Himlung Himal: Speed Ski Expedition with Benedikt Böhm

Himlung Himal – The Challenge

Two friends of the extreme and a common goal

9 hours and 39 minutes: The DYNAFIT managing director intends to climb the 7,126-meter Himlung in a Speed ski expedition together with local mountaineer and DYNAFIT athlete Prakash Sherpa – and once again set a new benchmark when it comes to speed on the mountain! On 4th September at 2 a.m., the two extreme mountaineers started out on this rarely traveled route and less than 7 hours they stood on the summit. Subsequently they skied down to base camp again, where they arrived at 11.39 a.m. For the 2,546 meters of vert and 20 kilometers, they needed am amazing total of just 9 hours and 39 minutes – a new record in Himlung’s history. Beni and Prakash pushed the limits of time!

Speed ascent in support of WWF initiatives

In addition to the mental and physical challenges of the expedition, it is above all serving a good cause: This region with its unique alpine landscape is particularly dear to Beni, who is a WWF ambassador for the Himalaya region. For years now, WWF Germany has advocated for the protection and preservation of the ecosystem there as well as the livelihood of the local people. With that in mind, the extreme athletes are combining with their stay in Nepal with a visit to various municipalities and regional WWF initiatives – among them a tiger protection program and a development program for people in the buffer zone.

On the same note, Beni has created the Helping Band initiative in partnership with WWF Germany – a wristband that enables those wearing it to make a statement for the environment and to contribute directly. Specifically, a minimum of 50 euro cents from the sale of each band goes to WWF. Moreover, Helping Band will donate a minimum of 50,000 euro to the WWF, regardless of wristband sales.

Himlung is northeast of the Annapurna region, northwest of Manaslu and on the border of Tibet. After their approach through the greenest parts of Nepal, they reach base camp at 4,850 meters elevation. From there, the route to the peak heads through snow and ice across the northwest ridge. Normally mountaineers for this type of project plan on stays at up to three high camps during which time they are at altitude for about two days.

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Nestled between the two eight-thousanders, Annapurna and Manaslu, and directly on the Nepalese border, is where Himlung Himal can be found and that is Benedikt “Beni” Böhm’s next goal.