my second choice for a climb after the successful and spiritually fulfilling Manaslu summit.

But, the emotional upheaval of the COVID years and a personal loss had me Google possible choices for a scenic yet culturally significant trek far from the noise. For me, that refuge became the mountains. In quick succession, I lined up summits including Sandakphu Phalut, Khopra ridge, and Kilimanjaro. Encouraged, I proceeded to complete Everest base camp and Lobuche East, qualifying me for technical climbs including 8,000 metre peaks like Manaslu and Everest.