Lithuanian mountaineer Saulius Damulevičius was forced to turn back just 400 metres short of the summit of Mount Everest. During his descent, however, the country’s leading climber required assistance and was eventually airlifted by helicopter from Camp Two to a hospital.
Only a handful of climbers attempt to summit Everest without supplemental oxygen each year. Most, however, climb alongside a Sherpa, who helps establish camps, melts water and carries emergency oxygen supplies if needed.
Damulevičius, by contrast, climbs without guides or oxygen support – widely regarded as the most difficult and extreme style of mountaineering.
Two days after setting out from Camp Four at an altitude of 7,900m, Damulevičius attempted to summit Everest without supplemental oxygen or Sherpa support – an achievement considered one of the most difficult feats in mountaineering.
After reaching an altitude of 8,450m, considered a “death zone” due to the lack of oxygen, the climber decided to turn back and return to Camp Four (C4).
