The 14 Peaks Expedition Team successfully summited Carstensz Pyramid (Puncak Jaya), the highest peak in Indonesia and Oceania, marking another milestone in the 7 Summits challenge. Under the leadership of Tashi Lakpa Sherpa, the team overcame tough conditions and safely returned to base camp.
✅ Sulaiman Hamood AL Naabi 🇴🇲
✅ Artem Gurshtein 🇷🇺
✅ Kadyrakun Nurmamatov 🇰🇬
✅ Lilia Kovalenko 🇷🇺
✅ Igor Veremeenko 🇷🇺
What should have been a moment of celebration soon turned into a dramatic rescue operation.
On the night of February 28 to March 1, a group of 10 climbers was stranded near the summit in freezing conditions. By the morning of March 1, five climbers were rescued, but two had tragically perished. The remaining three were trapped and unable to descend.
At 6:30 AM, Garrett Madison (founder of Madison Mountaineering), Tashi Lakpa Sherpa, and Ben Jones quickly formed a rescue team. Carrying hot water, altitude medicine, food, and rescue gear, they climbed rapidly to reach the survivors.
After 45 minutes of climbing, the rescuers found the fallen climbers—both confirmed deceased. Pushing forward, they reached the three stranded climbers, who were hypothermic and exhausted. Immediate medical aid was given, including Dexamethasone, hot electrolytes, energy gels, and dry clothing.
Despite the difficult conditions, the team managed a steady descent, reaching base camp by mid-afternoon, just before heavy rain set in. Other guides worked to recover the fallen climbers.
Reflecting on the rescue, one climber noted, “Perhaps we were meant to be here for this reason—a higher purpose.”
This mission stands as a testament to the unwavering courage, leadership, and expertise of the 14 Peaks Expedition team. While summits are significant, saving lives remains the ultimate achievement.
