On the 10th November 2017, the Croatian Expedition team successfully completed their acclimatisation in the Himalayas, the first step towards their world record of ‘the highest dive with breath in the world.’
Over the weekend, the five-member team of the Croatian Himalayan Expedition landed in the city of Pokhara, Nepal, after a successful first stage of the expedition which was the task of acclimatising divers to reduced oxygen conditions. They spent last week in Annapurna National Park at altitudes of 4500 metres are just preparing for a trip to the Northern part of Annapurna, where divers Lidija Lijić, world and European champion and Vitomir Maričić, Croatian extreme athlete, both Croatian diving representations of breath, try to set the record for the highest dive with breath in the world (read more about the expedition here).
“It was great to be back in the Himalayas, we had a good acclimatisation. The mountains are so beautiful and have been marked with beautiful views all around. The climb has exhausted me so I will come to the free-day to recuperate. At 4200 m the lake was quite cold and frozen, so we need to think about the temperature that will overtake us over 5000 m and how we will get into our suits and out of them without risking freezing.” – Lidija Lijić, diver
Due to the extremely unpaved roads to the region where the lake is situated, it is still uncertain how the team will arrive at the desired location, the access of this route changes daily, depending on the rains and can be passed only by 4x4.
“Our ambitious schedules have been changed a little, but we have a plan B and C, of course. In such projects, we need to be flexible and we are still on the right track, the weather is stable and we still have time to achieve the result. We have been making tremendous efforts and ascending heights so far which means everything will go easier on D-Day, where there is less difficult terrain as such but still over 5000 m above sea level. The most important thing is for everyone to come to the lakes healthy and safe, I do not doubt good results once there.” – Vitomir Maričić, diver
“During the ascension, the basic vital parameters of all expedition members were regularly controlled and oxygen saturation and minor problems were expected to be over 3000 m. AMS signs, apart from headaches and increased fatigue, did not exist. I was surprised by the big difference between morning and evening temperatures of 25 degrees or more; in some areas, it was extremely difficult but worth seeing because in that effort a man manages to spend a little time with himself.” – Viktor Ivaniš, expedition physician
The Himalayas offers fantastic views and opportunities for shooting and photography but this is another additional problem that needs to be addressed by tandem Šoić-Maričić, who plan to create a set of photo materials and two shorter documentaries. Given the terrain, weather conditions, the possibility and the availability of electricity and light, and the very fact that everything is heavier than usual, this may be their hardest production so far.
"The scenes on the way to the top are fascinating and it's a pity not to capture them with a camera once we have a chance. However, lack of oxygen at these heights is a real problem even when performing basic functions such as walking. In such circumstances, it is really difficult to focus on the use of photo equipment, framing, composition. The only thing that puts you at such a moment is the idea that this is perhaps the only chance to record the moment and that the next might not be any more "- Vladimir Šoić, photographer
Good luck to the Expedition team, we are all waiting with bated breath…
"Here on slopes of Annapurna I always realize how beautiful this World is. Dream.Travel. Explore." - Lidija Lijic
