Climber Putri Handayani Struggles to Achieve The Explorer's Grand Slam, May Set Record in Southeast Asia

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian mountain climber Putri Handayani has conquered six of the seven highest mountain peaks in the world and explored the South Pole, making her two steps away from becoming the first woman to achieve the title of The Explorer's Grand Slam in Southeast Asia.

The Explorer's Grand Slam is a title for people who have successfully completed climbing the seven highest mountain peaks on seven continents and exploring the North and South Poles.

Putri Handayani, a woman born in Serdang Bedagai Regency in North Sumatra, has only to conquer Everest Peak and explore the North Pole to complete her mission to realize The Explorer's Grand Slam. "I am grateful that I have been able to complete seven missions and there are only two left, so I will prepare myself as well as possible," she said, in Jakarta, Thursday evening, January 23, 2023.

Putri attended the Press Conference and Sharing Session to discuss her latest achievement, climbing Mount Vinson (4,892 meters above sea level) on the Antarctic Continent.

She explained that the mission to realize The Explorer's Grand Slam began in 2016 because she wanted to encourage Indonesian women to be more involved in climbing activities to build the character of strong women. To achieve this title, she has reached six mountain peaks, namely Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa) and Carstensz Pyramid in Indonesia, respectively in February and August 2016.

Then, in 2017, the University of Indonesia Faculty of Engineering alumnus conquered Mount Elbrus in Russia (Europe). A year later in 2018, he set foot on Mount Aconcagua in Argentina (South America). The last two mountain peaks to be crossed are Mount Denali in the United States (North America) in June 2022 and Mount Vinson.

Putri added that achieving the seven missions required a lot of sacrifices, such as six months of preparation and taking mountain climbing courses to prepare herself. "I am very happy, nervous, and full of emotion to achieve it all. There were many challenges from before starting and during, such as air pressure, weather, physical, mental, and others," he said.

Mount Denali poses the toughest challenge

Putri Handayani said Mount Denali (6,190 meters above sea level) in the United States was her toughest challenge in completing the mission of the first woman to win the title of The Explorer's Grand Slam in Southeast Asia. She considered climbing the mountain three times more difficult than Mount Vinson in Antarctica.

"The challenge is because it is close to the North Pole," said Putri. She views the mountain as very tough to climb because of the high air pressure and difficulty breathing. She also had to be more independent in organizing and lifting the loads to be carried to the top of the mountain.

In addition, the climbing terrain is also quite extreme to traverse so the climb must be done slowly and very carefully which consequently drains energy and tests the mentality. But Putri admits to having her own ways of maintaining a level of 'sanity' in the thin air conditions that make breathing difficult. "Usually I like to remember the small victories that have been achieved to pump up my spirit," she said.

Putri added that the brain or way of thinking will determine the mental and physical ability to achieve tough things. Therefore, she always keeps positive thoughts in every challenge she faces. "If we think negatively, it will quickly turn negative," said Putri. She admits that she always prepares physically six months before starting.

Putri Handayani's Key to Success as a Climber

Putri Handayani revealed three keys for beginner climbers to successfully reach their dreams of conquering the highest mountain peaks in the world. According to her, a climber must have at least three basic things to become a reliable mountaineer: passion, perseverance, and patience.  "I always stick to these three things to pump up my enthusiasm to conquer the peaks of mountains in the world," Putri said in Jakarta on Thursday night.

She explained to start the adrenaline-pumping activity, the initial capital that must be owned is passion. If you don't have passion from the start, it will affect the process or the next steps.

After that, climbers must have persistence, which can be formed by regularly climbing. According to him, many climbers often give up to try again until they succeed. "Don't be afraid to try; don't be afraid to fail. And if you fail, try again; don't give up," he said.

Next, climbers must be patient. Obstacles or barriers often test patience before starting the climb, and while undergoing the climb, she said. "Sometimes, if you haven't found the way because it's not time yet, a climber must learn from the failures," Putri said.

ANTARA | NURDIN SALEH

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