![]() The summit is not always the highest point23.08.2016The following account comes directly from a mountaineer and is courtesy of Husseyn (Gusseyn) Bagirov, Minister of Environment in Azerbaijan and President of ADEINFA (Air and Extreme Sports Federations Association), whose poignant story touches on friendship, mountaineering and core moral values. Bagirov’s account exemplifies point #7 of the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation’s (UIAA) Climber's Manifesto: Help others in need wherever practical, even if it means not reaching a summit or achieving personal goals. “It was December 2009 and we were marking the first ever Azerbaijan expedition to Mount Aconcagua. One organized by FAIREX (Air and Extreme Sports Federation of Azerbaijan, member of ADEINFA) with the support of the Western University, Baku. It was a challenge we were all looking forward to. We found ourselves at the second camp (Confluenzia), located above base camp on the approach to the summit. While we were there, we received a message that a mountaineer was in a critical state at the higher camp (Canada) and required urgent medical aid. The local administration sent rescuers to bring him down and provide medical care. Afterwards, we were informed that the other members of the mountaineer's group had simply radioed base camp about their sick friend and had continued their march towards the mountain top. They had abandoned him. This group of climbers later reported they had reached the peak. However, there was no evidence of this, not even a photo proving that it was true. It seems to me that apart from the ego itself – the most primitive thing that drives climbers, the main source of inspiration for ascending – is the will to overcome oneself, one’s laziness and instincts. There is something perceivable by all of us, that there is something more pure than our personal comfort. The fact that we lost a couple of days turning back to the base camp before continuing on our ascent did not cause a feeling of regret. On the contrary, we felt an excellent feeling of a peaceful mind. |
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