UNAIR NEWS – Rector of Universitas Airlangga officially announced three athletes of Indonesia Denali Expedition (AIDeX) to climb the highest mountain peak of North America, Mt. Mc Kinley or Denali. The departure ceremony was held at UNAIR Management Office, Campus C, On Monday (8/5).
The three athletes are from Mountaineering Student Club of UNAIR (UKM WANALA), Muhammad Faishal Tamimi (Faculty of Vocational Studies), Mochammad Roby Yahya (Faculty of Fisheries and Marine) and Yasak (Alumnus)
In the departure ceremony, Rector of Universitas Airlangga Prof.Dr.Mochammad Nasih gave the appreciation and motivation for athletes. According to him, the highest peak mountain ascent was an effort to introduce UNAIR to the world.
“By Raising of UNAIR Flag in the peak of Denali, surely, we are better known because there will be UNAIR Flag in the peak,” Nasih said
The most important thing in Denali Ascent is the safety. Nasih hoped three athletes could consider the ascent aspects, such as physic and natural condition.
“To reach the Denali’s Peak is our hope, but to come back in Surabaya and university safely is our goals. So, So do not push yourself and consider all aspects objectively, ” Nasih said
“You must come back to Indonesia safely because your father, mother and family wait you home,” He added
The departure ceremony of AIDeX athletes was attended by the officer, Alumni Association, member, senior and coach of UKM Wanala, and also athletes’ family. After delivering the speech, the event was continued with symbolic submission of UKM Wanala’s flag, UNAIR’s Flag and Indonesia’s Flag.
Well-Preparedness
The Denali Peak Mountain ascent by UKM Wanala UNAIR is the fifth of Seven Summit expedition. Seven Summit expeditions is the ascent to the seven highest mountain summits in each continent.
Faishal, coordinator of expedition, said that AIDeX team would climb Denali for 18 until 22 days. They are scheduled depart from Surabaya to Jakarta on May 10th, then flight to USA on May 16th. They will climb Denali start from May 21st to June 9th .
Meanwhile, they have planned for doing fasting (in Ramadhan). “As planned, we will do it (fasting) when on acclimatization or rest day. On rest day, we only do nothing or walk around tent. It possible for us to do fasting though not full,” Faishal said
The athletes have done the exercise for more than a year, they were trained to get used to the equipment used in icebergs like crampons (footwear to climb icebergs) and snow foot.
The athletes regularly held the exercise in mountain area like Bromo Tengger National Park and Mt. Argopuro. While on exercise, they tried to drag the 20 kilograms burdens, also to do the self-defense techniques.
“Ideally, to climb over there takes four to five climbers. All climbers are connected with one rope, if there is one fell then there are still four people holding back. So yesterday exercise in Bromo we are more focused on rescue techniques, “added student D-3 Automation Instrumentation System.
When been asked about goals and hope, Faishal, represented his friends said that the seven summit expedition is a form of their love for nature and homeland.
“Being a nature lover students club (mountaineering student club), seven summits is a form of our love for nature and homeland. And being a nature lover students club, this is our way to show off our pride as an organization,” He said
Denali is not the first peak who had climbed by member of UKM Wanala. Four of the seven highest peak mountains were Cartens Peak, Mt.Jaya Wijaya (Indonesia/1994), Mt. Kilimanjaro (Tanzania/2009), Mt.Elbrus (Russia/2011) and Mt. Aconcagua (Argentina/2013).
Besides Denali, the expedition at Mt.Vinson Massif in Antarctica and Everest Peak in Mt. Himalaya will complete their seven summit expedition.
Author: Defrina Sukma S
