By SHAIL DESAI    |   Click here for the Original Article on MensXP

Life in the Death Zone (over 8000 metres on the high mountains) is full of uncertainties; then to be stranded there for an hour, on a little ledge that overlooked a drop over 2000 metres is nothing short of a cliffhanger. For, Kuntal Joisher had experienced disappointment on Mount Everest on two occasions in the past, and though people believe in the ‘third time lucky’ adage, in these desolate environs, nothing can be taken for granted.

Just past the South Summit (8749m), Joisher and 10 other potential summiteers ran into some 75-odd climbers, who were on their way down. The traverse to the summit was just suited for one-way traffic. So when Joisher and Co. ran into the descending lot, an argument ensued—both on the exposed mountain face and on the radio. The wind was picking up, and with each passing minute, a bid for the summit got more uncertain.

Joisher watched as the sun started climbing, the top of the world well within his sight. Yet, the wait was unnerving, as this was to be his last chance on Everest. As the last of the weary climbers trudged past him, Joisher snapped back to life and resumed his ascent in the hope of fulfilling a lifelong dream.

Back in the day, Joisher was known to be the laziest person in the family. Anything closely related to walking was a no-no, trekking was out of the question and the lure of the mountains was restricted to documentaries on television.

It is then quite an incredible journey for the 36-year-old from his days as a software engineer to standing on top of the Everest on May 19. And if the failed attempts on the mountain in the past couple of years is a story of perseverance, tending to the demands of mountaineering as a practicing vegan is one of pure patience.

It was during his days as a student in the United States of America in 2002, that Joisher took to veganism.