Mahendra Mahajan, a 46 years aged dentist who lives in Nashik, Maharashtra, managed to complete a 430-kilometre trek on his foot from Ladakh’s Lehi to Manali in HP on 12th July 22, Tuesday.
Mahendra Mahajan, a Nashik dentist, has created a new world record by completing his journey from Leh to the Manali highway. He walked his way for 4 days, 21 hours, and 18 mins and created this impressive new record by completing his foot journey.
Initially, this record was made by Sufia Khan, a woman who completed her journey from Manali to Leh in 6 days, 12 hours & 6 mins in the year 2021. She performed this trek when even the Atal tunnel was not made, and she had to climb the Rohtang Pass to make the journey 480 kilometres.
Mahendra is an ultra-cyclist, an Everest summiteer & also the 1st Indian who won a race across America & further was also praised by the Prime Minister for the same. This journey started from a high mountain in the arid Ladakh & Lahaul Spiti district of the Himalayas.
Mahajan, once speaking to PTI, mentioned, “I spent up to 18 hours walking, jogging or running every day and cut a maximum of 96 km in a single day”.
Partnered by three other team members in a car, Mahendra Mahajan normally intakes dry fruits (salted), nutritional supplements, and locally sourced food to fulfil his requirements.
He adapted himself in Leh, a place located over 10,000 feet, before finally taking his journey to Tanglangla pass, which is 17,600 feet & cam over 15,000 feet.
see also – Leh Manali Highway- All You Need to Know about Atal Tunnel
He added, “My strategy was to camp low just before a pass and undertook the climb early in the day.”
The weather condition around Leh was so hot in the day, that he had to use his wet towels, while on the other end (next afternoon), he was supposed to fight the rain & the wind chill on Morey Plains.
Normally, he used to start his day in the small hours & then end his days late at 9:00 pm. Expecting it to be his last day, he walked his way in the small hours to make sure he achieved his feet in under 5 days.
The doctor walked 4.75 lakh steps, burnt 28,000 cl, and gained around 18,147 elevations to reach his target.
The doctor was cheered by army personnel, cyclists, and locals throughout his journey from Leh to Manali on foot. He also mentioned that it wasn’t difficult for him to get permission to carry on with his journey, except that one time when he had to get through Atal Tunnel, Manali, where he required some clearances, and he lost some time.
