AHMEDABAD: It was not an easy journey for a group of 23 from Gujarat — consisting of 17 doctors — as they began their ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro , Africa’s tallest mountain, at 5,895 metres (19,341 feet) above sea level, this October. Seven members of the group were trying something of this scale for the first time. However, against the success rate of about 60%, 20 members managed to reach the top of the mountain in Tanzania This was one of the largest groups from Gujarat and perhaps the first such group of doctors that got together for climbing one of the ‘7 Summits’ — the seven highest peaks in seven continents.20 members managed to reach the top of the mountain in Tanzania.Dr Hemant Leuva, professor of general surgery at VS Hospital, was the group leader who initiated the climb as part of his voluntary group Mountain Movers’ activity. The group started the climb on October 6 and reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point, on October 13.“Our group has conducted several trials over the past five years including in Uttarakhand and Leh in India and in Nepal and Bhutan,” said Dr Leuva. “We set our eyes on Mount Kilimanjaro earlier this year and started preparations when we got good group strength.”Dr Prakash Darji, 49, an Ahmedabad nephrologist who was part of the group, said that it took over three months’ preparation to get in shape for the climb. “I practised climbing stairs with a heavy backpack,” he said. “The trek was surely exhausting but the payoff was great. We battled sub-zero temperatures and undertook a steep ascent to reach the mouth of the crater.”For Dr Sudhendu Patel, 54, an Ahmedabad physician, his experience of half-marathons came handy when traversing the mountain paths.“The last day’s ascent starts in the night and thus I got to see one of the most beautiful sunrises ever,” he said. Did being a doctor help in the climb? Patel said that the profession helped understand one’s body better. “It was the reason why many of us could reach the top,” he said.For Dr Surbhi Leuva, CMO, Gujarat Vidyapeeth, it was her second ascent of the mountain in two years. “At the end of the day, your body may be tired and may refuse to budge but it’s your mind that sees the summit,” she said. “Mountaineering is all about testing your limits and expanding it, one step at a time.”The group consisted of doctors from Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Nadiad and Surat apart from Ahmedabad. Hemant Leuva said that the group was on the same wavelength that helped achieve synergy and better coordination. “We are surely inspired by the success and we have already set our eyes on Australia or Europe for the next adventure,” he said.

Stay updated with all the Ahmedabad Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.