Shaikh Hassan Khan, a 36-year-old Kerala government employee, is set to embark on an expedition to climb Mount Vinson in Antarctica, making it the fifth-highest peak he will conquer. The journey, starting in early December, is part of Khan's quest to scale the highest peaks on each continent. Motivated by a commitment to raise awareness about climate change and promote world peace, Khan has previously conquered Mount Everest (Asia), Mount Denali (North America), Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa), and Mount Elbrus (Europe).
Taking a leave from his government job, Khan plans to complete the Mount Vinson expedition in 15 days. Following this achievement, he aims to climb Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, the highest peak outside the Himalayas. Khan, a native of Pandalam in Kerala, highlights the significance of the Vinson Massif, a large mountain massif in Antarctica located approximately 1,200 kilometers from the South Pole, one of the coldest places on Earth.
Looking ahead, Khan has aspirations to scale Ojes Del Salado in Chile, the highest peak in the country and the world's highest active volcano. Despite facing challenges during his climbs, such as running out of oxygen on Mount Everest last year, Khan emphasizes the support he receives from society, underscoring the community's role in overcoming obstacles during his mountaineering pursuits.