67-Year-Old From England and Friend Miraculously Survive Climbing a 20,000ft Peak Filled With Heinous Obstacles in Tajikistan

The world of mountaineering yet again, proved that it is not to be treated lightly. A 67-year-old climber from Britain, Mick Fowler, decided to embark on what he thought would be a thrilling adventure. In a recent adventure that took place in July, Fowler paired up with a fellow British climber, Simon Yates.

The north face of the Patkhor range peaking at 6,083 meters was a new experience for both Fowler and Yates. While the two were well-versed in the dangers of the range, it was no less a back-breaking feat.

Climbing to reach the daunting field at Rushan Pamir

The fearless expedition to Patkhor was the brainchild of Fowler. Though Yates was equally intrigued to set out on conquering the uncharted territory of the Tajikistan peak. Attracted to the majestic altitude of 6,000 meters, both of them shared similar objectives.

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Nestled in the Gorno-Badakshan region of Tajikistan, Patkhor gleams amidst the Rushan Pamir range. Their journey to the top was adorned with daunting impediments. 

Fowler shared a short glimpse of the perilous trek with Exploresweb, “On the third abseil, the last before we would start to downclimb, the Abalakov thread pulled. Because of tiredness, exhaustion, or whatever, we had failed to clip the thread into the backup screw. Simon fell and slid around 100m, sustaining injuries which were later ascertained to be five broken ribs and two crushed vertebrae.”

That was not the only hardship they faced on their expedition.

Surviving on treacherous terrain and limited ration

Initiating their expedition from the village of Basid, the two climbers started from the Afghan border. They enlisted the help of two donkeys who carried their gear. They set up their base camp at 3,700 meters, marking a critical juncture of their expedition. 

Before the commencement of their trek on July 13, they ascended another nearby peak to acclimatize themselves. However, on their actual expedition, their journey took a tragic turn when they suffered from food poisoning and survived on meager rations throughout their journey. 

Refusing to surrender so early, the duo remained persistent in their ascent through the treacherous icy terrain that sloped 50°. Following this, Fowler and Yates strayed far from the ridge owing to poor visibility that forced them to a quick descent. On their way back, Yates suffered grave injuries, and they ardently waited amidst precarious conditions until a Tajikistan rescue team arrived on foot.

Fowler and Yate’s extraordinary journey in their advanced years has captivated the attention of the mountaineering community, praising their indomitable spirit. Their story will continue to be a source of inspiration, exhibiting the cruciality of willpower and resilience that helped them to overcome the prejudices associated with age being an impairment while embracing their love for adventure.

What do you think about the two Englishmen’s journey?

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