Mountain climbing and outdoor adventure have always drawn people toward challenge, freedom, and discovery. Yet, when we talk about mountains, the stories of climbers with disabilities are still too often left out. Chandan Dhal's journey to Mera Peak with Alpine Ramble Treks is one such story.
With one arm, one trekking pole, and a strong mountain team beside him, he reached the summit of one of Nepal's most prominent 6,000-meter trekking peaks through preparation, adaptation, trust, and determination. On April 30, 2025, Chandan stood on the summit of Mera Peak at 6,476 meters, marking one of the most meaningful moments of his climbing journey with Alpine Ramble Treks.
This story is about more than summiting Mera Peak with a disability. It is about the journey and everything it took to finally get there—training, learning, discipline, falling, breathing, trusting the right people, and discovering what might be possible beyond a single summit. Most of all, it is about facing personal doubts and taking a steady step forward anyway.
Originally from Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, and currently residing near Delhi, Chandan is an electrical engineer who moved to the United States in 2014 for higher education and lived there for 10 years.
In 2012, while studying engineering in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, he met with a road accident that resulted in the amputation of his right arm. Despite everything, he developed a resilient adventurous spirit and remains as determined as ever to achieve even bigger goals.
Chandan began hiking in 2019 during his graduate studies in the US and has maintained his passion ever since. Each summit became a stepping stone to even larger and more challenging mountains. He gained self-assurance in his capabilities with each trial, realizing that the seemingly impossible can often become feasible with sincere effort. He found himself drawn to the physical challenge, the quiet focus, and the confidence that comes from reaching one summit after another.
His first summit was Saddle Mountain at 2,634 feet. While not a Himalayan giant, it marked the beginning of his relationship with the outdoors and sparked a true passion for hiking. That first summit gave him a sense of achievement and opened the door to bigger goals. Following this, he completed the Bay Area Six Peaks Challenge and several Sierra mountain challenges in California.
Over the last few years, his mountain experience has grown steadily. He completed the Everest Base Camp Trek in 2024, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in 2025, and reached the summit of Mera Peak in 2026. Mera Peak was a logical next step rather than a sudden leap, introducing him to snow, alpine conditions, and basic rope sections over 6,000 meters.
After collecting a fair share of trekking experiences in diverse mountain landscapes worldwide, deciding on the next step was easy. Everest Base Camp and Mount Kilimanjaro were significant achievements, but he sought a step into alpine climbing above 6,000 meters in true Himalayan conditions.
Located in the Hinku Valley south of Mount Everest, Mera Peak (6,476 m) is a popular high-altitude climbing mountain. It is one of the few peaks that is trekkable, requires minimal technical knowledge, and serves as a good starting point for mountaineering in the Himalayas. For many climbers, Mera Peak is often seen as a bridge between high-altitude trekking and beginner alpine climbing in Nepal.
Summiting Mera Peak allowed Chandan to gain experience without jumping straight into highly technical climbs. The challenge was amplified as he climbed with one arm, giving him a chance to understand how his body responds to snow travel, heavy boots, long summit hours, and high-altitude rope sections.
Climbing a 6,000+ meter peak is demanding. It requires dealing with thinner air, colder conditions, long trekking days, and cumulative fatigue. Chandan's preparation focused on endurance, leg strength, breathing, and the ability to keep moving under pressure.
Even before arriving in Nepal, he trained with long-distance running, hill sprints, weighted squats, and kettlebell presses. The goal was to prepare his legs for uphill movement, his lungs for lower oxygen levels, and his body for carrying a backpack over long distances. With 80 kilometers of running completed, plus an additional 16 kilometers right before the summit push, he was ready to prove himself.
The most remarkable part of Chandan's journey is that he reached the Mera Peak summit without any special arrangements. He climbed with one arm and used only a single hiking pole throughout the journey.
This climb was not simple. Climbing with one arm alters many subtle aspects of mountaineering. Balancing backpack weight, moving on snow, using a single pole, and navigating rope sections all demand heightened physical and spatial awareness. At 6,000 meters, these small changes make a massive difference.
His success demonstrates that inclusive adventure doesn't always necessitate major modifications. Often, it begins with listening, understanding a person's capabilities, and providing the right support when the trail demands it.
Challenges on Mera Peak came in many forms, from snow-covered trails to the grueling summit night. Chandan describes the narrow snowy sections between Thuli Kharka and Kothe as some of the hardest moments, where balance and careful movement were critical. Guidance from Sagar Gurung, the Alpine Ramble team guide, helped him move through these sections confidently.
The summit night, starting around 1 AM with little sleep, heavy boots, tired legs, and poor visibility, was another major hurdle. The high altitude slowed every step, forcing him to push himself mentally to keep moving.
A critical moment occurred during the rope section near the summit. Using a rope and ascending device for the first time in alpine conditions, he slipped and fell. However, Mera Peak Sh
The guide and support team played a significant role throughout the journey. Their guidance went beyond showing the route; they actively helped Chandan feel confident in snowy terrain, difficult weather, and unfamiliar climbing sections.
Sagar Gurung helped him navigate snow-covered trails and steep descents. With a decade of experience, Sagar supported Chandan when he felt nervous, reminding him to slow down and breathe.
Bhakta Tamang, a porter, was another key figure. He carried Chandan's summit gear to High Camp and supported the team during the descent. Chandan fondly remembers Bhakta advising him not to fear the snow. Their encouragement, patience, and hands-on support made the climb manageable, even during the toughest moments.
For Alpine Ramble Treks, this is what good mountain support means. It is not only about reaching the destination but also about making sure the climber feels heard, safe, and supported throughout the journey.
Chandan's summit of Mera Peak sends a powerful message: climbing a mountain with a disability is not impossible. While his personal journey may not be suitable for everyone—as each person has unique needs, abilities, and comfort levels—it shows that the door is open for those willing to step out of their comfort zone. With good preparation, a positive mindset, and a strong support team, high-altitude adventure is possible.
For Chandan, climbing meant continuously adapting—maintaining balance, using one pole, and fighting fatigue. His story proves that inclusivity is growing in the adventure community, with companies like Alpine Ramble actively providing platforms for disabled adventurers.
It also reminds future trekkers and climbers that the first step does not have to be a summit. Sometimes it begins with a question, a conversation, and an honest discussion about what may be possible with the right preparation and guidance.
The summit of Mera Peak was just the beginning. Chandan's next goal is to adapt and excel at using his Jumar (ascending device). He notes that descending on steeper rope sections requires more practice and a safer method tailored to his body.
With these skills in development, he is enthusiastic about training for more technical climbs, setting his sights on Island Peak next. The Mera Peak summit was more than just a climb; it provided experience, confidence, and a clear direction for his future mountaineering endeavors.
Sometimes achievement is more than just reaching the destination or conquering a peak. So similarly, reaching the 6,476 meters was truly never about reaching the top for Chandan; it was more about preparation, trust, adaptation, and the courage to take on any challenge that came in the way. With one arm and one hiking pole, sheer determination, and a good support team beside him he has shown achieving a seemingly impossible goal is actually very possible.
His climbing story is a true reminder to everyone with an adventurous soul: despite disabilities, mountains can be a very open place for everyone. It reminds us that everyone comes from a different background, has a different story, has different strengths, and has different needs. And for Alpine Rambe, being able to be a part of this journey as a support team providing patient guidance, honest communication, careful planning, and belief in the person behind the goal was a meaningful highlight.
The story of Chandan does not end with the summit of Mera Peak; in fact, it opens the door for more adventures in the future. And for anyone who may be wondering if the high-altitude journey is possible for them, then his journey showcases good insight and portrays a powerful message: that with good preparation, a positive mindset, the right planning, and the right support team, you can turn your dream into a reality. You just need to take the first step!
