Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jan 7: Eleven-year-old Ayan Mendon from Mangaluru has once again captured international attention by successfully reaching the summit of Mount Kenya, marking another significant milestone in his extraordinary mountaineering journey. The ascent, completed on December 30, 2025, places him among the youngest climbers to conquer one of Africa’s most demanding peaks.
Rising as the second-highest mountain on the African continent, Mount Kenya is known for its steep rock faces, icy sections and rapidly shifting weather. The climb requires technical expertise, endurance and careful acclimatisation. Ayan’s achievement at such a young age has earned admiration from adventure enthusiasts and mountaineers worldwide.
Ayan’s association with the mountains began when he was just six years old. Since then, he has steadily progressed through disciplined training and guided expeditions, moving from introductory climbs to some of the world’s toughest summits. His breakthrough moment came in August 2022, when, at the age of eight, he became the youngest person to scale Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, standing 5,895 metres tall.
He continued to push boundaries the following year by summiting Mount Aconcagua in Argentina. At 6,961 metres, the peak is the tallest in the Americas and is infamous for extreme cold and fierce winds. Ayan’s successful climb at the age of nine set another world record, firmly establishing his name in global mountaineering records.
In addition to these headline-making ascents, Ayan has undertaken several high-altitude expeditions across continents. His climbs include treks to the Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal, as well as Mount Elbrus in Europe. These experiences have exposed him to diverse terrains and conditions, sharpening his technical skills and mountain awareness.
Those close to Ayan credit his success to a combination of consistent training, professional mentoring and unwavering family support. His preparation has focused on physical conditioning, altitude adaptation and safety protocols, ensuring that each expedition is approached with caution and responsibility.
Ayan Mendon’s growing list of achievements has made him a role model for young adventure seekers across India. By reaching some of the world’s most challenging peaks before entering his teenage years, he continues to bring pride to Mangaluru and Karnataka, while inspiring a new generation to pursue ambitious goals with determination and discipline.