There are some roads that occupy you, and then there are others that transform you. It was both for eighteen -year -old Mehreen. Not only did Mladá Mehreen traveled across the Spit Valley in dead winter, but also carved her name into the mountains and became the youngest woman who had ever passed through a treacherous winter circuit Spiti.
Mehreen’s Drive, now in India Book of Records, is the story of dreams that rooted soon in childhood. It all started in Velké Noida, where Mehreen and her father raised their maruti Suzuki Jimny – her 18th birthday gift – unlike others.
The start of their journey was the suitcase, Himachal Pradesh, where the team of mountain goats (company for expedition) took place for driving throughout life – for a week with narrow roads Spiti. Mehreen, supported by Suraj Tayal and Shashwat Gupta, co -founders of the Mountain Goat Team team, was ready to try their limits and maybe find out how far he could really go.
The mountains always called
Mehreen love for travel was deployed soon. “My love for traveling and driving comes from childhood memories,” she told India in an exclusive interview today.
“We used to make family trips to the mountains and my father always drove. I visited Spit in the summer three times before I was a child.”
Soon after her license, her father hovered the idea of a ride on the road. Despite the idea of a daunting task, Mehreen did not suffer. She responded to her father with a significant yes and left.
This time he was different. The challenge was not just about covering the distance-it was the point at temperatures below zero, on frozen roads, in one of the harshest terrains in India. Until this journey Mehreen never went in the mountains. But with the automatic and calm voice of her father, who led her with every switch and slope, jumped.
“The journey from the suitcase to Rampur was easy,” she said. “The ramps to Kaza were also manageable, but things were complicated after NAKO,” Mehreen revealed.
The scenery of Kaza was the first reward for Mehreen. When they woke up after a good night’s sleep, it was snowing. Temperatures were freezing, but as they say, there are few more beautiful things in the world than snow caries.
The real test began from caries. The journey to Hikki and Komic has turned into a battle with a snowstorm. Most test units often bring the greatest rewards. For Mehreen it was her first sight of the Himalayan Ibex, a rare animal, which is also a pride in spiti.
“The weather was brutal, but it was worth it. In Hikki, I saw the Ibex herd of climbing impossible slopes. They inspired me. I was sad that I couldn’t see a snow leopard – but Ibexes gave me all motivation.”
Training for Dakar?
The journey was not just a personal milestone. It was also a gravel test and raw skills. SHASHWAT GUPTA, organizer of trips and co -founder Mountain Goat, was blown off by Mehreen.
“It comes from a strong bottom,” he said. “Her dad, Dharam Paaji, is an excellent driver. He was in our backup team during our kerala at Umling La Record Drive. He said to me,” I buy my daughter Jimny for her 18th birthday – I want it to be the youngest to make the winter expedition Spiti. “”
And she did.
When she talked to India today, Mehreen talked about her goals, even though she was not planted in stone. She said that Spiti’s trip stimulated her love for riding and her wandering on incredible scenery. She hoped that one day was going to the Dakar Rally, one of the most popular off -road expeditions in the world.
Not only did she dream of participating in it, but she also wanted to become the first Indian woman to win her.
But can it? Shashwat of Mountain Goat was quite sure about it. In fact, Shashwat gave an incredible description of her skills, which may have been too shy to admit.
“I absolutely think Dakar Rally can do,” Shashwat said. “In Yalori there was a black ice downhill about 3-4 km. Most drivers parked and left their cars. Mehreen drove all the way down.
This section – from Kalpa to Manali through a treacherous Jalleri Pass – was probably the most difficult part of the road. With the fade of light and roads covered in invisible ice leaves, it has become a battle of nerves.
“My mom called us and begged us to stop,” Mehreen said. “But my dad and I invented our mind – either we get to Manali, or we’re found on the edge of the mountain.”
It was the experience of her father, paired with the growing confidence of Mehreen, which saw them. She managed the art driving art in low -range gears and carefully controlled Jimny without relying on the brakes. That night, when she finally arrived at Manali and lay down, she said it was the deepest sleep she had ever had.
Record circuit breaker, trailblazer
Mehreen became the youngest woman who passed through the Spiti circuit in winter – success has now officially recognized India Book of Records. And it did without snow chains, in conditions most of the seasoned drivers would hesitate to face.
Along the way, she gathered memories as trophies: Hikki postcards, the highest mail in the world; Photographs in a comic, the highest motor village; And blessings in an ancient key monastery. But it wasn’t just landmarks. That was what the journey had taught her.
Shashwat sees something special in Mehreen – not just talent but purpose.
“Her father wants her to be brought up as a warrior,” he said. “Not someone who stays at home and cooks. And you know what? The child learns what the father teaches. He builds a pioneer.”
The Mehreen journey is more than just a story about high passages and frozen roads. It is a story of courage, mentoring and vision. The reminder that sometimes it’s just one brave step – and a stable hand on the steering wheel – start rewriting what is possible.
Published:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
14 April 2025
