Extreme weather forces climber to abandon Lenin Peak summit

Amateur alpinist Sirle Loigo abandoned her attempt to reach the 7,130-metre summit of Lenin Peak after extreme weather struck the mountain, ERR reported.

Wind gusts reached 40 metres per second during the summit attempt, while temperatures fell to 30 degrees below zero. Loigo had prepared for the expedition for two years.

“Alpinists say that the mountain decides whether it will accept you or not. Lenin had decided that it would not accept amateur alpinists like us,” Loigo said on the television programme Terevisioon.

Although she was disappointed not to reach the summit, Loigo said the expedition showed her that people must not overestimate their abilities in high mountains. A wrong decision can cost a person their life, she said.

During the expedition, a young Polish citizen died at an altitude of 6,100 metres, while another alpinist was brought down from the mountain in serious condition.

Loigo said that at high altitude, basic needs take priority. Climbers must melt water, find food, keep warm and stay alive, leaving little room for other emotions.

She does not consider the expedition a failure. Loigo plans to take a year-long break from the mountains and focus on the Tallinn Ironman. After that, she expects to climb again, probably in Nepal.