Pune: In a remarkable achievement, 17-year-old climber Devashree Kailas Chile from Shivdurga Mitra scaled the challenging 300-foot-high Nagphani (Duke’s Nose) cliff near Kurwande, Lonavala. The feat has garnered widespread appreciation.
Duke’s Nose is known as a popular destination for adventure camps and is regarded as one of the most difficult climbs in Maharashtra due to its steep and rugged terrain. Devashree chose to begin the New Year with this challenging mission and successfully completed the climb.
A 12th-grade student at D.P. Mehta Junior College, Devashree has been training in rock climbing for the past four years at the Shivdurga Mitra climbing wall.
She has honed her skills under the guidance of experienced trainers, including Sachin Gaikwad, Rohit Vartak, Yogesh Umbre, Sunil Gaikwad, and Omkar Padwal.
Though Devashree has participated in numerous artificial climbing competitions, this climb marked her first experience in multi-pitch climbing.
The mission was supported by a dedicated team comprising Aditya Pilane, Ayush Vartak, Karan Ware, Ayush Pawar, Siddhesh Nisal, Shruti Shinde, Avanti Vartak, and Kavita Pilane, who ensured the climb's smooth execution.
Devashree’s accomplishment has brought pride to her trainers and supporters, and it is seen as an inspiration for aspiring climbers in the state.