Valery Babanov, a seasoned climber with an impressive track record is gearing up for a remarkable feat scaling Mount Everest without the aid of supplemental oxygen. At 59 years old he boasts a four decade long climbing career marked by numerous achievements including two Piolet d’Or awards, the Oscars of the mountaineering world.
In 2001, he made history by conquering India’s Meru Shark Finn solo, and in 2003, he collaborated with Yuri Koshelenko to pioneer a new route up Nuptse East. Valery has also tackled challenging peaks like Korguenevskaya and Peak Lenin in record time, demonstrating his exceptional climbing prowess.
Having summited six peaks over 8,000 meters, including Broad Peak and GI via new routes alongside his partner Victor Afanasiev, Valery now sets his sights on Everest without oxygen. Despite his impressive resume, he considers this endeavor the ultimate challenge.
Valery has been diligently preparing for this moment throughout his entire career. Last year, he honed his skills by summiting Makalu, although there are reports suggesting he may have used supplemental oxygen during the climb. Undeterred, he is currently en route to Everest, currently in the Khumbu Valley, eager to embark on this monumental journey.
Source: ExplorersWeb
