This was the first time a Search and Rescue team from Turkey performed a high-altitude climb. The team climbed the Ibni Sina Peak (Peak Lenin), one of the highest mountains of the Pamirs Mountain Range on the Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan border.

In total, the expedition carried out by the High-Altitude Search and Rescue team took 20 days. 5 IHH delegations took part in the expedition performed by around 20 individual climbers from Turkey.

The team included IHH Disaster Academy Representative and Expedition Leader Erdal Altıntaş, IHH Underwater Search and Rescue Team Leader Ali Uygur and IHH volunteers Mehmet Taşdemir, Cihad Kaptan and Ahmet Çelik. Turkey’s First Female Snow Leopard Esin Handal, the First Kosovo Woman to Climb Everest Uta Ibrahim and Thai Climber Sukthawee Suwannachairop also took part in the expedition. This expedition was carried under compelling winter conditions, which served as a great experience in terms of search and rescue operations. The team will be continuing the high-altitude climbs.

High-altitude climbs hold a special, valued place in mountaineering and search and rescue operations. Mountain climbs of 3.000m and above are classified as high-altitude climbing. It is important that the body adapts to low oxygen and air pressure during these high-altitude expeditions. In view of this, these climbs are done gradually with the team spending at least one night at each of the determined heights.  On average, climbing a mountain of 7.000m height takes 15-20 days. On long climbs like this, a balanced and suitable diet, health, communication, transport, accommodation, and rest among others are classified as the basic necessities for a healthy climb. Mountaineering and search and rescue activities are closely monitored by hundreds of thousands of people in Turkey.

Ibni Sina Peak (Peak Lenin)

The Ibni Sina Peak or Peak Lenin that is 7.134m high is classified as one of the favorite peaks among world climbers. Located on the Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan border, Ibni Sina Peak is one of the highest of the Pamir Mountains. The classic climbing route is on the Kyrgyzstan side of the mountain. The climb up to the peak has 4 different camps and requires high-quality clothing, camp, safety and protective equipment. On such climbs with extreme mountain conditions, high durability and strength are essential. Certain stages of the climb are carried out using a tandem rope or belaying that requires mountaineering technique.