Storm prevents climber from reaching Lenin Peak summit

Sirle Loigo failed to reach the summit of Lenin Peak after a severe storm hit the mountain, ERR’s Vikerraadio reported. Alpinist Kunnar Karu, who also took part in the expedition, said the 7,134-metre peak presents a serious challenge.

“I took part as a hobby alpinist and tried, but the weather did not allow a hobby alpinist to reach the summit that day,” Loigo said.

Loigo had set out with the goal of reaching the summit, although she had never before taken part in an expedition on a mountain of that height. She said the expedition gave her valuable experience and that the attempt would not be her last. She had previously climbed a mountain at 6,000 metres.

“You put your ego in a suitcase at base camp and leave it there,” Loigo said. “I would say that mountains are not conquered. The mountain decides whether it will accept you or not.”

She said a powerful storm was raging during the summit attempt, with winds strong enough to make climbers hang from the rope while trying to keep their balance. The wind chill reached minus 30 degrees Celsius.

Karu said the wind changed unexpectedly just before the climbers were due to wake up. He recalled that his first attempt to climb Lenin Peak, in 2014, was also halted by a storm. He had been climbing alone and turned back after encountering dark storm clouds near the summit.

According to Karu, successful expeditions depend on being in the right place at the right time, while being healthy and rested. Climbers must also be able to read weather forecasts carefully, he said, and need some luck.

“In mountains like these, you clearly understand how fragile the boundary between life and death is,” Loigo said, adding that one person died during their expedition. She said such altitudes were not a place to rely on strength alone or take unnecessary risks.

Karu described the summit attempt as a challenge, but not as walking on the edge of death. Instead, he called it a summer holiday spent in very good company.

Lenin Peak is located on the border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.