In a remarkable feat challenging stereotypes surrounding the digital age, 10-year-old Ahona Rida Zahra from Chattogram, Bangladesh, has successfully trekked to the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) in the Himalayas, reaching an elevation of 4,130 meters last week.
Ahona, a fifth grader at Sunshine Grammar School in Chattogram, displayed exceptional determination and resilience throughout the challenging trek, covering 60 kilometers in seven days alongside her father, Aniket Chowdhury, an architect. The duo was part of an eleven-member team organized by Rope 4, a prominent Dhaka-based mountaineering platform.
The Annapurna Base Camp, nestled in the heart of the Annapurna mountain range, is renowned for its rigorous trekking routes, unpredictable weather conditions, high altitudes, and demanding physical challenges. Ahona’s accomplishment at such a young age is considered unprecedented in Bangladesh by Mohammad Mohiuddin, the founder of Rope 4.
Ahona expressed her awe at the snowy mountains surrounding the ABC, stating, “The snowy mountains surrounding me were so beautiful.” She also shared her aspirations to explore even higher altitudes, including the Kanchenjunga Base Camp and Everest Base Camp.
The journey was not just a personal triumph for Ahona but also a testament to the spirit of adventure and resilience instilled in her by her father and the entire team. The group departed for Kathmandu on October 30 and returned home on Thursday.
Ahona’s achievement is a beacon of inspiration, challenging perceptions about the capabilities of young adventurers. Her story reflects the importance of fostering a love for adventure and the outdoors among the youth, encouraging them to embrace physical challenges beyond the confines of screens
