Local climbs a mountain higher than Kilimanjaro
On August 2 at 7.02am, Paliam reached the summit of Stok Kangri, which has an altitude of 6 153m, a peak not only higher than Kilimanjaro (5 895m), but higher than any mountain in Europe and higher than most peaks in South and North America.
Boksburg hero Merven Paliam recently summited a mountain higher than Africa’s highest mountain – Mount Kilimanjaro.
The Bartlett resident said: “I stood on the summit of a peak higher than Mount Kilimanjaro. This was a journey that took more than 18 months in the making, but on the summit night I realised that although physical fitness is a key factor, mental toughness is the deciding factor for failure or success. Not for a single moment during the summit did I doubt myself.
“My message to the youth is to stay away from drugs, focus on your goals and believe in yourselves. A special thank you to my friends for believing in me and supporting me through this journey.”
Stok Kangri is the highest mountain of the Stok Range in the Himalayas in the Ladakh region of India, close to the Pakistan/China borders.
To be part of the Stok Kangri expedition, Paliam, who’s a worker at a beverage company in Olifantsfontein, had to complete two high altitude treks more than 4 500m, which he did last year at the Garhwal Himalayas.
Paliam was also required to run 10km in 55 minutes or less.
As part of his preparation before attempting the seemingly impossible, the 40-year-old arrived at the town of Leh a week early to acclimatise to the high altitude of the region. He also did local treks at the Ladakh mountain range up to an altitude of 5 602m.
The group which Paliam was part of comprised eight seasoned high altitude trekkers: a trek leader, two guides and support staff.
“The first two days were basic training and acclimatisation treks in the Ladakh region,” explained Paliam.
“On day three, we left for Stok village and started our trek to camp one, called Chang Ma, at an altitude of 3 991m. On day four, we trekked to camp two, called Mankorma, at an altitude of 4 331m. Every day we did acclimatisation treks where we climbed high and slept low.
“On day five, we trekked to Stok Kangri basecamp at an altitude of 4 971m.
“Over the next two days, we trained on how to use snow boots and crampons, how to ascend and descend on snow and ice, how to do technical ice climb and walk roped up. This training was done on the Golap Kangri glacier at an altitude of 5 500m. By now the group was down to three trekkers as the rest descended to the town of Leh due to altitude sickness.
“On the seventh night, at 10pm, we started our journey to the summit of Stok Kangri. Only two trekkers from our group attempted the summit, the third member was sick with acute mountain sickness and low oxygen levels.
“One hour into the summit attempt, I was the only one left, as my team member decided to withdraw. It was a long and brutal night of more than nine hours on the ascent, we trekked on a 70-degree inclined slope, through glaciers, a snow storm, bone-chilling winds and fighting fatigue and low oxygen levels.”
