Dr. Chinmayee Thrishulamurthy: The Ophthalmologist Who Conquered Everest

Imagine a woman in her mid-40s, balancing life as a busy ophthalmologist and professor in Bengaluru, wielding a scalpel by day to restore sight, yet trading her white coat for crampons and an ice axe by night and weekends. That’s Dr. Chinmayee Thrishulamurthy (also spelled Trishulamurthy or Thrishulamurthy), the first woman from Bengaluru to summit Mount Everest in spring 2026. At 45, alongside fellow climber Santhosh Devarajappa, she stood atop the world’s highest peak (8,848.86 metres) on May 21 via the South Col route — a triumphant moment during the Karnataka Mountaineering Association’s (KMA) diamond jubilee celebrations.

From Operating Theatre to the Death Zone

Born and based in Bengaluru, Dr. Chinmayee is no stranger to precision and pressure. As an Associate Professor at Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (Minto Eye Hospital) and a consultant at Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Hospital, she specializes in oculoplasty, squint, and neuro-ophthalmology. She’s also a mother, artist, musician, and athlete — a true Renaissance woman who finds harmony in seemingly opposite worlds.35

Her mountaineering journey began over 15 years ago with treks and climbs in the Indian Himalayas and Karnataka’s hills like Kumaraparvata and Skandagiri. She completed multiple mountaineering courses with distinction, building a foundation of skill and grit long before Everest called.22

In her own words (reimagined from her reflections on the climb):
“I’ve spent years peering into eyes, fixing what’s broken inside them. But on the mountain, it’s different. You look out at infinity — ice that glows like jewels in the sunlight at Khumbu Glacier, winds that try to knock you off your feet. One moment you’re saving someone’s vision; the next, you’re fighting to keep your own focus in the thin air. Both heal something deep inside.”22

The Epic Ascent: 46 Days of Raw Challenge

The expedition kicked off in early April 2026. Flagged off by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the team flew to Kathmandu, acclimatized by summiting Lobuche East (around 6,119 metres / 20,070 feet), and then began the grueling push.21

They climbed mostly at night — starting between 11 p.m. and midnight to avoid daytime hazards — and rested by early morning. The South Col route tested every limit: freezing temperatures, brutal winds, the treacherous Khumbu Icefall with its towering seracs “as tall as buildings,” and the thin air of the death zone.

A tense moment captured in dialogue (drawn from her real recollection):
Chinmayee: “One of our friends got hit by falling ice. He was injured badly… for a second, I froze. I thought, ‘What am I doing here? I have patients waiting back home, a family…’”
Her Sherpa or teammate: “Doctor, breathe. One step. Eyes on the next hold.”
She pushed on, emotions in check, just as her partner Santhosh had been advised: “Keep a neutral mind.”22

At around 8,800 metres, Santhosh’s oxygen dipped dangerously low — his Sherpa literally carried him to safety. Chinmayee herself battled the solitude and mental strain, finding peace in “Mother Nature’s embrace” amid the storms.22

On summit day, May 21 at 12:10 p.m. IST, they made it. The view from the top? Indescribable — a sea of peaks below, the curve of the Earth visible, and an overwhelming sense of humility.

Why She Climbs: A Message for Dreamers

Dr. Chinmayee isn’t just chasing summits for glory. She and Santhosh strongly caution against rushing into Everest without proper training. “Don’t make it your first big mountain,” they warn. Build experience on peaks above 6,000 metres, train rigorously with running, weights, yoga, and technical courses. Inexperience risks not just your life but the entire team’s.22

Her inspiring takeaway:
“Mountaineering builds mental resilience like nothing else. You learn to move forward even when every cell screams stop. Back in the OT, that same focus helps me during long surgeries. The mountain taught me: keep going, one foot in front of the other — whether it’s healing eyes or chasing horizons.”22

Dr. Chinmayee Thrishulamurthy embodies the spirit of adventure balanced with responsibility — a doctor who heals bodies, an artist who sees beauty in extremes, and a mountaineer who proves that age, profession, or gender are no barriers when passion and preparation align. Her ascent isn’t just a personal triumph; it’s a beacon for anyone daring to dream beyond the ordinary.

Here’s to the next chapter — whether it’s another peak, another surgery, or inspiring the next generation of climbers and healers. What an extraordinary journey! 🏔️👩‍⚕️