Ira Kalina’s Ascent of Island Peak: A Flag in Support of Animals Was Unfurled at an Altitude of 6,189 Meters

However, just before the summit push began, plans changed: Ira fell ill and was forced to stay at camp for a day and a half longer than the rest of the group to try to regain her strength. She realized that her physical condition might prevent her from making the ascent, so she handed the flag over to the other group members — Oksana (the team leader) and Natalia — ahead of time.

After a short rest, Ira did set out on the final push. With a severe cough and overall exhaustion, she navigated the rocky sections and climbed to an altitude of 5,710 meters. She was just under 500 meters from the summit, but her body couldn’t take it anymore.

“It was incredibly hard for me to say ‘stop.’ That decision was harder than the entire climb. I hesitated until the very end, because I understood: if I turned back, Tenzing, who was accompanying us, wouldn’t see the summit he’d dreamed of either, since he’d have to descend with me. When I started coughing up blood, I still managed to gain another hundred meters in altitude. But it was impossible to go any further—I felt nauseous and as if I were falling asleep on the move,” Ira shares.

Accompanied by Tenzin, who was belaying her on the descent, the volunteer began her way down. In mountaineering, stopping in time is not a defeat, but a conscious choice that saves lives.

“This climb was for those who cannot protect themselves. Even if I didn’t touch the very summit with my feet, the flag and my heart were there,” says Ira.

Despite this, her group helped achieve the goal of the climb; Oksana and Natalia unfurled the flag at the very summit of Island Peak, dedicating this gesture to the rescue of animals suffering from the war in Ukraine.We thank Ira for this difficult journey, Oksana and Natalia for unfurling the flag at the summit, and everyone who supported the fundraiser during the climb.