- Статьи
- Army
- Altitude relations: how the military of the five countries and the veterans of the SVR were preparing for the assault on Elbrus
Altitude relations: how the military of the five countries and the veterans of the SVR were preparing for the assault on Elbrus
Intensive preparations for the international Elbrus ascent are coming to an end in Kabardino-Balkaria. On the eve of the decisive exit, a solemn opening ceremony of the training camp was held at the base of the Mountain Training and Survival Center of the Russian Ministry of Defense. During the training, servicemen from Russia, Belarus, Iran, Morocco and Zimbabwe, as well as veterans of the special operation with severe wounds, adapted to the altitude and practiced their movement skills on the ice terrain. Tomorrow, July 25, the united team will begin its ascent to the top.
The stages of the Highland habit
The main difficulty of Elbrus is not so much the rocky terrain as the rapidly increasing hypoxia and sudden changes in weather. To protect the body from oxygen starvation and physical exhaustion, instructors at the Terskol Mountain Training and Survival Center have developed a consistent adaptation system.
At the first stage, the climbers made radial exits from the village of Terskol to the waterfall "Maiden spit" at heights from 2800 to 3500 m. On these routes, the commanders assessed the coherence of the group and the movement characteristics of fighters with musculoskeletal injuries, calculating an individual pace and insurance schemes.
The second stage took the participants to a high-altitude camp at around 3,800 m. From there, control exits were made to the Pastukhov rocks at a height of 4,800 m and to the beginning of the Oblique Shelf, a long side passage encircling the Eastern Peak at a level of 5,100 m.
In parallel with the acclimatization ascents, the participants completed a course in ice and snow techniques: they honed self-restraint, movement in bundles, proper fixation of the railing and handling ice axes. The fighters received advice on passing the most dangerous sections personally from Senior Lieutenant Vitaly Shkel, the record holder for the fastest ascent of Mount Elbrus.
Overcoming and international cooperation
Special importance was attached to this gathering by the participation of veterans of the SVO who were seriously injured. For them, every mountain climb was not only a workout, but also an important part of rehabilitation.
Dmitry Kulikov, a captain of the Airborne Forces and a recipient of two Orders of Courage, is among those who will set off on the route tomorrow. Due to the injury, his foot almost lost its mobility, but the officer continued training at the CSKA climbing wall, and then went to the mountains.
— After recovery, the head of physical training offered to try his hand at rock climbing. I gladly agreed to come to Terskol to breathe the mountain air. It was a dream come true. The activity has breathed new life, because I am not used to sitting in the office with papers. The main sources of strength today are army fraternity and family," Dmitry Kulikov emphasized.
The Army Club systematically develops adaptive sports, helping military personnel with damage to the musculoskeletal system to return to active life faster. This work is carried out in accordance with the tasks set by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. CSKA creates conditions for the training of athletes who have suffered serious injuries: it provides a qualified coaching staff, methodological base and gratuitous infrastructure, preparing fighters for new life achievements.
The training sessions proved to be equally important for the foreign participants. Representatives of the armies of Belarus, Iran, Morocco and Zimbabwe note the high level of equipment and professionalism of the Russian instructors, thanks to which the adaptation took place without disruption.
— Climbing Elbrus is a test not only of physical fitness, but also of endurance, endurance, and character. I am an amateur, I came to climb for the first time. I studied a lot of materials and thematic films and realized that Elbrus is a very serious mountain. The ascent is not easy, but thanks to the experienced instructors, it was easier to go through the acclimatization stages. The first attempt turned out to be quite good, we hope that everything will work out," said Kirill Chupris, First Deputy Chairman of the Sports Committee of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.
Ceremonial start and readiness number one
The official part of the sporting event was opened by laying flowers at the Monument to the soldier-climber — defender of the Fatherland. The participants were addressed by the head of CSKA Artem Gromov, the leadership of the Mountain Training Center and representatives of the administration of the Elbrus district. The festive atmosphere was supported by performances by creative teams from Kabardino-Balkaria and the Southern Military District.
The project is held under the mottos "Friendship through sport" and "New heights, no matter what" under the auspices of the International Council of Military Sports (CISM).
All members of the squad have already passed a second medical examination and equipment check. Tomorrow they will have to overcome the main segment of the route: the start is planned from an altitude of 2200 m, and the total climb will be 3442 m with a route length of 12.5 km. Climbers will unfurl the national flags of their countries at the highest point in Europe.
Traditions of sports diplomacy
Under the motto "To the top of Elbrus for Peace," a few years ago, a tradition of international military personnel climbing two iconic peaks, Damavand in Iran and Elbrus in Russia, was born. A joint journey to the snow-capped giant mountains, sung by poets and artists, strengthens friendship and cooperation between the armies of different countries.
Representatives of Russia, Belarus, Iran, China, Armenia, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, India, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Oman, Syria, Uzbekistan and Ecuador have already participated in this project.
Striving for the top symbolizes not only the route of climbers, but also the human desire for new unconquered frontiers. This is a path of creation, physical and spiritual self-improvement.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
