August 2026 : Kodagu-based mountaineer Preeth Appayya has achieved another milestone in her ambitious quest to scale the highest peaks across all seven continents by successfully climbing Mount Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest mountain.
Preeth reached the 2,228-metre summit on Independence Day, overcoming snow, freezing temperatures and thick cloud cover during the ascent. At the summit, she unfurled both the Indian national flag and the Karnataka state flag, marking the achievement with a patriotic tribute.
Hailing from Anandapura-Amathi village in Kodagu, Preeth has set herself the goal of climbing the highest mountain on each of the world’s seven continents and displaying the Indian and Karnataka flags at every summit.
Her international mountaineering journey began with Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in 2023, followed by Mount Elbrus in Europe in 2024. With her successful ascent of Mount Kosciuszko, she has now completed three of the seven continental summits on her list.
Preeth’s connection with mountains dates back to her childhood. Growing up amid the hills of Kodagu, she frequently climbed local peaks and hills, initially viewing the activity simply as part of everyday life rather than as mountaineering or adventure.
About a decade ago, her interest expanded towards the Himalayas. She began undertaking Himalayan treks, starting with the Bhrigu Lake trek, and gradually progressed to more challenging expeditions and climbed several Himalayan peaks. On one occasion, she successfully scaled three mountains in a single year.
Her first major international expedition took her to Mount Kilimanjaro, one of Africa’s most iconic peaks. She later conquered Mount Elbrus, Europe’s highest mountain. At both summits, she proudly displayed the Indian and Karnataka flags.
The successful climb of Mount Kosciuszko represents another important step towards Preeth’s long-term goal of completing the seven continental summits. Her journey reflects years of preparation, perseverance and a deep connection with the mountains, while also highlighting the growing presence of Indian women in mountaineering.
With three continental peaks now under her belt, Preeth is preparing to take on the remaining summits as she continues pursuing her dream of completing the highest peaks across all seven continents.
