Azim Qichisaz has joined the club of eight-thousanders by conquering Lhotse Peak. The Iranian mountaineer had previously succeeded in summiting thirteen peaks over eight thousand meters without the use of oxygen tanks. Lhotse was the fourteenth and final peak recorded by Qichisaz. In past years, he had attempted Lhotse, which stands at 8,516 meters, but an avalanche and adverse weather conditions prevented him from reaching the summit. This mountaineer from Tabriz is listed as the 37th person in the eight-thousander club. He is among the few members of the list who have climbed peaks over eight thousand meters without oxygen tanks and sherpas. In recent weeks, banners supporting Qichisaz have been seen at most group ascents in the Iranian highlands. Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and II, Annapurna, K2, Manaslu, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Shishapangma, Everest, and Lhotse are the 14 eight-thousanders. Hossein Moghadam, Saeed Mirzaei, Iraj Ma'ani, and Mahmoud Hashemi are other Iranian climbers who successfully summited Lhotse in spring 1996. The 35-year-old Qichisaz, having completed the mission he set for himself, plans to experience climbing peaks in Africa and Europe next. Reinhold Messner, an Italian with legendary fame, was the first climber to join the eight-thousander club in 1986, after a seventeen-year effort from his first to his last peak. Kim Chang-ho (South Korea) broke the previous record of 7 years and 11 months held by Kukuczka from Poland, completing the ascent of the 14 peaks in 7 years and 10 months. Before starting his ascent, Qichisaz stated in a press conference: 'The Ministry of Sports is not aware of my ascents. Ask the sports officials of the country if they know? And how much have they been able to support? What share do they have in these ascents and honors?' He told reporters: 'A climber who spends 200 million [IRR] to summit a peak, how much can 10 coins compensate for the expenses? I am a municipal employee and have a salary. We climbers learn from the mountains to live simply.'
Azim Qichisaz Conquers Lhotse Peak
Azim Qichisaz has successfully summited Lhotse Peak, becoming the 37th member of the eight-thousander club. He has previously climbed thirteen peaks over eight thousand meters without supplemental oxygen. This achievement is significant as it highlights the challenges faced by Iranian climbers and their lack of support from the government.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Azim Qichisaz successfully summited Lhotse Peak, becoming the 37th member of the elite eight-thousander club. This achievement marks his fourteenth peak over eight thousand meters, completed without the use of supplemental oxygen.
- Lhotse Peak stands at 8,516 meters, making it one of the highest mountains in the world.
- Qichisaz's ascent was previously hindered by an avalanche and adverse weather conditions.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Mountaineering is a significant sport in Iran, with climbers often facing harsh conditions and limited support. The eight-thousander club is an elite group of climbers who have successfully summited the world's highest peaks.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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