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In a first, Michigan couple hoist Sikh Flag atop Mount Everest
The couple hoisted the Nishan Sahib, the flag of the Sikh community, at the summit, marking the first time the flag has been placed on Mount Everest.
Harpreet and Navneet Cheema / Image- Instagram (@14peaksexpedition)
Harpreet and Navneet Cheema, a Sikh American couple from Ann Arbor, Michigan, have made history as the first married couple from the state and the first Sikh couple to successfully reach the summit of Mount Everest.
The Cheemas, avid mountaineers since 2019, have successfully climbed five of the seven summits, including Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Denali. Their expedition to Mount Everest in 2024 was the culmination of years of preparation and determination. "I think we are the eighth couple in the world to have done this," Navneet told ClickOnDetroit.
Cultural Significance
The Cheemas' achievement is not only a personal triumph but also a cultural milestone. They hoisted the Nishan Sahib, the flag of the Sikh community, at the summit, marking the first time the flag has been placed on Mount Everest.
Harpreet emphasized the role of faith in their journey, saying, “There’s lots that faith can do to help you climb the mountain, and we knew we were carrying it with us, and it will take us to the top and bring us safely down.”
Reflecting on the legacy of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, Navneet added, "For as much as He traveled, all he kept saying was, ‘Do good, be good.’"
A grueling journey to the top
The couple spent 43 days navigating the treacherous terrain of Mount Everest. At certain points, the path narrowed to just 18 inches, with steep drops on either side. Harpreet described these stretches as "the ridgeline, and it falls miles down."
During their climb, they encountered the grim realities of mountaineering. Near the summit, they passed the body of a climber from Kenya who had succumbed to the extreme conditions. Harpreet recounted, “I was shivering because I saw his dead body, and it was clipped onto the rope that we were on, and we had to bypass.”
Despite these challenges, the couple remained focused. "It’s a narrow walkway, and if you start focusing on anything else, your foot slips, you’ll take everyone else, and then it’s a full rescue attempt at 8,800 meters," Navneet explained.
The couple celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary during their expedition. They credit mountaineering with strengthening their marriage. "I feel like you have to decide what’s important, and if it is, then you have to have an honest dialogue, and once you’ve talked, you have to let it go," Navneet said.
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