The symbol of the coming large international competitions in Ashgabat was hoisted at the highest mountain crests of Turkmenistan and places of interest of every velayat of the country under the Ascent Project, which was organized by the State News Agency (TDH) and the Executive Committee for preparation of V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.
Now, the Flag of our country and symbol of Ashgabat 2017 Games having left the country were hoisted on one of the highest mountains of the world 7134 meters Abu Ali Ibn SIna Peak.
This patriotic action is dedicated to the Year of Health and Inspiration and is to popularize coming large-scale competitions in Turkmen capital, which would gather the best athletes of Asia and Oceania.
This mountain peak, famous among the mountain climber of the planets and the third by height in the CIS named after Abu Ali Ibn Sina, is located on Chon-Alay mountaing range of the Pamir between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
The expedition included experienced Turkmen mountain climbers who have already successfully climbed the mountains over 7,000 metres high like Khan Tengry Peak and the above-mentioned Abu Ali Ibn Sina, over 5,000 metres Demavend in Iran and the highest peak of Europe Elbrus in Russian Federation.
Numerous routes across the Motherland on the Kopetdag range next to Ashgabat and traditional winter ascents in Koytendag were a good training for our sportsmen.
Having made a long journey from Turkmenistan to Kyrgyzstan, our climbers started the ascent to Abu Ali Ibn Sina Peak from the base camp Achyk Tash in Zaalay Valley.
The classic ascent route along the northern ridge was selected.The first day at the foothill met the sportsmen with rain and hail, it was snowing above covering the slopes where the route of ascent runs.
The base camp is located on 3600 meters above the sea level. This is almost 1500 meters higher than Ayrybaba Peak in Koytendag in Lebap Velayat where the symbol of Ashgabat 2017 Games has started half of year ago under the Ascent Project.
After, this patriotic action was continued with the ascent to the top of Dushakerikdag Mountain (2782 m). Balkan Velayat was the next stage where the participants of the project hoisted the symbol of Asghabat Games on Hasardag Mountain of the Western Kopetdag.
After short break, the members of the expedition went to Mary Velayat where they visited the State Historical and Cultural Reserve Ancient Merv and legendary country Margush, which history has begun on the banks of old Murgab almost 4000 years ago.
The symbol of Ashgabat 2017 Games finished its journey in Dashoguz region having visited the most deepest inland place in Turkmenistan, the Akchakaya Hollow, which is 81 meters below the seal level.
Thus, the symbol of Ashgabat games has been in all regions of Turkmenistan during patriotic action, having visited the highest point of the country and the deepest gorge and only after that it went to conquer one of the highest peaks of the planet.
The Pamir’s expedition was started by the sportsmen from training and adaptation trips, which forestall the final ascent of the height and mandatory in high mountain climbing.During adaptation trip, the sportsmen moved from the base camp (3600 m) to the first high rise camp (4400 m) as well as made a trip along the main route up to the lower edge of the glacier.
The training ascent to 5100 Yukhin’s Peak was also successful.
The move to the second high rise camp, the way to which run along the glacier covered with dangerous cracks sometime hidden under the snow, was a good challenge. They had to go wearing safety connecting harnesses, which would help to get out of deep ice fractures in case of an accident.
The ascent under acclimatization programme up to 6100 meter mark in the third high rise camp on Razdel’naya Mountain was also successful.
Having completed acclimatization programme and adapted to the height, the members of the project went down to the base camp. After few days, Turkmen team undertook the last and most important phase of the expedition the delivery of the Flag of our Motherland and the Symbol of Ashgabat 2017 Games to the mountain over 7000 meters height.
The trip to the last part of the route was appointed to 2 am. The darkness was cut through by the beam of the torchlight, which was reflecting with myriads of gleams in thick layer of eternal snow. The road was also lit up by the moonlight which was quite enough. Very cold winf was stopping the breath.
Sharp snow edge, running next to the abyss is behind. Later, the sunbeams made it a bit warmer. Extended sloping plateau before the peak was not that steep, however, every step was requiring quite efforts.
And finally there is a long expected peak!It raised above the surrounding ridges of the Pamir.The wind flew the Flag of Turkmenistan and the symbol of V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, which would bring together the strongest athletes of 64 states of Asia and Oceania as well as Olympic refugee team, in hands of the members of patriotic action on the height of 7134 meters.