ALAPPUZHA: Mararikulam native Milasha Joseph (30) is on a mission to become the first Indian woman to conquer seven volcanoes on seven continents, overcoming asthma that she developed at a young age. Her message is women empowerment. Milasha has already hoisted the Indian flag at Kilimanjaro (5895 m) in Africa and Damavand (5609 m) in Iran. She is the first Malayali to climb Damavand. She will decide on her next trip once the aviation bottlenecks created by the Russia-Ukraine war are lifted.

Milasha works as a financial controller in a private company in Ireland. She was interested in adventure sports right from her school days. When asthma became a villain, she became even more determined on making her dreams come true. She ensured physical fitness by practising cardio exercises. She then teamed up with mountaineering training provider RMI Expeditions to be part of the Volcanic Seven Summits Challenge. She trained online and offline. Milasha also used to walk 10 km daily carrying a heavy backpack.

Milasha's parents are Govt ITI Principal Chokkamthayyil Joseph Mararikulam and Bibi Joseph. Brother: Mikhilesh Joseph.

Milasha conquered Kilimanjaro last November in five days. It took her four days to climb and descend Mount Damavand. Due to bad weather, she had to stop her trip 500 meters below the highest point of the mountain.