My mountaineering journey began later than most, but it’s never too late to chase your dreams: Rina Charaniya aka Rii

MUMBAI :Singer and mountaineer Rina Charaniya aka Rii, who has sung songs like Phir Mulaqat, Aadha Chaand, Baatein Uski started her mountaineer journey with the Everest Base Camp hike, then Kilimanjaro, Mount Elbrus, Puncak Jaya, and her recent summit was Carstensz Pyramid. She said, “My love for mountains stems from my deep appreciation for solitude. Walking alone through empty fields or climbing up hills fills me with courage, reminding me how small I am in this vast world and the importance of staying grounded.”  

“My mountaineering journey began later than most, but as they say, it’s never too late to chase your dreams. Adventure films have always inspired me, and it was Nimsdai’s 14 Peaks that motivated me to take on this challenge and push my limits. Though it’s been overwhelming to complete these climbs in such a short time, I am incredibly grateful for the valuable lessons learned along the way. On to the next,” she added.  

Though her family doesn’t understand much about mountaineering, she has their full support. “I’ve been incredibly fortunate to receive unwavering support from my family, even though no one in my family history has ever ventured into mountaineering. My parents don’t fully understand the depths of what I do—they just see it as me going somewhere and returning safely. But the love and faith they have in me mean the world,” she said.  

“My husband, Florian Hurel, however, is my greatest supporter. Without him by my side, I wouldn’t be able to chase these wild dreams. I know it’s not easy for him to let me embark on such extreme adventures, but his constant encouragement makes it possible. My in-laws are equally amazing, always uplifting and supportive. I truly couldn’t have asked for a better family, and I’m forever grateful for their love and belief in me,” she added.  

What next? “For the next few months, I’m focusing on healing my ankles and managing my back pain while also building up my endurance. Once I’ve regained strength, my next challenge will likely be climbing Aconcagua in Argentina, which stands at 6,961 meters and is part of my Seven Summits project,” Rii ended.