On the fortieth day since the start of the expedition to Mount Everest, the weather conditions and forecasts served Tomislav Cvitanušić and his team, and they decided to head for the very top of the Himalayan mountains. They are currently in camp C2 at an altitude of 6,500 meters, and they will spend today and tomorrow resting and preparing for the extremely demanding continuation of the ascent to the highest peak in the world.
“Everything is going according to plan. There is wind and it is quite cold,” Tomislav said in a short message via a satellite communication device. He is a celebrated alpinist, triathlete and Ironman. There is no internet connection in the areas above Base Camp.
According to the plan, Cvitanušić and his team should arrive at camp C3 on Sunday, when they will have to turn on oxygen due to the high altitude – 7,300 meters. In the past few days, they have been testing oxygen bottles and masks so that there are no unforeseen situations.
On Monday, the expedition should arrive at the C4 camp at 7,930 meters, from where, after 3-4 hours of rest, they should head for the summit around 7 p.m.
If everything goes according to plan, in the early morning hours of Tuesday, they could reach the very top of 8,848 meters. On the same day, it is planned to descend to C4, and a day later to return to C2, and then to Base Camp.
“Everyone who follows Cvitanušić on this incredible expedition could learn how much acclimatization to harsh conditions and cold and dry air is necessary in order to take any step further, then the importance of weather conditions and mental strength, which, as Tomo also noticed is a more demanding undertaking when climbing Everest than a physical one,” it is stated in the statement.
Very challenging days are ahead of Cvitanušić, but considering his physical fitness and previous experience, everything should go in the best possible order. This is also the hope of Tomislav’s mentor Muhamed Gafić, who, as a member of the Yugoslav expedition in 1979, managed to climb Mount Everest in an extremely difficult first route over the West Ridge. For this success, Josip Broz Tito awarded them the Order of Merits for the People with Golden Star.
“They are now on the ascent where they endure the cold of -20°C and climb towards the top where the current temperature is -40°C. The wind intensifies the cold to unimaginable proportions. There is less than half the oxygen in the air compared to sea level. The frozen eight thusand meter tall rock Lhotse is before Tomislav, and climbing the South Col of Everest, almost 8,000 meters above sea level, is a feat. After that, almost a kilometer of stratospheric height and a sharp ridge to the top await him. All this together with almost 500 alpinists, who are accompanied by the same number of Sherpas, who dream of the top and who will tread in almost the same footsteps. It’s simple for those who are able to do it, and I believe in Tomislav,” said Gafić.
