The Peak

When a student is born in Science, he wishes to do MBBS

When a Student is born in Commerce, he wishes to CA

When a runner is born, he wishes to do a Marathon

When a Mountaineer is born, he wishes to Summit the Peak - Mt. Everest!!!

Imagine a mountaineer who was so crazy to summit the peak that he cycled all his way to EBC - EVEREST BASE CAMP from Sweden. He covered a distance of 13,000 kms approx over his specially made bicycle weighing 108kgs of gear and food. 

After reaching the Base camp and Acclimatise there, made several enquiries with the Everest Expedition available there. He then decided to do Solo ascent without Bottled Oxygen or Sherpa Support. This was Goran Kroop.

Being an experienced mountaineer, Mr Kroop was confident enough to reach the summit. He started his journey from Sweden on 16th October, 1995 and reached EBC during April 1996. 

******************
Mount Everest is the highest Himalayan mountain at 8,850 metres and is considered as the highest point on Earth. Mount Everest is at a peak in the Himalaya Mountain Range. 

Technically, though it is not the tallest, but still all mountaineers are attracted to summit         Mt. Everest due to many other factors. 

The biggest challenge Mount Everest throws is that from 5,300 metres, the mountain is capped with snow and ice all year round.

The Climate is very harsh and the warmest temperature there is -20 degree Celsius. Trekkers must wear goggles and Warm Clothes to survive this challenging climate.

  • The route includes the following landmarks:
  • Base Camp. 5400 m / 17700 ft. ...
  • Icefall - 5500 m - 6100 m / 18000 ft - 20000 ft. ...
  • Camp 1 - Valley of Silence- 6100 m - 6400 m / 20000 - 21000 ft. ...
  • Camp 2.-  6400 m / 21000 ft. ...
  • Camp 3 - Lhotse wall. 6800m - 8000 m / 22300 ft - 26300 ft. ...
  • Camp 4 - The Deathzone. 8000 m / 26000 ft. ...
  • The summit - 8850 m / 29035 ft. ...


  • The region above 8000 metres is called as "Death Zone" because of lack of Oxygen, coldness and exhaustion of climbers. The average death rate is about 4%. The interesting fact is that most of them died while descending. Also, many death have been reported  due to Avalanches, falling into Crevasses and altitude sickness.

The Cost of this Summit is around $30,000 to $45,000 depending upon the facilities one trekker uses during his trip.

**********

On 3rd May, 1996, Goran Kroop decided to trek to the Summit. This solo trek was not easy to the wildest of anybody's imagination. But Kroop was determined and climbed through knee deep snow.

He reached the Everest's Southern Summit, a point which was 100 metres away from the Summit.However,  It was too late in the day when Kroop reached this place. 

What would have you done at this stage? Proceeded towards the Summit or return to the Base Camp.

Heartbreak - Kroop decided to turn around as he felt it would be risky for him descending in the dark. A brave Decision as his target was so close but then the summit would have cost him his life.

Pic of Goran Kroop with his specially made bicycle

*******
Sometimes, we get so obsessed with our commitment to achieve certain thing that we fail to take the correct and logical decision at correct moment and in the process, loose out everything. 

Having a goal, sacrificing everything for achieving that but not able to achieve the goal is a set back for sure but the game is not over for ever,  you can re-attempt the same with better experience, better enthusiasm and better preparation.

Not making a decision is the worst decision of life!!!

Turning back 100 metres away from your target will make you strong enough and next time, the zeal, experience, enthusiasm and preparations will ensure that the target is achieved in the best possible manner!!!

Have you taken such a brave decision of being there but have not summitted the "Peak"?

#mindspeak
29/08/2020
ca_vishu_sir

Credits - Wikipedia and Google search


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

IKIGAI (Book Review)

Image
IKIGAI - A Japanese Secret to Long and Happy Life by Hector Gracia & Fancesc Miralles (translated by Heather Cleary) A very small but an effective book which shows the way for living a long life. The authors have not only stated the definition and other features of the word "IKIGAI" but took pains to travel to the actual place and interview the "CENTENERIANS" and many such stories are published in this book.The entire narrative is simple to understand for an average reader and tips to implement the same is also given. Hailing from the West, the authors have made comparative study of various practices on similar lines and how "IKIGAI" helps people of the Island OKINAWA survive for longer years is put up beautifully. The travel to a smaller village within the island - OGIMI - called as the Village of Longetivity is penned up wonderfully that the reader can actually have a sense of belonging. IKIGAI in English roughly translates to "the happiness of ...
Read more

Being in Love

Every feeling of a person can be felt on the face when life shows him different shades it can be of being shy, happy or very joyous but being in love is the most special of all cases a person who is in love can be singled out, even when he walks in a crowd he is in his own planet who smiles sheepingly, without being bothered He hardly recognises a person in the crowd -  be it relative or friends who later enquire as to justifications of the actions of face and hands This idiot again gets caught and has to pay a heavy price because he tries to avoid the enquiries and moves to some other place The seeds of doubts get sown in the mind by his mannerism and further gets confirmed by his sheer ignorance and euphorism When the world is busy pointing fingers at him for doing wrong He himself feels that others words are tune of a wonderful song By objecting to his being in love and making him a joke Hardly does he understand that every person who has made a poke i...
Read more

Valentine Day

Image
Valentine's day, Valentine's day, Valentine's day You are so unique because you make everyone pray Your craze starts right from school days in the modern world No surprise that old aged and youngsters are involved in your fold St.Valentine never knew his message of love would be so popular that fundamentalist will have to protest against this day by creating panic and fear But love, as it is very simple, honest and clear finds a way in the hearts of youngsters in remembering their dear Definitely, youngsters should always know that love is such a pure emotion on the d-day, true lover even lacks words to express his love, being in full tension The problem today is many have taken things for granted among some of the youth The 'moral police' being agitated try to discipline everyone in east, west, north or south A simple solution is enjoy the day with the beloved ones as much as you can As a matter of fact no one can cause any damage to love or cre...
Read more