UNAIR NEWS – The Airlangga Indonesia Denali Expedition (AIDeX) Athletes of Mountaineering Club (UKM WANALA) UNAIR postponed continuing trip due to the uncertain weather.
It was explained by manager of AIDeX Athlete , Wahyu Nur Wahid, he got the report from the athlete that on Thursday (8/6) they were still in camp four where located at altitude of 14.100 feet or 4.297 meter above sea level.
“The weather in camp four is windy, furthermore in camp five was exposed strong winds and cloudy. Meanwhile the temperatures range is from minus 28 degrees Celsius to minus 32 degrees Celsius,” Said the Athlete Manager
Now, the ascent is in the day 12 by three athletes, Muhammad Faishal Tamimi (Faculty of Vocational Studies/2011), Mochammad Roby Yahya (Faculty of Fisheries and Marine/2011, dan Yasak (alumnusof Faculty of Social and Political Science).
Meanwhile, according to weather forecasts in Denali, over the next four days, the weather is bad for continuing the ascent. There will be snow showers to whiteout. A Snow shower is anomalous conditions at which time rain, sunny, and snowfall comes and goes in interval. Whiteout is a fog condition that causes the blurred horizon line and it leads to disorientation of direction.
“This condition makes the climbers (AIDex Athletes) have to walk down from camp five to four,” Wahyu Said
Though they are in the bad weather, the three athletes are in health condition. During waiting the right timing to continue going to camp five at altitude of 17.200 feet, currently they are enjoying the rest day in camp four.
“They took photo and selfie, and also shared experiences with other climbers. They are doing activities in the camp,” Wahyu stated
If the on June 9th the weather is better, they will continue the trip to go to camp five then take rest day in a day on June 10th and will continue climb the summit on June 11th.
Two days ago, on June 6th the athletes took the rest in camp four. Then on June 7th they did the trip go to Ridges at an altitude of 16,100 feet and brought the logistics which previously been buried in Ice.
“Me as the representative of the athletes and management begging the prayers for them to stay health and the weather in Denali is good so that they can continue the trip and back home safely,” said the student who studies in Public Administration Department class of 2011.
The success of the athlete team through the obstacles in Denali is due to various well-preparedness that have been done while in Indonesia. For 18 months, the preparation of AIDeX team was assisted by PT. PP Property (Tbk) and PT. Pawnshop Persero.
Denali is not the highest mountain peak climbed by members of the Mountaneering Club (UKM Wanala) UNAIR. Four of the seven highest peak that has been reached are Peak of Carztenz Pyramid (Indonesia / 1994), Kilimanjaro (Tanzania / 2009), Elbrus (Russia / 2011), and Aconcagua (Argentina / 2013).
After Denali, the other expedition is going to Mt.Vinson Massif and Everest will complete their mission, Seven Summit.
Author: Defrina Sukma S
