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In an extraordinary feat of human endurance, LIBERTY’s very own Petr Szabados climbed Pik Lenina, the highest mountain in the Trans-Alay Range of Central Asia, in the Pamir Mountains in Tajikistan.
The production management specialist at the LIBERTY Ostrava tubular mill in the Czech Republic took part in a challenging Czech-Slovak expedition in July this year. Along with 13 other members of the expedition, he climbed the 7,000-metre Pik Lenina – an incredible example of one of our core values of Change and persisting to overcome setbacks.
Congratulations Petr! What motivated you to push yourself like this?
Petr: Mountaineering has always been my lifelong hobby and my part-time job as a professional mountain guide. I have a passion for exploring the unknown mountain range and understanding the local people’s way of life. I wanted to push myself and overcome my limits to get above the 6000m mark.
7000 metres is a colossal challenge. How did you prepare?
Petr: I’ve climbed a lot of peaks but this was different. The Pamirs are majestic, cruel and unforgiving. You have to prepare perfectly so I approached it step by step like it was my first mountain. I acclimatized in the Pamirs for three weeks. Even so, the body took a real toll. At 5000 metres, I got altitude sickness, got sunburn from the alpine sun, caught an intestinal disease and had a lot of pain in my bronchial tubes.
What did you find most difficult?
Petr: The glacier was in a terrible condition because of the warm weather. Large cracks made it impossible to climb, the route changed, and we had to overcome the icefall with difficult climbing. The preparation for the expedition, including separation from my family, were demanding. The last metres at 7000m were particularly cruel – you have to rest every 20 steps, the brain and body ‘switch off’ due to lack of oxygen.
It must have been emotional when you reached the summit!
Petr: On 22 July, after 11 hours of climbing from the C3 camp, I stepped onto the 7,134 meter-high summit. I cried with happiness and hugged the others – exhausted, tired, but satisfied. My dream came true.
What was it like to return to civilization and work?
Petr: When I saw the flowers, the earth and the ‘normal world’, I had tears in my eyes again. I was thankful to be back safe and sound. I had a lot of support from my coworkers and management at LIBERTY Ostrava – both spiritually and financially – and I’d like to thank them all. I was looking forward to being greeted with congratulations and I wasn’t disappointed.
What would you say to colleagues about their own ambitions?
Petr:
Don’t be afraid to try to fulfil your ambitions. It’s better to start and try than to wait and see. Even if it doesn’t work out, at least you had a go. That is also very important.
How’s recovery going?
Petr: It takes several weeks for the body to return to normal, and a few months for the head. I spent a few days with my family at the seaside for rest and relaxation – no hills, mountains or heights. I needed the local air to fix my bronchi and airways.
So, you fulfilled your dream. Where do you go from there? Do you have any other plans?
Petr: Definitely. I’m the type of person who doesn’t settle for what I have – I need to keep moving forward. On the other hand, I’m not in a rush: I know what I want in life, how I want it, how I will live. I’m keeping them in my head for now and when the time is right, it’ll come.
Thanks Petr! We’re so proud of you and can’t wait to see what you achieve next…
Petr’s colleagues at LIBERTY Ostrava followed his every move and showed their support on social media:
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