Members of the Tomsk branch of the Russian Geographical Society, Ioann Chechnev and para-traveler Dmitry Bogdanov, together ascended the highest peak in Georgia – Mount Kazbek. The ascent lasted 11 hours 27 minutes and was held as a training stage for the charity project "7 Postcards of the World".
"New victory! The first ever ascent of a blind man to Kazbek (5033m)," Ioann Chechnev said on his Instagram page.
Фото предоставлено Томским областным отделением РГО
The team followed the most difficult route from the north side of the summit. The ascent was not without difficulties.
“There were two dangerous incidents - a strong rockfall that slightly grazed Dima, and there was his fall from the climbing route. Everyone was belayed, so everything went safely,” commented Ioann.
According to the participants of the tandem, they are planning the next preparatory stage – the ascent to the summit of Tajikistan, Lenin Peak, which height is 7134 meters. Then the travelers will go to the highest point in Asia - Everest.
Фото предоставлено Томским областным отделением РГО
The idea of the project "7 Postcards of the World", which was created by the Tomsk traveler Ioann Chechnev, is to conquer such mountains as Kosciuszko, Vinson Massif, Elbrus, Kilimanjaro, Denali, Aconcagua and Everest by blind people in order to make postcard photographs from each peak. The proceeds from the sale of postcards will go towards the construction of an international high-mountain rehabilitation center for children with disabilities. The first participant in the project was a blind Tomsk resident, Dmitry Bogdanov. Dmitry is 27 years old. Seven years ago he got into a car accident, after which doctors diagnosed the young man with uveitis, and he lost his sight.