“If we seven women can ski to the South Pole, then anyone can do anything!” beamed Reena Kaushal Dharmashakthu, the first Indian woman to ski to the South Pole as part of the Kaspersky Lab Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition. In a conversation with Spriha Srivastava, the 38-year-old mountaineer and outdoor instructor shares her experience of the 900 km historic ski-run with a group of six other women from Commonwealth countries
How did you get into adventure sports, and especially skiing?
Since childhood I was drawn towards adventure sports. My father was in the army, so we got a lot of opportunities to go on treks etc. Skiing came in much later in my life. I had done a little bit of skiing in Manali and that’s when I took a liking to it. My family always encouraged me to be involved in adventure sports. So, thanks to them, I grew up with adventure in my life. I did my mountaineering course from Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (Darjeeling), and one day I got this chance for going to an expedition to Antarctica. In fact, I learned skiing properly for this expedition only.
Not many people in India know much about skiing. What strengths does one need to pursue this sport?
Manali, J&K and Uttarakhand are the places where one gets the opportunity to ski. Certain courses are also conducted there. It is a risky sport, no doubt, which requires a lot of stamina. Apart from physical strength, mental strength is of utmost importance. If you are strong-willed, this sport becomes easy. And what’s most important is to have a passion for it.
Did you ever face something like a life and death situation during the expedition?
Not really. I did feel that there were a lot of risks involved, but did not really get the feeling that I’d die. The expedition to Antarctica was tough… we had to go through crevasses, face storms and brave the cold weather, but I knew all this at the back of my mind. To survive the cold, you have to be on your guard and be very attentive about minute details, like if the gloves get wet then one should change it immediately to avoid catching a cold, which can be a terrible thing on an expedition and in that kind of weather.
What was the biggest challenge that you faced during this expedition?
The expedition as a whole was very challenging. Battling the cold every day, travelling long distances and less sleep…
it was all very challenging. We also carried back human waste! But yes, all of it feels great because I’ve brought home beautiful memories of Antarctica, which is simply a place out of this world. Also, I feel proud having accomplished such a great feat, the message of which was to promote inter-cultural understanding and to raise awareness of the role Antarctica plays in the survival of the environmental system.
You are the first woman to accomplish such an exemplary feat. Why do you think we didn’t have anyone attempting it in the past?
Yes, I’m the first woman to ski 900 kms. Well, going to Antarctica is a very expensive deal which is a major deterrent. One needs to have sponsors for an expedition to Antarctica. Also, if women are encouraged, I’m sure there will be a lot more of them doing this. I’d say that if you want to do it, get on it!
How can adventure sports be encouraged in India?
First, the government has to recognise adventure sports in India. It’s very difficult to get sponsorships without recognition. I also faced this problem. There are a lot of people who have done courses and have certificates in different adventure sports but unfortunately, they don’t have much scope. Another thing that can be possibly done is to have a provision for such people in the army. It can be a huge advantage to have people with certifications in mountaineering etc. in the armed forces. And that’s when parents would also encourage their children to get involved in adventure sports because there will be an assurance of a job.
How did you get into adventure sports, and especially skiing?
Since childhood I was drawn towards adventure sports. My father was in the army, so we got a lot of opportunities to go on treks etc. Skiing came in much later in my life. I had done a little bit of skiing in Manali and that’s when I took a liking to it. My family always encouraged me to be involved in adventure sports. So, thanks to them, I grew up with adventure in my life. I did my mountaineering course from Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (Darjeeling), and one day I got this chance for going to an expedition to Antarctica. In fact, I learned skiing properly for this expedition only.
Not many people in India know much about skiing. What strengths does one need to pursue this sport?
Manali, J&K and Uttarakhand are the places where one gets the opportunity to ski. Certain courses are also conducted there. It is a risky sport, no doubt, which requires a lot of stamina. Apart from physical strength, mental strength is of utmost importance. If you are strong-willed, this sport becomes easy. And what’s most important is to have a passion for it.
Did you ever face something like a life and death situation during the expedition?
Not really. I did feel that there were a lot of risks involved, but did not really get the feeling that I’d die. The expedition to Antarctica was tough… we had to go through crevasses, face storms and brave the cold weather, but I knew all this at the back of my mind. To survive the cold, you have to be on your guard and be very attentive about minute details, like if the gloves get wet then one should change it immediately to avoid catching a cold, which can be a terrible thing on an expedition and in that kind of weather.
What was the biggest challenge that you faced during this expedition?
The expedition as a whole was very challenging. Battling the cold every day, travelling long distances and less sleep…
it was all very challenging. We also carried back human waste! But yes, all of it feels great because I’ve brought home beautiful memories of Antarctica, which is simply a place out of this world. Also, I feel proud having accomplished such a great feat, the message of which was to promote inter-cultural understanding and to raise awareness of the role Antarctica plays in the survival of the environmental system.
You are the first woman to accomplish such an exemplary feat. Why do you think we didn’t have anyone attempting it in the past?
Yes, I’m the first woman to ski 900 kms. Well, going to Antarctica is a very expensive deal which is a major deterrent. One needs to have sponsors for an expedition to Antarctica. Also, if women are encouraged, I’m sure there will be a lot more of them doing this. I’d say that if you want to do it, get on it!
How can adventure sports be encouraged in India?
First, the government has to recognise adventure sports in India. It’s very difficult to get sponsorships without recognition. I also faced this problem. There are a lot of people who have done courses and have certificates in different adventure sports but unfortunately, they don’t have much scope. Another thing that can be possibly done is to have a provision for such people in the army. It can be a huge advantage to have people with certifications in mountaineering etc. in the armed forces. And that’s when parents would also encourage their children to get involved in adventure sports because there will be an assurance of a job.
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