Kochi: A five-member team of alpinists from Kerala summited Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe and one of the Seven Summits, on August 15, 2026, coinciding with India's 80th Independence Day.
The team comprised Seshadri S (35), Marce TJ (74), Muraleedharan MP (66), Agina Surya GJ and Athif P. The eight-day expedition was led by Seshadri, with Agina, the only female member in the team, serving as co-lead.
The highlight of the expedition was the achievement of Marce TJ, who summited Mount Elbrus at the age of 74 years, six months and 26 days. Based on records available to the team online, he is believed to be the oldest Indian to climb the peak, surpassing the previously reported record of 59 years.
Along with Marce, 66-year-old Muraleedharan MP also made the expedition special as a senior mountaineer. Both Marce and Muraleedharan had previously climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak.
Three members complete two of the seven summits
With the ascent of Elbrus, Marce, Muraleedharan and Athif completed two of the Seven Summits, having previously summited Mount Kilimanjaro.
Mount Elbrus, which rises to 5,642 metres (18,510 feet) above sea level in the Caucasus mountain range of Russia, is widely recognised as the highest mountain in Europe. It is also one of the Seven Summits and a popular destination for mountaineering and ski mountaineering.
65 km/h winds challenge summit push
The summit attempt was conducted in challenging weather conditions, with cold winds reaching approximately 65 km/h. The strongest winds were encountered after the saddle point during the final ascent and descent.
The team continued the expedition with their local mountain guide while closely assessing the weather and mountain conditions. After reaching the summit, all five members successfully descended and returned safely to base camp.
A new chapter for BOOTpaths
The expedition marks a significant milestone for BOOTpaths, which has expanded from a trekking initiative into mountaineering and alpinism.
For the team, the expedition was not merely about reaching the summit but also about demonstrating that, with appropriate preparation, training and teamwork, people from different age groups can take on challenging high-altitude objectives.
"The summit is only one part of the journey. The preparation, the people, the challenges, and the safe return are equally important. The journey to the mountains on foot is transformational, and we want more people to experience that transformation. From the first trail to the highest mountains, we believe everyone must trek," said Seshadri .