(November 13, 2025) When mountaineer Bharath Thammineni began his descent from Dhaulagiri in Nepal, the seventh-highest mountain in the world in May this year, his body was on the verge of shutting down. His mind, however, wouldn’t let him stop.
Battling unpredictable weather and severe respiratory issues, particularly the debilitating Khumbu cough (a high-altitude cough caused by cold, and dry air), survival at 8,167 metres above sea level was becoming increasingly difficult. Then came the ‘third man syndrome’ — a phenomenon where he saw someone walking beside him, advising and comforting him, while in reality, he was completely alone.
“It was my mind, not my body, that carried me through those final moments. The Dhaulagiri climb reminded me how fine the line is between life and death in the high mountains,” smiles Bharath, the first Indian mountaineer to conquer all nine permissible 8,000-meter peaks, in a chat with Global Indian. Beyond mountaineering, Bharath is also an entrepreneur. He is the founder of Boots & Crampons, a Hyderabad-based mountaineering company that has trained and guided hundreds of climbers across continents.
The quest
Bharath completed this decade-long quest on October 14, 2025, at 8:55 am (IST), upon successfully reaching the summit of Cho Oyu (8,201m) — the sixth-highest mountain in the world. This final summit cemented his place in history as India’s foremost high-altitude mountaineer. “Each of the nine 8,000-meter peaks I’ve climbed tested me in different ways. No two mountains are ever the same. Every summit demands its own kind of strength, patience, and endurance.”
The Beginning: Mount Everest
Bharath’s extraordinary mountaineering journey began with conquering Mount Everest in 2017. His first attempt ended abruptly due to the devastating Nepal earthquake. However, he returned determined and successfully summited Everest the following year. “That experience changed my life. It gave me a sense of purpose and a deep connection to the mountains.”
Scaling new heights
From then on, there was no looking back. Bharath went on to climb Manaslu in September 2018, Lhotse in May 2019, followed by Annapurna I in April 2022 and Kangchenjunga in May the same year.
In May 2023, he conquered Makalu, followed by Shishapangma in October 2024, Dhaulagiri in May 2025, and finally Cho Oyu in October 2025. “Standing on the summit of Cho Oyu, I felt immense gratitude for the journey. I hope this inspires a new generation of Indian climbers to aim for the highest peaks.” he remarks.
Lessons from the mountains
“Each expedition has been a unique learning experience, testing both physical endurance and mental strength,” says Bharath, recalling Dhaulagiri as one of the most challenging and life-threatening experiences of his career. He adds, “Experiences like these strip away all illusions of control. They remind us how fragile we truly are before nature’s might. Mountains demand respect, perseverance, and patience.”
The masters and the mountains
Bharath received his formal mountaineering training from the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) in Darjeeling in 2014. However, most of his real learning, he says, happened directly on the mountains. “Every expedition since then has been a form of advanced training in itself. The mountains became my greatest teachers, shaping my skills, mindset, and understanding of what it truly means to climb.”
Boots & Crampons: Building a climbing legacy
Driven by his passion for mountaineering, Bharath founded Boots & Crampons in 2017. Through the Hyderabad-based mountaineering company he has personally guided and led over 400 climbers to summits above 6,000 meters.
The vision behind the company is to create a world-class Indian outfit focusing on high-altitude expeditions. Over the years, it has grown into a strong and trusted community of climbers operating across all seven continents. “Our main focus is on serious mountaineering expeditions, but we also conduct structured training programs for aspiring climbers covering technical skills, endurance, and high-altitude preparation,” says Bharath.
Many of his trainees have gone on to climb some of the world’s toughest peaks. “To date, over 1,000 climbers have successfully reached their summits with us. Ours is the only Indian company to have summited all nine 8,000-meter peaks and the Seven Summits — the highest mountain on each continent,” he says. Since he personally oversees everything from receiving climbers at the airport to ensuring every expedition member returns safely, there’s always much to think about. “My work demands constant planning, observation, and attention to detail,” he explains.
Boots & Crampons expedition at Mt Ama Dablam
The Andhra boy
Born in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, Bharath studied there until Class 5 before moving to Guntur to attend Triplaar Boarding School. An avid athlete, he excelled in track and field and played football passionately. Later, he pursued higher studies at the Merit Institute of Technology in Ooty. His father, a businessman, passed away in 2012, while his mother is a homemaker.
Finding inspiration in Ooty
Bharath’s passion for mountaineering began naturally. “In school, sports were given equal importance to academics, which built a strong foundation for discipline, endurance, and a love for the outdoors.” Studying in Ooty surrounded by mountains, deepened his fascination with nature. “That environment made me realize how much I was drawn to the mountains and the challenges they represented.”
Mind over matter
While physical preparation is vital, Bharath believes that mental strength truly determines success on a mountain. “The challenges at high altitude are as much psychological as they are physical. One needs to stay calm, make critical decisions, and remain motivated in extreme situations,” he says. Guiding climbers through difficult conditions has strengthened his resilience. “My foundation for physical fitness was built early on through athletics, which helped me develop endurance, discipline, and body awareness,” he says adding “In the end, both body and mind must move in sync. Physical training builds the strength to climb, but mental preparation gives you the strength to keep going when the climb gets toughest,” he sums up.
At peace in the silence
When Bharath is on a mountain, his mind is fully engaged yet deeply at peace. “Climbing alone on big mountains is a completely different experience. There’s a rare sense of calm that I find only up there — away from the noise, surrounded by nothing but nature and silence.” Those moments, he says, make him feel truly alive. “That stillness, that connection with the mountain, is what keeps me going every single time.”
Next Stop: Antarctica
Bharath’s immediate goal is to fly to Antarctica this December to climb his final peak in the Seven Summits Challenge. Once that’s complete, his next big objective is the Snow Leopard Challenge, climbing five peaks above 7,000 meters in the Pamir region (between Central and South Asia). “It’s a demanding pursuit, but I’m excited to take it on as the next chapter in my mountaineering journey.”
Advocating for mountain safety
One crucial issue Bharath emphasizes is the urgent need for a heli-rescue system in India’s mountains. “At present, there’s no established helicopter rescue network for emergencies during expeditions. This is a major gap as timely rescue operations can make the difference between life and death at high altitude,” he says. He believes such a system would transform Indian mountaineering, making it safer and more professional. “It would encourage more people to take up climbing confidently and help India match global standards in expedition safety and management.”
Beyond the peaks
Apart from mountaineering, Bharath enjoys watching movies of all languages as they open new worlds and perspectives. “During long expeditions, when there’s quiet time in the tents, I often find myself writing stories for my own joy and reflection.” Back home, he also enjoys playing football. “Whether it’s films, writing, or sports, each of these interests helps me unwind and express a different side of myself. beyond the mountains,” he signs off.
- Follow Bharath Thammineni on Instagram
ALSO READ: Satish Gogineni creates history as the first Indian to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole
