Interview on my journey to Mt Elbrus
Ms Vani Mendon, GM – Business Development at Servhub, is a great example of determination and bravery. By pushing her boundaries and endurance at Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Kosciusko earlier, she, along with her spouse and son were able to successfully conquer the trail to the top of Mt Elbrus, a hike to the world’s tenth most famous summit. Here are some highlights from our conversation with her as she describes her unforgettable trip.
Q: Ms. Vani, how does it feel to have climbed and successfully conquered the highest peak in Europe?
A: I appreciate the opportunity and am extremely grateful for it. Initially, I planned to climb Mount Elbrus in 2021, but the COVID-19 epidemic derailed my preparations. So getting the chance again and eventually standing atop Europe’s tallest mountain is utterly amazing. It’s a dream come true.
Q: Can you tell us about your initial thoughts and how they evolved throughout the journey?
A: Embarking on the journey to the top of Mt Elbrus initially felt as an extremely daunting challenge which I was thrilled to start. As we continued further into the adventures it showed itself to be an extremely treasured experience for all of us as I could see the close bonding that my family had with each other during the hike and to see it strengthen and make fun memories with each other was truly a beautiful experience.
Q: How was the trekking experience with your son Ayaan?
When Ayaan was younger, it was more about having fun together on the hike. But, as he grows older, his enthusiasm and ambition motivate me to work more and stay up with him. It’s great to see his development and be inspired by his passion.
Q:. What were some of the challenges your family faced during the trek, and how did you manage to overcome them?
A: The weather was extreme, with zero visibility and snowstorms. It was difficult to trek in such conditions but our perseverance kept us going. Another issue was adjusting to the local cuisine, especially for Ayaan, who is pretty finicky about his eating. However, we were able to overcome this obstacle and guarantee that he received the nourishment he needed. Furthermore, the most difficult moment for me as a mother came when Ayaan became unwell on the walk, this had me worried for a while. However, my knowledge of the area due to my previous attempt hiking here and the assistance of our team and support from friends helped us in dealing with all those temporary troughs.
Q: Despite the challenges, there are always memorable moments that stand out. Which part of the trip to climb Mount Elbrus was the most memorable for you?
A: The vacation as a whole was a celebration of good memories. But if I had to select one, it would be the times we spent in the tent, with Ayaan telling us about his climbing experiences. It was really uplifting to see the relationship between my spouse and kid grow stronger over the process. Hearing my spouse say that he feels like he’s walking with a full-grown ‘man’ made me really proud. Of course, the superb cuisine offered throughout the summit was a joy as well.
Q: What advice or pointers would you like to offer to those training and preparing to undertake this journey?
A:I would emphasise on the necessity of a healthy diet, particularly ensuring appropriate carbohydrate intake. Your food accounts for around 80% of the success of the climb. In addition, because the heart pumps quicker at higher elevations, focus on developing a strong cardiac capability. Strengthening your calves and muscles is particularly important because climbing for long periods of time requires stamina.
Q: Thank you for those valuable tips. Lastly, could you tell us about the weather conditions you had to contend with during your Mount Elbrus climb?
A: Overall, the weather was difficult. We faced spells of zero visibility and had to deal with snowstorms. However, there were times when the sun shone in between, hence providing us with a little relief. Unfortunately, the extreme temperatures we suffered have left me with a tiny frostbite on my finger. I also fell off the cliff twice. It was one of the scariest experiences as it was not easy to haul an adult person up through soft snow and very little grip. I thought this might be it for me but I have survived to tell the tale (smiles wistfully).
Q: What kind of diet is usually recommended for climbing, and how did Ayaan cope with that?
A: A carbohydrate-rich diet is strongly advised for climbing. As I previously stated, it is critical to the climb’s success. We were lucky to have wonderful meals supplied during our summit, which helped us maintain our energy levels. The high altitude also allowed us to feast on an array of rich soups which helped keep us warm and healthy.
Q:Lastly, now that you have conquered Mount Elbrus, what would you aim for next in your mountain climbing journey?
A: I have two upcoming objectives in mind. On August 4th, I want to climb Mentok Kangri in Ladakh. In addition, I’m working hard to get authorization to climb Aconcagua in Argentina. These are the next two mountains that I’m looking forward to scaling next.I would like to extend my most sincere thanks to my coach Mikhael, and guide Chatur Tamang, support staff. Without their help, Elbrus would not have been a dream come true.
Ms Vani’s recollections of her spectacular but difficult journey exemplify her indomitable attitude. Her expressions of thanking the universe and the powers above are humbling.
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