Meghalaya’s Rifyness Warjri Becomes State’s Youngest Woman to Scale Mount Everest

GG News Bureau
Shillong, 24th June: In a moment of immense pride for Meghalaya and the entire nation, 20-year-old NCC cadet Rifynes Warjri successfully scaled Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, on May 18 at 4:45 AM. With this feat, Rifynes has become the youngest woman from Meghalaya and the third woman from the state to summit the 8,848.86-metre-high mountain.

A BSc Botany student at St. Anthony’s College and an active cadet of the 61 Meghalaya Girls Battalion NCC, Rifynes’ achievement was celebrated with a warm welcome on Saturday at Umroi Airport by family members and fellow NCC cadets.

She is the third among five children of Shlurbor Kharmyndai and Diamondsy Warjri. Notably, she was the only participant from the entire northeastern region selected for the 38-member Everest expedition team, a testament to her extraordinary physical endurance and mental resilience.

Rifynes had previously demonstrated her mountaineering capabilities in August 2024 by scaling Mount Abi Gamin (7,355 metres) in Uttarakhand, showcasing her preparation and dedication. Her journey to Everest was anything but easy—out of 1.7 million NCC cadets, only 10 finalists were selected for the expedition, including Rifynes.

To prepare for the formidable challenge, she underwent rigorous training at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (Uttarkashi), the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (Darjeeling), and the Siachen Glacier. These intensive programmes enabled her to tackle the harsh conditions of the Himalayas.

Recalling her Everest experience, Rifynes said, “The moment I unfurled the Indian tricolour atop the world’s highest peak was the proudest moment of my life. It was not just my victory—it was a triumph for my family and my state.” She shared the intense difficulties faced during the climb, particularly at Camp 4, known as the “Death Zone,” where breathing without an oxygen mask was near impossible. She also recounted the harrowing experience of passing the bodies of four deceased climbers, underscoring the expedition’s grave risks.

Rifynes credited her parents and the NCC for their support, and expressed gratitude to Dolain Kharbih, a previous Everest summiteer, who inspired her interest in mountaineering.

With her Everest conquest, Rifynes Warjri has emerged as a symbol of courage, hope, and determination—an inspiration for adventurous youth across Meghalaya and beyond.