Adventurer Sarah Hannibal Heads For Unclimbed Peaks In Kyrgyzstan
Adventurer Sarah Hannibal is to undertake one of the toughest challenges of her life – a ski mountaineering expedition to a largely unexplored area of Kyrgyzstan to attempt eight first ascents and multiple first ski descents in the Ak-Shirak range.
Sarah was Female British Telemark Champion in 2010 and 2011 and since then has undertaken increasingly challenging mountaineering expeditions, frequently joining Royal Marine excursions
Next month’s trip to Kyrgyzstan is to an area which has had very little mountaineering activity. Base camp will be at 3,700m and the mountains are in the 4-5,000m range and conditions are expected to be harsh
Sarah, aged 33 and from Theydon Bois in Essex, said: “There are unclimbed and un-skied mountains throughout the area with impressive glaciated terrain around too. Our aim is to come back alive and as friends, having had a great adventure making first ascents and ski descents, as well as not having left a footprint on the environment, just our ski tracks.
“What spurs me on is the opportunity to do something completely different, somewhere completely different and unknown.
The team of three women and seven men includes semi and professional skiers and mountaineers. The trip is being organised by those who have done expeditions in Kyrgyzstan before.
Everything will be documented by a professional adventure photographer and filmmaker who is planning to make a documentary.
Sarah is an actuary working in Zurich and spends all her spare time training by hiking, skiing and climbing. She supported her telemark racing career working in the Austrian ski resort of Ischgl and for seven years worked as a ski instructor for the Snow Sports Academy Ischgl.
Although Sarah is covering much of the expedition costs herself, she is seeking sponsorship including the supply of the specialist clothing and equipment needed. Articles will be published both on and offline and sponsors credited.
