Strong will-power helped me scale Everest: Arjun

Over a cuppa

The family had to surmount several difficulties, including mobilising Rs 30 lakh, to make the trip possible. When the Government and corporates failed to back the venture, Arjun's father, Captain Sanjiv Vajpai  mobilised the funds from friends. In fact,  the family had thought of abandoning it more than once. Now that the boy has done the country proud, Vajpai senior hopes that the government will help his son in conquering other peaks. Vajpai family lives in a middle class locality of Noida. After quitting his job in the Army, Sanjiv has been supplying high altitude shelters to the Army to support his painter wife, the sportsman son and a college-going daughter. Anil Sinha of  Deccan Herald spoke to Arun Vajpai.

Excerpts

Many dream of conquering Everest and only a few achieve it. How do you feel about reaching the peak?

It is great feeling when you see the sun rising from below. It is not easy to accomplish either. It requires very high endurance both at mental and physical levels. You have to a face lot of strain, headache and other problems. You can overcome them by your will-power only. My Sherpa helped me a lot.

Were there any risks involved in the mission?

You cannot describe them in words. One mistake, you could come down tumbling and die or become permanently disabled.  Many climbers abandon the idea in the initial stages.
Many of them find it almost impossible to continue. The descending journey is more dangerous. Some, who decide to undertake the journey, opt out in the mid-way because of the dangers involved. One careless step, you could land in a ravine. You have to be fit and should have tremendous patience to overcome the problems. You need good technical skills as well to tackle the adverse topography. You need high endurance level to ward off onslaughts of hostile weather. The low levels of oxygen can drain you out fast.  Only my will power saved me from dying as my oxygen mask had frozen. I just kept telling myself-don't lose heart and move forward.

Can you recall your immediate reaction on being on top of the world?

A small idol of Buddha is there on the Everest to greet you. I just bowed before him and thanked him for allowing me to come there.  It is altogether a different feeling when you are there.  

When did you decide to take up the challenge?  

The idea of climbing the Everest was a recent one. I was attracted to adventure activities and naturally mountaineering interested me. Papa was posted in Pune and I used to accompany him in trekking. I was very young then. It was papa's friend, Colonel Jodh Singh, who actually inspired me to go ahead with it. He is a good climber.

When I was attending the course on  mountaineering at Nehru College of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand), my teachers found me fit for the high altitude trekking. The Asian Trekking finally selected me .

What are your impressions about American Jordan Romero?

I am fascinated by the achievement of the 13-year old American. He was not in our team and climbed the Everest from north. (Jordan Romero broke the record of
Arjun within hours of Indian conquering the Everest).
 
You have been the best sportsman of your school. What are the sports you have been interested in and how do you manage your studies?

 I have been an athlete and a footballer. I have a brown belt in karate I am a national level taekwondo player.  I had never played cricket.  It does not interest me.
I have just entered Standard XII and have always been helped by my teachers to pursue my sports activities. My school, Ryan International, has always been encouraging extra-curricular activities.

What are your future plans?

I plan to conquer seven high peaks on the earth and the South Pole and the North Pole. I was not surprised when I made it to the top. I am very comfortable here in the summer heat of North India. I feel like sleeping all the time.