Meet Kuntal Joisher, the vegan mountain champ

How does a seasoned mountaineer who's scaled Mount Everest stay vegan? Kuntal Joisher reveals all at a weekend breakfast session

Kuntal Joisher

Imagine you're at the base camp of snow-capped Mount Everest, in below zero degree temperatures but you can't have tea to warm up because you are vegan (do not eat or use animal products). This may be one of the challenges that city-based mountaineer Kuntal Joisher, 34, a vegan for 14 years, faced in over 20 Himalayan climbing expeditions.

If you're keen to know more about his journey, attend the second edition of Breakfast With Champions, a monthly meet organised by Let's Be Outdoorsy. "Those who have achieved great outdoor feats like climbing Everest or completing a triathlon can inspire us to go out, get fit, pursue an outdoor activity and build a sporting nation," says founder
Diipti Jhangiani.

In the two-hour session, Joisher will chat about his recent conquests, which includes  summitting Everest, a film on his mountaineering journey, and what it's like to be a vegan mountaineer.

"I became a vegan to take a stand for animal rights. My diet has never been an issue," says Joisher. However, he is yet to find vegan travel equipment. "Once I'm beyond Camp Two on Everest, I wear a Himalayan suit, a critical piece of gear made of down feathers. I haven't been able to find a suitable vegan or synthetic version. I've even toyed with the idea of building one myself," says Joisher.

The session will also include a vegan breakfast spread.

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