The Madswimmer team who attempted The Sky is the Limit swim triumphantly arrived at a camp in Kagkot in the Himalayas on Sunday, marking their reconnection with civilization and their first steps on solid ground after returning by helicopter from a grueling 15-day ascent on the icy slopes of Mt Putha Hiunchuli in the Himalayas. Their mission was to complete the highest altitude swim ever recorded.
The team achieved this ambitious goal on Friday at an altitude of 6 405 m. They surpassed the previous record of 6 370 m set by Australian Dan Bull in the Andes Mountains in South America, thus shifting the highest swim record to a new continent under challenging conditions.
Jean Craven, expedition leader and founder of Madswimmer, noted that the trek to the swim site was the most arduous part of the journey. Following three flights and a nerve-wracking 17-hour Jeep ride along steep cliffs, the team embarked on a 138 km uphill trek that lasted 15 days. With the aid of 18 sherpas and a caravan of 35 donkeys and yaks, they transported over a ton of equipment and supplies essential for their survival. They faced harsh icy conditions, battling wind and snow, and navigated treacherously near crevasses that threatened to collapse beneath them.
“The last accessible liquid (swimmable) water was found at 4 900 m,” recounted Craven while describing the swim.
“To achieve a world record, we needed to venture higher and create a suitable swimming environment at 6 405 m. We carved out a swimming hole in the ice and melted ice in large drums that preserved the liquid water overnight. The swimming hole was covered under a tent canvas to prevent refreezing at night. The next morning, we removed the canvas, filled the ice hole with the liquid water we preserved, and took turns swimming in it for about three minutes each, wearing speedos only. The water was chillingly cold at 3.7 °C, with the outside temperature at minus six.”
The expedition was conducted with a commitment to environmental stewardship. After their historic swim, the water was carefully returned to the mountain, where it refroze.
Dr Chiara Baars, the team doctor, diligently monitored the members’ vital signs and general health throughout. Oxygen levels were measured in the morning, and again at night, and it was interesting observing how sleep aided their acclimatisation overnight.
Despite most team members lacking experience in high-altitude climbing, none suffered severe shortness of breath or other altitude symptoms. Three members took medication to facilitate acclimatisation, which was discontinued as they began their descent. Post-swim, everyone was warmed in heated tents, dressed in warm clothes covered with hot water bottles, ensuring their bodies recovered well from the extreme cold.
The team emphasised that their expedition aimed to witness and document the impacts of climate change. They encountered alarming signs, like running water appearing nearly 5 000 m above sea level. The solid ice is crucial for binding the soil in these frigid zones. The melting of it threatens devastating landslides and mudslides that could obliterate communities.
With global awareness campaigns initiated by Nepalese tourism and the vivid documentation by Madswimmer, the team hopes to spark meaningful discussions and highlight the urgent need to address climate change.
Also part of the goal with this record breaking swim, was to raise funds for the adolescent oncology unit at the Universitas Academic Annex Hospital in Bloemfontein and the Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town.
Alicia Sherriff, head of the oncology department at Universitas, said that this was wonderful way to support their passion to develop a teenage oncology centre for children and teenagers with cancer.
“We are thankful that the swimmers are safe and that they achieved a new record for the country, as well as for children with cancer.”
