Sixty-six-year-old Shamala Padmanabhan is the only Mysurean to be part of the Fit@50+ Women’s Trans Himalayan Expedition 2022. This extraordinary expedition, led by legendary mountaineer Bachendri Pal, covered 4,977 kms, crossed 37 high passes and spanned 141 days, stretching from the Eastern to  the Western Himalayas.

Shamala also completed Siachen Glacier Trek in 2024. It was a testament to grit, resilience and the boundless spirit of womanhood. As part of the month-long International Women’s Day, Star of Mysore traces Shamala’s inspiring journey that redefines age and adventure. —Excerpts

By B.N. Ramya

Star of Mysore (SOM): What sparked your interest in adventure?

Shamala: It began at Maharani’s College, where I joined the NCC and attended a rock climbing course organised by School of Adventure (now inactive), affiliated to National Adventure Foundation, at Chamundi Hill in 1976-77. In NCC, I represented Karnataka and Goa as a Senior Under Officer at the Republic Day Parade 1979 and won the banner for the State for the first time.

Nepalese-Indian Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay was in Mysuru to attend a function organised by School of Adventure in late 70s.

Trekking was rare in Mysuru back then, but our group of 8-10 regularly trekked. We trekked to Tadiandamol in Kodagu way back in 76-77. We also walked from Mysuru to Calicut in 12-13 days. We have trekked all nearby hills including Pandavapura, Gommatagiri, trekked from Angla to Gopalaswamy Betta in late 70s when I was around 20 years then. Then there were very few buses to Gopalaswamy Betta. But now, you are not allowed to walk there. Chamundi Hill was our training ground. We conducted basic rock-climbing courses for bank employees and NCC students behind Nandi Statue, where the rocks are ideal for rappelling.

SOM: How did your family support your passion?

Shamala: My father, Padmanabhan, was a Purohith and a Sanskrit College Professor, while my mother, Sharada, was a home-maker. Growing up with seven sisters and three brothers, being the youngest gave me the freedom to pursue my dreams.

SOM: What drew you to mountaineering courses?

Shamala: Inspired by Dr. C.P. Ravichandra, a retired English Professor and a mountaineer trained at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) in Darjeeling, I embarked on my mountaineering journey. I pursued the Basic Mountaineering Course at HMI in 1981, supported by a scholarship from the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF). Sherpa Mountaineer Nawang Gombu, who has the credit of climbing Everest twice, was the Vice-Principal at HMI.

We trained on the Tenzing Rock, which felt like child’s play to me. After seven days of basic training and rope knot practice, we embarked on a seven-day trek to Pelling. At Chowrikhang, we honed our snow and ice craft skills and summited B.C. Roy Peak (17,800 ft.), earning me an A grade.

I received another IMF scholarship for the Advanced Mountaineering Course, where I climbed the then-unclimbed ‘Virgin Peak’, now known as Khangla Khang (18,348 ft.). In 1986, the Rotary Mysore sponsored my second advanced course. With support from my Economics Professor, Rtn. Madaiah, I trained at the Western Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Manali (now the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports) and successfully summited Deo Tibba.

SOM: Did you train IPS probationers in rock climbing?

Shamala: Between 1986 and 1992, while in Mysuru, I collaborated with Govindaraju of the Deccan Mountaineering League. I trained six batches of IPS probationers in rock climbing. Praveen Sood, former Mysuru City Police Commissioner, was part of the 1987 batch. After their training in Mussoorie, IPS officers were sent to Hyderabad for a rock climbing course. I also served as a Liaison Officer for foreign mountaineers.

SOM: How did you balance your career and passion?

Shamala: After 1987, my career took precedence. I moved to Bengaluru, worked with Deccan Herald and later joined Mount Carmel College but I continued trekking. Later, I received a Fulbright Scholarship to pursue an MS in Communication Technology at Syracuse University, New York. This aid included travel grants and I explored.

After returning to India, I joined TATA Consultancy Services (TCS) in Bengaluru and later moved to Trivandrum corporate training centre. In 2004, I relocated to Mumbai. I participated in treks through the Maitree Club. I also visited Jamshedpur and met the legendary Bachendri Pal — a fitting encounter that came full circle years later when I joined her Trans Himalayas.

SOM: How was it rubbing shoulders with Bachendri Pal?

Shamala: I first met her during a pre-Everest expedition to Mt. Kamet in 1991 where she led a 19-member all-women team. After joining TATA, I was keen to reconnect with her, which I did in 2004 when she was heading Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF). In 2016, I trekked with Bachendri Pal to Siyari Top (11,862 ft.); in 2019, I was part of Everest Base Camp and in 2022, I joined her in Fit@50+ Women’s Trans Himalayan Expedition.

SOM: You turned a marathoner too.

Shamala: In 2009, TATA introduced the ‘Fit for Life’ initiative, training employees for marathons. I began training in 2010 and completed my first half marathon in 2011. Between 2011 and 2020, I ran 10 half marathons in Mumbai and participated in several 10K races.

In 2012 and 2013, I ran the Amsterdam Half Marathon, followed by marathons in Leh Ladakh, Satara, Shimla, and Dursheet. In 2014, I was part of the organising team for the TCS New York City Marathon. I also participated in a 12-hour run in Mumbai, covering 55 km in the first year and 65 km in the second. Additionally, I completed an Ultra Marathon (35 km). Marathon training kept me agile and fit. In 2017, I trekked to Chandrakani Pass. In 2019, I joined the Everest Base Camp trek to celebrate the Women’s Silver Jubilee Everest Ascent of 1993, led by Bachendri Pal.

SOM: Post-retirement, how did you pursue your passion?

Shamala: I retired in 2019 and soon COVID-19 struck. In October-November 2020, Bachendri Pal called me, concerned about deteriorating health of women during pandemic. She wanted to initiate something under PM Modi’s ‘Fit India’ movement.

She later proposed the Trans Himalayan Expedition with the Centre and a 12-member team was formed, comprising women from the 1991 expedition and a few new members. The oldest were 69-year-old Vasumathi Srinivasan from Bengaluru and Bachendri Pal, while the youngest was 53. I was 64.

I practised on Chamundi Hill, carrying a 5 kg weighted vest and a backpack filled with old books and newspapers, covering 15-20 km daily. In August-September 2021, we did Dodital Darwa Pass trek in preparation to Fit@50+ Women’s Trans Himalayan Expedition which was launched on March 8, 2022.

SOM: How do you describe Trans Himalayan Expedition?

Shamala: ‘Romancing with Uncertainty’ best describes our 141-day expedition. Online maps were unreliable as what existed one day vanished the next, forcing us to rely on local guidance. Indian Army frequently rerouted us due to militancy.

The first month was the toughest. We had breakfast at 4.30 am, packed lunch, and hit the trail by 5.30 am. We travelled with horses, mules, donkeys, and sometimes human porters.

We slept in chicken farms, abandoned buildings and school verandas. In Nepal’s Singri, we even stayed in a graveyard. Only time the 11 women argued was over toilet access — otherwise, we were accommodating despite our diverse backgrounds.

SOM: Gruelling stretches?

Shamala: Annapurna Circuit trek was particularly gruelling. We started at 2.30 am to summit Thorong La Pass, covering 13.5 hours, a day’s longest trek. On average, we covered 20-25 km daily, though in the mountains, it was about hours, not distance.

We helped each other through physical and mental challenges and after exhausting treks, we still had to pitch our tents before 4 pm to avoid strong winds and biting cold. With no toilet breaks on some routes, we endured leeches and other discomforts.

On July 5, while crossing Lamkhaga Pass, Bimla Deoskar slipped and broke her leg. With no helicopter rescue possible, TSAF staff, Indian Army and porters safely brought her down. She was flown to Nagpur for surgery but remarkably rejoined us on July 26 in Dras, Kargil, completing the expedition. After 141 days of grit and determination, we completed the expedition, leaving behind a lasting legacy of strength and resilience.

SOM: Lessons learnt from the mountains?

Shamala: Living in mountains teaches you to embrace minimalism. Despite many of us dealing with blood pressure and knee pain, none of us fell sick. The experience made us mentally resilient. I’ve stopped complaining about trivial matters.

SOM: Your fitness routine?

Shamala: I wake up at 5.45 am and go for walk with my sister. Once a week, I run and four days a week, I walk or jog 10 kms. I have a personal trainer and do yoga and strength training, focusing on isometric bodyweight exercises. Every 10 days, I cycle for 10 kms. In summer, we enjoy swimming. I’m also passionate about Karnatak music and never miss major concerts.

SOM: Your message…

Shamala: Fitness and wellness should be integral to everyone’s life, especially for women, who experience significant physical changes due to childbirth and menopause. Women over 40 must prioritise ‘me time.’

Staying fit isn’t about achieving a perfect figure — it’s about being healthy. When you’re fit, your family benefits too.

An alumnus of Lakshmipuram School, Sarada Vilas High School and Maharani’s College, Shamala is a 1982-84 batch MA Journalism student of Manasagangothri.

As a Fulbright Scholar, she did MS in Communication Technology from Syracuse University, New York. After working as a Journalist and Journalism Lecturer at Mount Carmel (Bengaluru) and CAVA (Mysuru) and Corporate Communication professional, she retired from TCS as a Senior General Manager, Corporate Communication in 2019.

After Trans Himalayas in 2022, Shamala has successfully done her Gangotri Trek in 2023 and celebrated Independence Day with Siachen Glacier Trek last year (2024). Now she lives with her sister Vishala and brother Murthy in Lakshmipuram, Mysuru.