Prahlad Singh Rathore, customer care manager, Mahindra Last Mile Mobility, ex national-level footballer and scaler of heights, speaks to Echo about his dream to summit the Seven Summits; his recent ascent to Mount Elbrus and how he crowdfunded this dream.

How did you start trekking – what made you take this up as a hobby?

I was born and raised in Rajasthan, where the landscape is dominated by deserts and sand dunes. Every time I visited Himachal Pradesh or Uttarakhand, I was mesmerized by the mountains, the crisp fresh air, and the peaceful, pollution-free environment. They always filled me with calmness and joy.

During the COVID period, a friend encouraged me to try trekking. Having always been a sports person and a national-level footballer, I looked at it as a new challenge. My first treks — Hamta Pass in Himachal Pradesh, Deo-Tibba and Goecha La peak in Sikkim — may be considered beginner-friendly, but for me, completing them was a big achievement. They gave me a sense of positivity and drew me closer to nature. What started as curiosity soon became a passion, almost an addiction, as the mountains began to shape not just my fitness, but also my outlook on life.

Why Mount Elbrus?

My long-term vision is to climb all Seven Summits of the world, with Mount Everest as the ultimate dream. Mount Elbrus, at 5,642 meters, is known as one of the more approachable of the Seven Summits, making it the perfect stepping stone. Its elevation, terrain, and extreme conditions mirror some of the challenges faced on Everest and Denali.

For me, Elbrus was not just a personal milestone but also a strategic step — a way to test myself, prepare for tougher climbs, and get one step closer to the Everest. Each climb brings me closer to my long-term vision, a journey that not only demands personal commitment but also collective encouragement and support.

How did you prepare for the climb – physically and mentally?

Climbing a mountain isn’t just about stamina — it’s about discipline. I spent over a year preparing myself. Physically, I followed a strict routine: cycling 10 km daily, running 5 km regularly, and climbing 2,000 stairs twice a day. Alongside, I focused on strength and endurance training. My diet was equally disciplined — high in protein with eggs, fish, pulses, fruits, and milk, while minimising wheat, rice, sugar, and salt.

My coach played a huge role in keeping me mentally strong and focused. I’ve learned that once your body is prepared, the mind naturally follows — and that belief carried me through. My mountaineering coach Mr Yadav was a constant guide, motivating me and keeping me focused. I believe that once you are physically strong, mental resilience follows, and this balance gave me the confidence to push through the toughest phases of the climb.

How did you crowd fund your climb? How much did you raise? How did you use it?

Mountains teach you humility — and sometimes that means asking for help. About two weeks before my climb I drafted a detailed message about my dream, the expedition and why the support would matter. Using WhatsApp broadcasts and personal messages I reached out to my circle of friends, relatives and well-wishers sharing my dream and the details of the expedition. The response overwhelmed me — people believed in my journey and contributed.

In total I raised ₹1,65,000/- and this went into buying the right gear — jackets, shoes, backpacks, and essentials. It also covered my visa and travel expenses and fees to national parks. In Russia, I rented advanced equipment like a harness, ice axe, and helmet. That support wasn’t just financial — it carried me emotionally up the mountain too.

This experience showed me that big dreams are never achieved alone — they need a community of believers. Every bit of support — whether moral, logistical, or financial — adds strength to the journey.

What challenges did you face during the climb, and how did you overcome them?

This was my first exposure to extreme altitude and weather, which made acclimatisation very difficult. The base camp itself was at 3,800 meters with temperatures around –12°C, strong winds, and heavy snowfall. Carrying heavy loads on steep, icy terrain added to the struggle. Imagine the cold biting your skin, snow sinking under your feet, and winds pushing you back with every step.

The summit push was brutal. The final summit push was the most demanding. We started at 10pm climbing through the night in –20°C with winds of 45 km/h, minimal food, and oxygen levels as low as 62–70%. Each step felt harder than the last. One section — a dangerous ridge with only a single fixed rope — was particularly risky, as ascending and descending climbers had to cross at the same time. We also witnessed a tragic accident when a mountaineer slipped, reminding us of the risks involved.

What helped me push through was the constant guidance of my coach, the teamwork with fellow climbers, and the discipline to follow instructions on balance, pace, and foot placement. Without that support system, reaching the summit would have been impossible.

Where is your next climb (pun intended)?

The journey doesn’t stop here. My next target is Mount Kosciuszko in Australia this November, followed by Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in January 2026, and then Denali in Alaska in June 2026. After that, I plan to attempt Mount Vinson Massif in Antarctica, Mount Aconcagua in Chile, and finally — the greatest dream — Mount Everest.

Climbing the Seven Summits is not just about me; it’s about inspiring others to chase their “Everest,” whatever that may be. Of course, funding and support will be crucial, but I believe every step will attract the right people to join me on this journey. With passion, discipline, and encouragement, no peak is too high.

Each of these expeditions requires extensive preparation, both physically and financially. While I continue to give my best, I know that encouragement and backing from organisations like ours will make this dream not just a personal success, but a shared achievement that reflects the Mahindra spirit worldwide.

Mountains test endurance, resilience, and courage — qualities that align with the very ethos of Mahindra. As I move forward in this Seven Summits journey, I hope to not just represent myself, but also carry the Mahindra values to the highest peaks across the world.