Ukrainian climber conquers the highest volcano in North America
7 January 2025 10:56
Ukrainian mountaineer Alevtina Kovalchuk has added another peak to her treasury of achievements – Orisaba Peak in Mexico. It is the highest volcano in North America with a height of 5,636 meters and is known for its difficulty in climbing. The athlete wrote about this on her Instagram account together with the Next Step Ukraine rehabilitation center, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
This summer, Alevtina Kovalchuk became one of 6 Ukrainian women who managed to conquer Everest.
And on the top of Mt. Orisaba, the Ukrainian climber unfurled the flag of the Next Step Ukraine rehabilitation center, which operates in Irpin and provides assistance to soldiers recovering from serious injuries.
“This symbolic step reminds us that together we are able to overcome any peaks. Your support of our Heroes undergoing rehabilitation inspires new victories,” the center said in a post on its social media page.
Alevtina Kovalchuk also shared her personal achievements in conquering peaks over the past year.
“My peaks,” she wrote on her Instagram page and recalled her achievements:
– Papua New Guinea: Mount Giluwe, altitude 4368.
– Chile: Ojos del Salado volcano, altitude 6893. During acclimatization training, she climbed Mount Seven Brothers, 4800 meters high, and Mount Barrancas Blancas, 6119 meters high.
– Argentina: an express ascent of Mount Aconcagua in 5 days with a descent to Mendoza, altitude 6961.
– Nepal: the highest peak in the world, Everest, altitude 8848. The expedition lasts 35 days. Assault on the summit from the base camp and return to the camp in 5 days!
– Mexico: Orisabo volcano, altitude 5636.
Beyond the Mountains Alevtina Kovalchuk is a former deputy of the Bucha District Council, volunteer, public figure, and founder of the We Are All from Ukraine charity foundation.
A few more facts about Ukrainians on Everest
According to 4sport.ua, as of May 2024, 37 Ukrainian climbers (including six women) have made 48 successful ascents of Mount Everest.
25 times Ukrainian climbers climbed the classic route from the south side (Nepalese side) and 21 times the classic route from the north side (Tibetan side); 2 times climbers took a new, non-standard route.
The first Ukrainian climbers on the summit of Everest were: Serhiy Bershov (Merefa, Kharkiv region) and Mykhailo Turkevych (Donetsk) – they climbed on May 4, 1982, as part of the First Soviet Himalayan Expedition.
Iryna Halay (Mukachevo) became the first woman from Ukraine to climb Mount Everest, reaching the summit on May 20, 2016.
Yaroslav Samsonenko (Sumy) became the youngest Ukrainian to reach the summit of Everest – he reached the top on May 19, 2023, at the age of 23 years and 1 day.
The oldest Ukrainian on Everest was Serhiy Bershov – he reached the summit (it was his third ascent of Everest) on May 29, 2005 at the age of 58.
The record holder among Ukrainian climbers is Valentyn Sipavin – he climbed to the top 6 times in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024 (until 2021, the record was held by Serhiy Bershov – he visited the top of the world three times (in 1982, 2000 and 2005).
The record holder among women is Antonina Samoilova, who has climbed to the top 3 times: in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
