Alberto “Cala” Cimenti, Successful Ascent of Communism Peak

Published by Mountainblog on 08/28/2015.

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First in the world to ski down its slopes and first Italian to win the prestigious Snowleopard award.
On August 19 at 3 pm Carlalberto ‘Cala ‘ Cimenti – mountaineer from Pragelato (Turin, Italy) – successfully reached the top of Communism Peak, thus becoming the first Italian ever to receive the Snowleopard award and the first in the world to descend from this summit on skis.

The award, issued by the Russian Mountaineering Federation, is granted only to mountaineers who climb all the peaks over 7,000 m in the area of the former Soviet Union.

Cala’s Snowleopard project started in the summer of 2013. Then the intention of Cimenti was to climb these five mountains in just two months and, when possible, to ski down them.The attempt succeeded in part, he reached the summits of Peak Lenin, Khan Tengri and Peak Korjenekaya but missing the top of Pobeda and Communism Peak by a whisker. During last summer, the project was enhanced by summiting Pobeda on August 13, 2014. On July 22, 2015 Cala started for Tajikistan aiming to climb Communism Peak at 7,495 m, also called Pik Ismail Somoni.

Unfortunately the expedition did not have the most promising start. Due to severe flooding in the South of Tajikistan the helicopter flight from Djirghita to base camp was postponed to August 2. The delay seriously compromised the period of acclimatization necessary for the climber to reach the summit.

“Faced with this tragedy, you can’t get angry about the fact that we cannot take a helicopter in on a prearranged day. There is still a sense of frustration and helplessness at being unable to pursue my project in the best possible way. Arriving at base camp on August 2, there will be less than 17 days for acclimatization and the attempt on the summit. It will certainly be difficult and exhausting but I will give my all, one step after another, as I have always done ….”

Finally reaching the base of Communism Peak and having spent a few days at high altitude in the advance camps to accustom the body to the altitude, on August 14 Cala returned to base camp to make preparations for the critical week. On that very day Cala took part in an emergency rescue in which, together with other climbers in the camp, he managed to bring to safety a Russian youngster missing for 8 days.

On August 16 Cala finally departed from base camp (4,200 m) and in four days successfully reached the top of Communism Peak at 7,495 m, so becoming the first Italian Snowleopard.In parallel with the expedition, filming “The Italian Snowleopard” had already started. It is a short docu-video designed and created by Pillow Lab and produced in collaboration with Ferrino and Cébé.

To relive the main stages of this adventure seek #ItalianSnowleopard on Facebook and follow the links:
Snowleopard Ski Project https://www.facebook.com/pages/Snowleopard-Ski-Project/425097330917221
Ferrino Outdoor www.facebook.com/ferrinooutdoor
Cébé www.facebook.com/CebeAddict
To follow the reporting on the expedition: #ItalianSnowLeopard

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