Haryana sisters become the first south Asians to win Explorers Grand Slam for mountaineering

 

Sisters Tashi and Nungshi Malik have become the world's first twins and siblings to climb the famed 'Seven Summits' (highest peaks in all continents), win the prestigious 'Adventurers Grand Slam' (seven summits plus ski to North and South Poles) and 'Three Pole Challenge' besides setting several national and regional records

The twin sisters have conquered the peaks of -

• Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa
• Mt Elbrus, Europe
• Mt Aconcagua, South America
• Carstensz Pyramid, Oceania
• Mt Mckinley, Alaska and 
• Mt Vinson, Antarctica's highest peak

This achievement comes just two years after the two siblings had scaled the highest peak in the world on May 19, 2013 at the age of 21. They were also featured in the 60th edition of Guinness World Records.

Lauding their achievements, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said the twin sisters should be role models and youth icons for the young generation especially in a country tackling the challenges of female foeticide and illiteracy

The twin sisters are also Haryana's brand ambassadors for the Beti Bachao campaign.

The twins, who became obsessed with mountain climbing since 2009, are the among the 44 mountaineers in the Explorers Grand Slam to have completed this feat since 1998

The twins climbed the Mount Everest in May 2013, and then embarked on their next challenge, which involved climbing the highest peak in all 7 continents - Mt. Everest, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Denali, Aconcagua, Vinson Massif, Mt. Elbrus, Mt. Kosciuszko and Carstensz Pyramid.

The 23-year-old sisters from Sonepat are also the youngest in the world to have completed the challenge in April 2015

The twin sisters  became the only Indians to complete the Explorers Grand Slan Andventure Challenge to reach the North Pole, the South Pole and all of the Seven Summits.