At 74, Wayanad’s T.J. Mars Conquers Mount Elbrus, Hoists the Tricolour on Europe’s Highest Peak
Keralam’s 74-year-old T.J. Mars, a resident of Wayanad, successfully climbed Russia’s 5,642-metre-high Mount Elbrus. Read about his mountaineering journey and the story behind this remarkable achievement
Keralam: Age is often seen as a limitation, but 74-year-old T.J. Mars from Wayanad, Kerala, has challenged that perception with an extraordinary achievement. Mars has successfully climbed Mount Elbrus, located in Russia’s Caucasus mountain range. At 5,642 metres, the peak is considered the highest mountain in Europe.
Mars achieved this feat on August 15, 2026, India’s Independence Day. He was part of a five-member mountaineering team from Keralam. During the eight-day expedition, the team faced extremely challenging weather conditions and difficulties associated with high altitude.
A Major Achievement at the Age of 74
When T.J. Mars stepped onto the summit of Mount Elbrus, he was 74 years, 6 months and 26 days old. According to members associated with the expedition, based on records available online, he is believed to be the oldest Indian mountaineer to have reached Mount Elbrus. However, this claim has not been presented as an officially certified world record by any recognised world record organisation.
For Mars, this is more than just an achievement in mountaineering. It is another milestone in his long-standing passion for mountains. Even after retirement, he has continued to remain active and pursue his love for mountaineering.
Eight-Day Mount Elbrus Expedition
Mars completed the expedition along with four other mountaineers from Kerala. The team included S. Seshadri, M.P. Muralidharan, G.J. Aghina Surya and P. Athif. Seshadri led the expedition, while Aghina Surya was the team’s only woman member and served as co-leader.
The mountaineers in the team came from different districts of Keralam. Mars, Seshadri and Muralidharan are from Wayanad, while Aghina Surya is from Kozhikode and Athif is from Malappuram.
Icy Winds Reached 65 Kmph
Climbing Mount Elbrus is considered a demanding challenge. During the expedition, the team had to deal with strong, freezing winds. According to reports, wind speeds reached around 65 kilometres per hour during the final section of the climb near the summit.
One of the most difficult stages came after the saddle point, when the team had to undertake the final ascent and then make the descent. High altitude, snow and powerful winds tested the mountaineers’ endurance. Despite these challenges, the team remained determined and successfully reached its target.
According to another Kerala report, temperatures during the expedition dropped to around minus 20 degrees Celsius. To avoid the strong icy winds during the daytime, the team began its climb at around 2 a.m., making its way through the snow-covered route.
His Connection With the Mountains Began in Childhood
T.J. Mars’ association with mountaineering did not begin suddenly. His connection with the mountains dates back to his school days. While studying at St. Mary’s UP School in Thariyode, he climbed the Banasura Hills in Wayanad. It was here that his interest in trekking and exploring the mountains began to grow.
Since then, he has travelled through several mountainous regions in India and abroad. For Mars, mountaineering is not merely a physical challenge; it is also a way to connect with nature and push his own limits.
According to Mars, climbing mountains and looking down at the world from great heights gives him a unique sense of satisfaction. He hopes to undertake another major trek or mountaineering expedition in the future, although such an attempt would require careful planning and preparation.
He Has Already Climbed Mount Kilimanjaro
Before Mount Elbrus, Mars had already taken part in several challenging expeditions. He has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, which stands at approximately 5,895 metres.
In September 2025, he completed the Kilimanjaro expedition along with 66-year-old M.P. Muralidharan.
The two have also completed the Everest Base Camp trek together. Following the Elbrus expedition, Mars and his teammates have moved another step closer to the challenge of completing the Seven Summits, the highest mountains on each of the world’s seven continents.
Mars, Muralidharan and Athif have now completed two of the peaks included in the Seven Summits challenge.
Passion Continues After Retirement From KSRTC
T.J. Mars was formerly an employee of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). After retirement, he runs a business in Kavumandam in Wayanad.
Alongside his everyday life and business responsibilities, he has continued to keep his passion for mountaineering alive.
His story stands out because he did not consider retirement to be the end of an active life. Instead, he continued to set new goals and prepare himself to achieve them.
Age Is Not the Limit When Passion Leads the Way
Reaching the summit of Mount Elbrus at the age of 74 is certainly no ordinary achievement. It requires physical fitness, mental strength, discipline, training and the ability to cope with unpredictable mountain weather.
Mars’ achievement sends a powerful message that age does not always have to be a barrier to setting new goals. For him, mountains are not simply places to climb; they are a way to challenge himself and experience nature from a different perspective.
Reaching the summit of Mount Elbrus on August 15, India’s Independence Day, made the expedition even more memorable. Standing at an altitude of 5,642 metres on Independence Day, Mars added another remarkable chapter to his long mountaineering journey.