Breaking barriers and conquering new heights, Karishma Verlekar, a young Goan professional and mother of two, has made mountaineering history for a Goan female. In a remarkable feat of courage and determination, Karishma has become the first Goan female to conquer the daunting 6476-meter Mt. Mera Peak in Nepal, on a solo expedition that defied all odds. “I feel an immense sense of pride and satisfaction at this achievement. It is something that I have never done before alone. Personally, attempting and succeeding at something as difficult as Mera Peak alone fills me with confidence and pride,” said Karishma. Hailing from Margao, Karishma's conquest of Mt. Mera Peak is a testament to her unwavering spirit and resilience. Amidst the rugged terrain of the Makalu Baruntse National Park, she embarked on a two-week solo expedition, accompanied only by her Sherpa guide, Mr. Lakpa, himself a seasoned mountaineer with multiple Everest summits to his name. Mt. Mera Peak, in the Himalayas, presents a formidable challenge to even the most seasoned climbers. Situated in the heart of Nepal, it surpasses many renowned peaks across continents in terms of altitude. “I have done many difficult and high-altitude treks over the last 8 years. My last highest one was Mount Kilimanjaro, being the tallest peak in the Continent of Africa, which stands at 5895 meters above sea level. I wanted to break the 6000 meters barrier, as a personal ambition for a long time, so by summiting Mera Peak I did it,” said Karishma. For Karishma, the decision to pursue a solo expedition came after unforeseen circumstances led to the withdrawal of her expedition companions. Undeterred by the inherent risks of solitude and high-altitude sickness, she pressed forward with the unwavering support of her husband, Gautam Verlekar, a fellow mountaineer, and the backing of the Goa Alpine Club. “There was a lot of preparation and training. I trained for the past 3 months by running, weight training, interval training and of course some disciplined diet which helped me to achieve my target,” she says. Karishma's journey began in the quaint village of Ramechhap,.