(April 11, 2024) “Aconcagua, we came, we saw, we conquered,” said Ayaan Saboor Mendon after becoming the youngest mountaineer to ascend Mt. Aconcagua at the age of 9 years and 6 months, this February. “Being on top of the world at such a tender age is amazing,” he mentioned on social media. Ascending about 20,000 feet of the highest peak in the Americas was tough.
“Despite facing challenging weather conditions and strong winds that prompted us to prioritise safety over reaching the peak, every moment of this journey was cherished,” said the climber. This is not the first feat of the Indian-origin, Dubai-based mountaineer. Last year, at the age of eight, he had scaled Mount Elbrus in Europe. Before that, he had ascended Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Mount Kosciuszko in Australia and Mt Everest base camp in Nepal.
Ayaan Saboor Mendon
Climbing high with encouragement and support of parents
Given his young age, the mountaineer is always accompanied by his parents on mountaineering expeditions. “Immense thanks to Mom, Dad, my guides, and all those who contributed to making this unforgettable expedition possible. I am deeply grateful that my parents not only support me but also prioritise my well-being and health throughout all my climbs,” he had remarked after the Mt. Aconcagua expedition, adding, “Your presence in this milestone means the world to me. Here’s to embarking on the next adventure.”
The young mountaineer has inherited the love for climbing from his parents, Vani Mendon and Saboor Ahmad.
The American expedition
During the arduous Aconcagua expedition in America, Ayaan successfully climbed up to 19,600 feet on the daunting slopes of the mountain which stands at a towering height of 22,838 feet.
With just 3,000 feet, Ayaan was ready to become the youngest person in the world to summit the peak but they faced adverse weather conditions during the journey.
With wind speeds expected to exceed 65 km/h for three consecutive days, his parents decided to prioritise Ayaan’s safety over continuing with the ascent.
“Considering the unfavourable weather conditions and the inherent risks associated with climbing, particularly for someone of my age, we opted against it. We were quite apprehensive; the conditions made it challenging for us to even walk,” the Dubai based climber shared in an interview with Khaleej Times.
“Even though his slender frame could not proceed, his resilience and determination shone through. It is nothing short of an impressive record in itself,” remarked Ayaan’s mother, Vani.
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This was the young mountaineer’s third major attempt and it began on a high note. At the Aconcagua Base Camp, he had a chance encounter with his idol – Nirmal Purja MBE, a Nepal-born naturalised British mountaineer who achieved the remarkable feat of summiting 14 peaks in just six months. Impressed by the young boy, Purja inquired about his identity. Coincidentally, Ayaan was clad in the mountaineering gear from Purja’s own brand.
Their journey commenced on January 21, with the family planning to reach the summit after 20 days on February 11, navigating through various checkpoints leading to the peak. Ayaan found himself among a group of over 5,000 individuals attempting to summit the peak, making him the youngest among them. All others were at least 16 years old, requiring him to obtain court approval. The application process for this had begun last year.
Past milestones
At the age of eight, Ayaan successfully scaled Mount Elbrus in Europe last year. Expressing gratitude to their guide, he had remarked, “A special shout-out goes to our exceptional guide, who proved to be our guardian angel amidst dangerous weather conditions. Your support, knowledge, and quick thinking saved our lives and made this experience memorable.”
Despite aiming to reach the peak within eight days, the young hiker had completed the ascent of the 5,642-metre-high peak in just five days. Prior to this achievement, he had already scaled Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Mount Kosciuszko in Australia and Mt Everest base camp in Nepal.
Additionally, he had participated in Tough Mudder (an endurance event series in which participants attempt 10-to-12-mile-long obstacle courses) and Spartan races (a series of obstacle races of varying difficulties). With these early achievements, his ambitions to conquer the mountains had only grown.
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Toiling hard
The student of North London Collegiate School in Dubai undergoes intense training sessions to prepare for his mountain adventures. It involves activities like treadmill jogging, walking with heavy weights, pushing sledges, and completing hurdle courses. While these activities may seem demanding for a boy who is not even 10, it’s precisely this dedication that makes him a mountaineer at such a tender age.
He also quite often explores the hills of Hatta and Ras al Khaimah in UAE to hone his skills.
Giving back
The mountaineer is good at saving money. Last year he was deeply moved when he heard about the innocent people dying in the Gaza conflict. Before that he did not know much about the wars. He had Dh8,000 in savings from his expedition awards. Upon discussions with his parents and tutor when Ayaan learned about the suffering children and families, he donated the amount to help them out in his own little way.
Aiming high
Full of ambitions and fascination for mountaineering, the young achiever has his future expedition goals set.
He aims to conquer the peaks of the Himalayas by the age of 16, a feat that would establish him as the youngest to summit the tallest of all the 14 tallest peaks in the world. “Age is not a barrier,” he believes.
Ayaan Saboor Mendon
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