From hairstyling to the heights of Mount Everest, Sri Lankan mountaineer Johann Peries inspires young minds with a story of ambition, sacrifice and the courage to begin again.
Can you imagine a hairdresser climbing mountains, braving freezing temperatures, battling exhaustion and venturing into some of the world’s most inhospitable environments? For Sri Lankan mountaineer Johann Peries, this unusual combination is a testament to the power of passion and determination.
On 26 October 2026, the High Commission of Sri Lanka in India hosted an inspiring lecture by Peries, who shared his extraordinary journey with students. The address was followed by an engaging interaction, during which students raised intriguing questions about his adventures, challenges and motivations.
A professional hairstylist and entrepreneur with interests in dancing and acting, Peries has demonstrated that professional commitments need not limit one’s ambitions. His achievement of becoming the first Sri Lankan man to summit Mount Everest in 2018 stands as a defining milestone in his remarkable journey.
“I think it’s very important for us to chase after our passions and our dreams when we actually even choose our careers,” he told the students.
When Life Offers a Second Chance
Peries’ passion for adventure began in childhood, inspired by his father, who introduced him to outdoor activities and mountain climbing. What started with exploring Sri Lanka’s mountains gradually developed into an ambition to venture beyond the island.
His journey, however, was shaped by experiences that brought him perilously close to death. In 1997, a devastating road accident left him with severe head and facial injuries. Doctors reportedly gave him just 24 hours to live. Extensive reconstructive surgery followed, transforming his outlook on life.
“It gave me a second chance,” he recalled.
In 2005, he was caught in Mumbai’s catastrophic floods, spending the night clinging to a bridge with water reaching his neck as he fought the powerful current.
Another life-threatening ordeal occurred in 2012 during an expedition to Island Peak in Nepal. A storm turned the final seven-hour ascent into an ordeal lasting approximately 23 hours. With their water supplies exhausted and their bodies severely dehydrated, the climbers struggled to continue.
At one point, Peries was so exhausted that he asked his companions to leave him behind. Fortunately, three rescuers located the stranded climbers and brought them to safety.
These experiences strengthened his resolve while teaching him that courage must be accompanied by judgement and respect for life’s fragility.
The 400 Metres That Changed Everything
One of the most compelling moments of his lecture was his account of his first Everest attempt in 2016. Peries was part of the pioneering Sri Lankan expedition that included Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala, who became the first Sri Lankan to summit Everest that year.
After weeks of arduous climbing, Peries came within approximately 400 metres of the summit when an oxygen supply problem forced him to reconsider continuing. His replacement cylinder did not contain enough oxygen for a safe ascent and descent.
“I don’t care even if I die, because I have prepared myself,” he recalled thinking initially.
His Sherpa guide pleaded with him to turn back. After pausing to collect his thoughts, Peries made the difficult decision to retreat.
“So I decided, yes, life is more important, and I will come back.”
The decision was devastating. Initially, he told the press that he would never return to Everest. But six months later, the unfinished ambition began to weigh on him.
“I thought, I can’t live with this. I will live with regret for the rest of my life. And I decided, no, I’m going back.”
Two years of physical training, mental preparation and financial planning followed. On 22 May 2018, Peries returned to Everest and reached the summit, becoming the first Sri Lankan man to achieve the feat.
Unfurling the Sri Lankan flag at the highest point on Earth was a moment of immense personal and national pride. Yet, his achievement was about more than reaching the summit; it was about overcoming disappointment and finding the courage to try again.
Beyond Everest: The Seven Summits
Having fulfilled his Everest dream, Peries turned towards another formidable challenge: the Seven Summits, comprising the highest mountains on each of the world’s seven continents.
The challenge includes Kilimanjaro in Africa, Everest in Asia, Elbrus in Europe, Kosciuszko in Australia, Vinson Massif in Antarctica, Aconcagua in South America and Denali in North America.
Each presents distinct difficulties, from altitude and extreme weather to logistical challenges and the physical demands of carrying equipment. Peries particularly highlighted Denali, where climbers must transport substantial supplies themselves, often pulling heavy sledges across snow and ice.
His Antarctic expedition offered an unforgettable experience. The vast landscape, dominated by white snow and blue ice, appeared almost otherworldly.
“It felt like I was on another planet,” he remarked.
His successful ascent of Mount Vinson in January 2025 marked another significant milestone in his mountaineering journey.
Discipline, Sacrifice and Focus
Despite his demanding expeditions, Peries continues to work full-time as a hairstylist. His training routine begins at 4.30 a.m., followed by work and additional exercise in the evening.
He explained that success depends not merely on managing time but on making deliberate choices. Before expeditions, he avoids social engagements and maintains a rigorous training schedule, even during festive periods.
“It is not about finding time, it is about making time.”
He also stressed the importance of preparation, acquiring knowledge, developing skills and confronting fears gradually. Recalling his initial apprehension about crossing ladders over deep crevasses, he explained how practice eventually transformed fear into confidence.
For students navigating examinations, career choices and personal ambitions, his message was clear: commitment requires sacrifice, and excuses rarely move anyone closer to a goal.
Finding Your Own Mountains
The lecture concluded with a powerful reflection on the true meaning of achievement. Invoking the philosophy associated with Everest pioneer Sir Edmund Hillary, Peries reminded the audience that mountaineering is ultimately a journey of self-discovery.
“We can’t conquer nature. We can’t conquer things around us, but what we can do is conquer ourselves.”
The subsequent interaction with students extended this message beyond the lecture hall, encouraging young people to reflect on their own aspirations and the challenges they may need to overcome.
Peries left them with a final exhortation:
“Find your own mountains in life as you move forward.”
His journey offers a compelling lesson: success is not always about reaching the summit on the first attempt. Sometimes, it is about recognising when to turn back, learning from adversity and returning with renewed determination. The greatest mountain, after all, may be the one within ourselves.
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