“It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.”
Sir Edmund Hillary
Have you ever seen a girl climbing summits and running on the highest roads like Umling La or climbing the mountains? It is rare to see them donning adventure gear and running for thousands of kilometres only to fulfill their inner appetites and become an inspiration for others.
But there is a girl from the stigmatized state of Bihar who has turned her passion for mountaineering into a lifelong mission where she climbs the highest mountain peaks and even performs the unthinkable act of running the world’s highest motorable road.
We are talking about a girl who achieved the world record of reaching the highest motorable road, Umling La Pass (19,300 feet), by running for just 18 days from Delhi on 5th September 2023. This record makes her the first female runner to do so.
Her tale of adventure and perseverance deserves to reach as many people as possible. So, just read on and be inspired by this story filled with courage, struggle, and the inspiration of an amazing girl.
- Who is Sabita Mahato?
- Conquering Umling La Pass and Breaking World Record
- Sabita Mahato’s Struggles on Umling La Road
- Sabita Mahato: First Female Runner Breaking Records Since 2017
- Sabita: Truly A Beacon of Hope for Millions of Other Women
- Sabita is a Special Girl, but She is living life with an Ironic Lack of Support.
Who is Sabita Mahato?
Sabita Mahato is no ordinary individual; she embodies the spirit of adventure in its purest form. But she did not get into the sport without formal training. She is a graduate of geography, and the secret behind her accomplishments is her professional mountaineering training, which she received from the prestigious Himalayan School of Mountaineering.
However, her background story is not a fairytale. Sabita Mahato was born in Bihar, and later her father took her to Kolkata, where she used to sell fish at a stall. Amazingly, a girl with the bare support of finance and resources got into the fields of cycling, mountaineering, and running, where one needs to be mentally and physically tough. So, it makes her tale of breaking record after record even more fascinating.
Conquering Umling La Pass and Breaking World Record
Sabita finds comfort among the Himalayan peaks and valleys, just as a child does when curled up on a mother’s lap. For Sabita, the mountains are more than just geographical features; they are her sanctuary, her playground, and her ultimate challenge.
When she embarks on a mountaineering expedition, it is more than just a physical challenge; it is also a spiritual journey. The mountains become her friends, showing her the value of solitude and teaching her resilience and patience.
Because of her love for mountains and unwavering determination to accomplish what no one has ever done, she has broken records and blazed trails in the world of adventure sports.
Recently, she broke the world record by running up to the same highest motorable road, Umling La, on 5th September 2023. Her journey started on 19th August 2023, from Manali and reached Umling La on 5th September 2023. She covered 570 kilometres from Manali to Umling La in just 18 days.
Conquering Umling La just by running was the biggest challenge for Sabita Mahato. Umling La Pass is 19,300 feet above sea level. Umling La Pass is the world’s highest motorable road. Umling La is a road full of challenges. The air in Umling La is thin, which makes normal breathing a task making this challenge even more difficult. Sabita Mahato’s decision to run on Uming La despite the difficulties is a sign of her perseverance and courage.
Sabita Mahato’s Struggles on Umling La Road
Sabita Mahato has faced every difficulty and challenge that comes with her mission because of her resilient nature. Several videos show her gasping for air due to tiredness and the high altitude. Even she got down with a fever. But she just does not give up.
The Umling La Pass, which she reached running, is situated at an altitude of more than 19000 feet, which is higher than Everest base camp. It’s a huge challenge to achieve such a feat, even for an accomplished athlete, let alone a girl who has just started her athletic career.
Sabita Mahato: First Female Runner Breaking Records Since 2017
In January 2017, she set the Vajra World Record for being the first and youngest female to travel 12,500 kilometers across 29 states in just 173 days. Her incredible achievements did not end there. Sabita’s adventurous spirit took her to new heights in 2019 when she climbed Mount Trishul in Garhwal, which stands at 7,120 meters.
She also conquered the Umling La Pass, the world’s highest motorable road at an astounding 19,300 feet, on her bicycle in 2022. Her dedication and grit earned her the title “Best Female Performance in Adventure 2019” and the esteemed Chanda Gayen Bravery Award.
Sabita: Truly A Beacon of Hope for Millions of Other Women
Her commitment to spreading awareness about women’s empowerment makes Sabita Mahato’s journey even more inspirational. She talks about spreading awareness about women’s rights and empowerment. Her accomplishments, from setting records to taking on challenging expeditions, serve as a shining example for women and girls, particularly in rural areas, proving that one can achieve the extraordinary with determination and unwavering resolve.
Sabita is a Special Girl, but She is living life with an Ironic Lack of Support.
Although there is a lack of support, there is always a ray of hope. Sabita has requested that the government provide her with sponsorship so that she can scale Mount Everest and even the North Pole and the South Pole with the kind of support she deserves.
However, in the past, the Sulabh Foundation and various other organisations have been associated with her, like the Vasant Kunj Cycling Club in Delhi. A talent like hers needs all the support because she is like a rare diamond, and her love for country, women’s empowerment, and passion are pristine.
Mad4India hopes Sabita Mahato continues on her way to achieving even tougher records and getting the support she desires because more individuals like her are willing to sacrifice everything for their passion, love of country, and becoming different from the crowd.
To know more about the inspiring story of Sabita Mahato, You can follow her on Instagram
If you loved reading about Sabita Mahato, know more about Became Indian Female Mountaineer From Maharashtra At 38 With Slipped Disc Twice, Unfurled Tiranga At Mt. Everest Base Camp
Feature Image- Instagram, Instagram
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