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On the 15th of June a climbing team, which included disabled athletes, has under leadership of Mathew Shparo climbed the highest peak of North America – Mt. McKinley (6194 m). The expedition was equipped with BASK company, which production met the challenge spectacularly.
Here is how Maxim Bogatyrev, one of the members, describes the events at Alaska:
“More and more people become attracted with mountains and charmed with their magnificence. Some are going there to have a good rest, some to find new friends and new society and some are testing themselves there”.
“We went to mountains for a feat. We wished to climb the highest point of North America. Nothing extraordinary, if one may say so, but one feature: we had two disabled persons in our team.”
“Grigory Tzarkov and Igor Ushakov, both with spinal injuries, in their civil life navigate only in a wheelchair. This time they had passed the entire 32-kms route from BC to the summit and back again by their own, pulling themselves (in special ski-chairs) by fixed ropes.”
“On evidence of Alaska rescue service, at the same period about 1500 climbers were trying to win Denali and only 400 succeeded in it. Among them were our members: O. Banar, V. Afanasiev, M. Bogatyrev, A. Gubaev, A. Agafonov, I. Ushakov, G. Tzarkov, B. Smolin, A. Soboloev, S. Gvozdev and a leader of the expedition Matthew Shparo.”
“McKinley is the northern 6000-er, which is located in the Arctic. Harsh climate even in summer, permafrost and high storms make the climb a severe trial. We have undertaken training expeditions to Mt. Elbrus (the Caucasus), Karelia and Lenin peak (7134 m, Pamirs). In general we had spent two years in selecting participants, working over proper tactic of ascending, preparing foodstuff and equipment.”
“It is patent that a quality of equipment in many respects determines success or failure of an expedition. There was no match for BASK down clothing both at Pamir (Lenin peak) and at Alaska. Khan-Tengri down jackets and down suits met the challenge of severe mountain climate and extreme frost. BASK tents protected the climbers from the elements and provided comfort for them. Most apt add-ons were climbing balaclavas and durable double gloves from BASK.“
21.08.2002
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