Jean Craven, Deniz Kayadelen, Vanes-Mari du Toit, Neo Mokuene, Dr. Chiara Baars, Sean Disney, Thufayl Ali, and 18 sherpas climbed to 6,405 meters and set up their unprecedented camp in Phuta Himchuli in the Himalayas on May 10th.
On May 12th, they accomplished the highest high-altitude dip in history. Their original goal was to find a swimmable body of water, recently sighted at 7,000 meters (22,966 feet) by a group of sherpas in an attempt to break the record set by Daniel Bull of Australia who swam at 6,370 meters in the Andes in 2020.
Craven and The Sky is the Limit Madswimmer Team returned to a camp in Kagkot in the Himalayas this Sunday afternoon after a
grueling 15-day ascent on the icy slopes at 6,405 meters in the Himalayas.
Craven, expedition leader and founder of Madswimmer, said, “The trek to the swim site was the most arduous part of the journey. Following three flights and a nerve-wracking 17-hour Jeep ride along steep cliffs, the team embarked on a 138 km uphill trek that lasted 15 days. With the aid of 18 sherpas and a caravan of 35 donkeys and yaks, we transported over a ton of equipment and supplies essential for our survival. We faced harsh icy conditions, battled wind and snow, and navigated treacherously near crevasses that threatened to collapse.
The last accessible swimmable water was found at 4,900 meters. To achieve a world record, we needed to venture higher and create a suitable swimming environment at 6,405 meters.
We carved out a swimming hole in the ice and melted ice in large drums that preserved the liquid water overnight. The swimming hole was covered under a tent canvas to prevent refreezing at night. The next morning, we removed the canvas, filled the ice hole with the liquid water we preserved, and took turns swimming in it for about 3 minutes each, wearing Speedos only. The water was chillingly cold at 3.7°C with the outside temperature at -6°C.“
The expedition was conducted with a commitment to environmental stewardship.
Dr. Chiara Baars, the team doctor, monitored the members’ vital signs and general health throughout. Oxygen levels were measured in the morning and again at night. “It was interesting to observe how sleep aided their acclimatization overnight. Despite most team members lacking experience in high-altitude climbing, none suffered severe shortness of breath or other altitude symptoms. Three members took medication to facilitate acclimatization, which was discontinued as they began their descent. Post-swim, everyone was warmed in heated tents, dressed in warm clothes covered with hot water bottles that ensured their bodies recovered well
from the extreme cold.”
Kayadelen said, “The team emphasized that our expedition aimed to witness and document the impacts of climate change. We encountered alarming signs, like running water appearing nearly 5,000 meters above sea level. The solid ice is crucial for binding the soil in these frigid zones. The melting of it threatens devastating land and mudslides that could obliterate communities. With global awareness campaigns initiated by Nepalese tourism and the documentation by Madswimmer, we hope to spark meaningful discussions and highlight the urgent need to address climate change.”
All funds with this swim will aid the Universitas Academic Hospital Oncology Unit for Teens and Adolescents and Red Cross Children’s Hospital. Support can be made at https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/swimming-the-himalayas-2024.
For more information, visit Madwimmer’s Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, or Twitter, and websites here and @madswimmer.
© Daily News of Open Water Swimming
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