Hyderabad, June 19, 2026: Indian mountaineer and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Rajashekhar has successfully summited Mt. Denali, North America’s highest peak, completing the prestigious Seven Summits challenge. This achievement makes him the first doctor from South India to climb the highest mountain on each continent. The historic summit was reached on June 18, 2026, at approximately 8:30 AM IST, marking the culmination of a journey that began with personal health struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Rajashekhar, a specialist in hip and knee surgery and a robotic surgeon, spent years working alongside leading orthopedic surgeons in Hyderabad while training younger surgeons. His life took an unexpected turn during the COVID-19 pandemic when he contracted the virus and required hospitalization. The recovery proved difficult, with lingering fatigue and loss of motivation forcing him to step away from his medical practice for nearly a year. Throughout his mountaineering journey, he received invaluable support and guidance from Bharath Thamineni, founder of Boots and Crampon, whose encouragement played an important role in helping him pursue this ambitious goal.
Determined to rebuild his health, Dr. Rajashekhar chose mountaineering as his path to recovery. His Seven Summits journey started with a successful ascent of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania on January 26, 2022. He followed that with a summit of Mt. Elbrus, Europe’s highest mountain, in August 2022. After suffering multiple injuries, he took a year-long break before returning to climb Mt. Kosciuszko in Australia in August 2023 and reached the summit of Mt. Aconcagua, South America’s highest peak, on February 4, 2024.
His most significant mountaineering milestone came on May 23, 2024, when he successfully summited Mt. Everest. The journey was not without setbacks. His first attempt on Mt. Denali in Alaska came in June 2025, when severe weather conditions prevented a summit push and he suffered frostbite during the descent. Rather than ending the project, the setback reinforced his determination. He later successfully climbed Mt. Vinson, Antarctica’s highest peak, alongside fellow climber Kavita.
According to a voice message shared with family after reaching the summit of Mt. Denali, Dr. Rajashekhar reported that the climb was completed smoothly despite cold temperatures and light winds. “Summit was successfully done without any issue. Little winds and cold temperature otherwise everything is good. No injuries, whole team is doing well,” he said. After the summit, he safely descended to the high camp at an altitude of approximately 5,247 meters, where the team regrouped.
Reflecting on the achievement, Dr. Rajashekhar said, “Standing on Mt. Denali after everything I’ve been through is an incredibly emotional moment. This journey tested me physically and mentally, but it also reminded me of the power of resilience and purpose. Completing the Seven Summits is not just a personal milestone, but a message that recovery and determination can take you to the highest places on Earth.”
Dr. Rajashekhar draws immense strength from his close-knit joint family. He lives with his parents, brother, extended family members and grandmother. He and his wife, Dr. Haripriya, a specialist in Infectious Diseases, have a nine-year-old son. His family has been a constant source of support throughout his mountaineering journey.
Reacting to the achievement, Dr. Haripriya said, “This journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. From battling a serious illness to standing on the highest peaks in the world, his determination has inspired all of us. As a family, we are incredibly proud of his resilience, discipline and courage. This achievement belongs not just to him, but to everyone who stood by him through every challenge.”
