Mountaineer Rajeev Saumitra after scaling Mount Everest on May 22 this year

Rajeev Saumitra has set his sights high, quite high.

After climbing to the top of the world, Mt Everest (8,848m), on May 22 this year, the Darbhanga boy wants to scale all the highest peaks in the seven different continents. In fact, he has just conquered Europe’s highest peak, Mt Elbrus (5,642m), in Russia on August 7 with his friend Ameet Singh. Saumitra is the first from the state to scale both Mt Everest and Mt Elbrus.

Saumitra, who runs a coaching institute in New Delhi, said: “My aim is to scale the highest peaks in all seven continents, including the North Pole and South Pole.” He next plans to conquer Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. “After scaling the two peaks, my confidence level has gone up,” Saumitra added.

Saumitra and Ameet scaled Mt Elbrus in four days — they left for the peak on August 3 and reached the summit on August 7.

Moreover, the two enthusiasts — both in their early thirties — said they would focus on not just promoting mountaineering as a preferred hobby sport in India but also help raise awareness, organise and fund for the adventures.

“What is important to understand that mountaineering is not just a sport for youth but immensely help our children evolve into far better, more aware and healthier human beings,” said Ameet.

Sharing his experience about the Mt Everest expedition, Saumitra said: “This year, it was my second attempt as last year too I was on the expedition but returned midway because of bad weather. To turn my dream into reality, I left for the mission after facing many hurdles on April 4, 2013. I was one of the seven-member group. The day when we scaled the Mt Everest the temperature was minus 22 degrees Celsius and a minute’s or second’s exposure could have led to frost bite,” said Saumitra.

The day when Saumitra scaled Mt Everest it was his wife Neetu’s birthday and from the highest peak, he wished his wife.