Denis Urubko is at it again. Yesterday, the Kazakh strongman and Sergi Mignote came to the assistance of Saulius Damulevicius of Lithuania on the Gasherbrum Glacier. And this morning, he also assisted a Pakistani climber on the same glacier.
Damulevicius was suffering from pulmonary edema, and his climbing partner Natalia Zenina was unable to help.
Urubko and Mingote left Base Camp at 10am and reached the ailing climbers within an hour. The duo shepherded the Lithuanian down, reaching Base Camp by 3pm. Damulevicius was then evacuated by helicopter.
After the rescue, Urubko said, “We were ready for the worst.Tent, oxygen.”
Just call me doctor. Photo: Denis Urubko
This is Urubko’s second and third rescue in the past five days, after helping extract Francesco Cassardo on Gasherbrum VII (6,955m) earlier this week.
Lowering the stricken Pakistani climber in a makeshift sled, together with Sergi Mignote and others. Photo: Denis Urubko
About the Author
Ash Routen
Ash is an outdoor and adventure writer from the UK. He juggles a day job as a public health scientist with a second career in outdoor writing.
His words have featured in national newspapers, international magazines, and on various websites. Major bylines include Financial Times, Daily Telegraph, Porsche, Outside Magazine, Rock and Ice, and Red Bull.
He holds two degrees in Exercise and Health Sciences, and a PhD in Public Health.
His areas of expertise are polar expeditions, mountaineering, hiking, and adventure travel. In his spare time Ash enjoys going on small independent sledding expeditions, outdoor photography, and reading adventure literature.
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This man, Denis Urubko, is the epitome of what climbing is all about. Unselfishly going to the aid of others in need. Kudos Sir, for showing the rest of us how it’s done!
This guy is such awesome
Urubko ROCKS!!! Such an outstanding man.
Last year when I heard that Urubko had abandoned his team during the winter expedition of K2 to try a solo ascent, I was very concerned by his selfish behaviour.
But for what he has achieved during the last days and last year at Nanga, when he and Bielecki rescued Elisabeth Revol, he deserves my recognition.
Thanks for sharing Ash.
Go Denis and Sergi ….Nice to see some climbers out there who still have a moral compass…RESPECT