Breaking yet another 'gender' barrier, a woman Monday started scaling Agasthyarkoodam -- the second highest peak of Kerala-- where the fair sex had been barred owing to an age-old tribal custom.
K Dhanya Sanal, armed with a recent high court order which lifted the 'unofficial' ban on entry of women to the peak, began the arduous journey along with male trekkers through the traditional forest path from Bonacaud, located about 50 kms from here.
A spokesperson of the Defence Ministry here said Dhanya was the only woman in the first batch of 100 trekkers who set out to scale the 1,868-metre lofty peak, known for its panoramic beauty and unique biodiversity.
Clad in jeans and shirt and carrying a travel bag, Dhanya seemed content and confident as she manoeuvred her way