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. 

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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.

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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

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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


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