Belgaum native Neha Doddannavar, currently residing in the UK, has achieved a remarkable feat by successfully conquering Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain globally. Hailing from Belgaum, Neha, a fitness enthusiast, embarked on her mountaineering journey alongside her friends, progressing from local charity walks and hikes in the UK to summiting various mountains in England over the past three years.
Neha Doddanavar, the daughter of Dr. Ramesh and Dr. Savitri Doddanavar of Deccan Hospital in Belgaum, has brought honor to her hometown with this significant accomplishment. The pinnacle of their achievements led them to the challenging task of conquering Mt Kilimanjaro, necessitating meticulous planning and preparations.
Neha, dedicated to her goal, underwent an intense six-month training regimen, incorporating activities such as weightlifting, uphill and downhill climbing, aerobics with weights, squats, yoga, and more to enhance her stamina. Cold showers, ice dips, and yoga breathing techniques also played a crucial role in her preparation.
The highest point on Mt Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak, situated on the Kibo cone, stands at an elevation of 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level. Neha’s ascent to the summit took nine hours, followed by a 3.5-hour descent. Climbing the single free-standing mountain presented challenges with steep inclines, high altitude, intense UV rays, and slippery terrain. Neha highlighted the importance of careful acclimatization during the seven-day trip, with nighttime summits to avoid the harsh UV rays.
Reflecting on her Kilimanjaro experience, Neha shared that two members of their four-person group had to stop their journey due to low oxygen. Despite facing exhaustion just 300 meters from the summit, Neha persisted and reached her dream destination. Overwhelmed with emotion upon reaching the summit, she expressed gratitude to her husband, parents, and friends for their unwavering support. Looking ahead, Neha is now planning to conquer more mountains in the coming days. She resides in Aylesbury-Buckinghamshire, UK, with her husband Bharath and daughter Diya, having graduated from Bharatesh BBA College after her schooling at St Joseph’s Convent in Belgaum.
