Jean Craven, Deniz Kayadelen, Vanes-Mari du Toit, Neo Mokuene, Dr. Chiara Baars, Sean Disney, Thufayl Ali, and 18 sherpas are on their way to climb and swim in Phuta Himchuli in the Himalayas.
Their goal?
To set the highest high-altitude swim in history by breaking Australian Daniel Bull‘s record of swimming at 6,370 meters in the Andes in 2020.
The Madswimmer group plans to climb to a new open body of water located at 7,000 meters (22,966 feet) above sea level at Phuta Himchuli in the Himalayas – and start swimming.
They will leave for Nepal on Friday, April 19th as part of the The Sky is the Limit swim.
Visionary and sponsor Craven explains, “The purpose of our swim is to foster global dialogue on climate resilience. This extreme adventure in brutal cold, that could last up to three weeks, aims to be a display of the power of the human spirit that can even take on environmental challenges by stepping out of one’s comfort zone.
We want to reclaim the high altitude swimming record for South Africa to show that we are capable of much more than we think or believe. We do not swim for adventure only, but also to become heroes for the children and communities we serve, and to set an example of what can be achieved through courage, unity, and a heart for change. We want to challenge people to step out of their own comfort zones to do and achieve more.”
Dr. Chiara Baars knows that the expedition can be life-threatening. She explains, “Altitude sickness and frostbite are medical conditions that will be closely monitored on this journey. Depending on each person’s adjustment to the extreme altitudes, they might have to take critical decisions in the moment to ensure safety.“
Madswimmer will use the opportunity to highlight climate change – the reason for the formation of higher water pools in the Himalayas. Craven explains, “By seeking out these pools and swimming there, we want to create awareness on the consequences of climate change and challenge people to rethink their actions that damage the planet. We have only one earth, and we all want to survive here.”
Cameraman Thufayl Ali will use satellite filming equipment to film the group amidst the breathtaking landscapes and provide daily updates on their progress. The effects of climate change will be pointed out throughout.
Craven says, “We are privileged to undertake such an endeavor, and therefore always give something back. 100% of the funds we raise will benefit child support services. This swim specifically supports the Universitas Hospital’s Oncology Unit for Teens and Adolescents, as well as the Tygerberg Children’s Hospital. We invite people to contribute to the indispensable services these organizations provide by supporting our Back-a-Buddy campaign here.”
For more information, or daily updates from the Himalayas, visit Madwimmer’s Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, or Twitter.
We asked Craven a number of questions to learn more about the challenge:
Daily News of Open Water Swimming: Doing a high-altitude swim requires a swimsuit, swim cap, goggles…and a whole lot of climbing gear. How much does your climbing gear weigh?
Jean Craven: Our team’s climbing gear is meticulously chosen for efficiency and is estimated to weigh around 15-20 kilograms each. This gear is essential for the high-altitude conditions we will be facing, even though we will swim without neoprene suits for the actual challenge.
Daily News of Open Water Swimming: Will you use oxygen at 7,000 meters, either before or after the swim?
A2. We plan to immerse ourselves in the natural high-altitude environment and will not use supplemental oxygen. This decision is supported by the collective experience of our team and sherpas, all of whom have been above 7,000 meters, and our tour leader, Sean Disney, who has twice summited Everest.
Daily News of Open Water Swimming: Has anyone on the team already climbed to 7,000 meters or higher?
A3. While no swimmers on the team have reached above 7000 meters, our extensive experience includes team members and sherpas who have all ventured to such altitudes. Sean Disney, our tour leader, has rich high-altitude experience, including two summits of Everest.
Daily News of Open Water Swimming: Hiking up a mountain with a heavy backpack at 7,000 meters is tough cardiovascularly, for sure. What is the difference between swimming and hiking at that altitude?
Jean Craven: Swimming at these altitudes, without the buoyancy aid of neoprene, is a unique challenge that tests our adaptability and endurance in different ways compared to hiking. The water’s intense cold and the physical demands of swimming in such an environment require rigorous preparation and mental fortitude.
Daily News of Open Water Swimming: Do you plan to swim freestyle or head-up breaststroke?
Jean Craven: Given the expected water temperatures of 1-2°C, we will focus on short-duration swims, aiming for 5-10 minutes each. The stroke choice will be determined by the conditions of the water body we encounter, ensuring efficiency and safety.
Daily News of Open Water Swimming: How far do you hope to swim?
Jean Craven: Our objective in terms of distance will depend on the size and nature of the water body we find. We aim to push the boundaries while prioritizing the team’s well-being and the mission’s message.
Daily News of Open Water Swimming: How do you rewarm at 7,000 meters after getting out of the water?
Jean Craven: A recovery tent will be set up, heated with warm liquids, providing an immediate haven to rewarm after the swim. This critical infrastructure is part of our comprehensive safety and health management strategy.
Daily News of Open Water Swimming: If a swimmer gets in trouble in the water at that altitude, how do you plan to rescue the individual?
Jean Craven: In the event of an emergency, we have arranged for helicopter evacuation capabilities from 6,000 meters and below. Our team is fully insured, and we have rigorous safety protocols in place to address any unforeseen circumstances swiftly.
Daily News of Open Water Swimming: What social platforms will you use to provide a real-time video feed from the Himalayas?
Jean Craven: Starting April 20th, we will share 60-second daily broadcasts via our mobile satellite dish, ensuring constant communication capability from the mountain. This will continue throughout the expedition until the penciled end date of May 6th.
Kayadelen writes in her blog Out of the Comfort Zone about the 16-18 day Madswimmer team schedule:
- Day 1 • Gather in Kathmandu
- Day 2-3 • Kathmandu-to-Juphal: travel by small airplane to Nepalgunj, and the next morning another airplane to Juphal.
- Day 3 • Juphal-to-Dunai: expedition starts first 3-hour walk to Dunai to set up the first camp and prepare for the 14-day trek to base camp.
- Day 4 • Dunai-Tarakot trek: the first 6-hour walk where sherpas join as guides and porters.
- Day 5-8 • Tarakot – Musikhola – Kakot – Panji: hike to base camp.
- Day 7 • Kakotgoan: meet local monks to ask the mountain for its permission and its blessing to keep safe at the last village before base camp.
- Day 9 • Climb to base camp: hike 1,000 meters in one day.
- Day 10-14 • Arrive and rest at base camp: duration of the rest will depend on the weather conditions while the sherpas depart on a 3-day logistics trek to set up the next camp.
- Day 15 • Nearing the goal: daunting hike up steep slopes and knee-deep powder snow alternate with slippery ice fields as the air becomes thinner.
- Day 16 • The trek to camp 2 and the swimming location: hike off the normal track to locate the highest swimmable lake in the world
- Create a swimmable venue: water in the area may be frozen so team will open part of the thinnest ice sheet and try to keep it from refreezing.
- Safety first: after the swim venue is prepared, all preliminary measures will proceed and the water temperature is measured, and the quality is tested to ensure it is safe.
- Getting ready: each swimmer will be kept warm in a tent until it is their turn. Hot chocolate helps increase body warmth before the ice-cold plunge, so maintaining focus and calming the nerves is crucial at this point.
- Limiting the risk with Dr. Chiara is ready to intervene whenever something seems even slightly amiss.
2015 Madswimmer High-Altitude Swim in the Andes:
For more information and updates, visit here and @madswimmer.
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