Jun 01 2016.
views 1789Getting to know Jayanthi and Johann..
Jayanthi Kuru - Utumpola and Johann Pieris sat down with Life Online to speak about their journey to the Himalayas. But more importantly we were interested in getting to know them as individuals. Even though they were tired and their bodies are still recovering they were lively and energetic and answered all our questions.
When taking their picture together, there was a picture of a bride in the background. (We met at The Cutting Station, Johann’s salon) I said this may give everyone a wrong idea and they laughed and moved away saying it has already been assumed by many anyway!
How did you meet?
Johann: We actually met through some friends back in 2012. We were both into adventure sports from the time we were small. So when I wanted to consider climbing Everest, a friend of mine introduced me to Jayanthi who wanted to do the same. It has been a long journey since then.
Jayanthi: We started to research and figure out what we needed. We even spoke to people who have peaked Everest to understand what we were getting ourselves into.
How did you prepare and train for it?
Johann: It was a long training process. We had to be very fit. If you came to Independence Square often enough you would have seen me running everyday!
Jayanthi: We even went to mountains like Pithuruthalaga and Kirigalpoththa to train.
Johann: But we did it together, which helped us to keep preparing for the journey ahead.
How did you stay motivated?
Jayanthi: I listened to Pink! My friends arranged around 5 iPods with upbeat and energetic songs for me. This really helped me through the journey.
Johann: I enjoy classical, jazz and blues music. But I did a lot of meditation during the climb to keep myself motivated.
They both pointed out the lack of sports psychologists in Sri Lanka to help prepare and recover from such a journey as this. It takes a lot to build up a strong psyche and stay motivated. They hope their story will raise some awareness.
Biggest challenge whilst you were there?
Waking up at 3 or 4 in the morning to start climbing! We had to make a move before the sun came out because then the ice would start melting. And sometimes we were climbing for around 6 to 8 hours a day.
When I walked in one of the first things I asked Johann was about frostbite and then he showed me his finger which was bandaged to keep it warm. He said he only exposed it for less than a minute!
So I had to ask; how did you go to the toilet?
The first base had nice toilets with seats that kept us warm. By the time they reached the second camp there were only short walls cut out from ice blocks into which you had to squat. You can even look over and say hi to your neighbour! (Bonding at a different level altogether!) The third camp just had a designated area and the final stop had a spot which was at a 70 degree slope! So we had to hold the rope in one hand and do the rest with the other! Mind you the suit and thermal layers take an hour to remove! We just all took an Imodium instead.
What do you love to eat?
Jayanthi: Hoppers, chicken curry and some Kalu Pol. That is what I am looking forward to most right now.
Johann: I love fusion food.
What did you eat there?
Johann: We ate a lot of starch. The food was prepared by the people running the camp. It was a lot of boiled food and energy bars and chocolates. For drinking water they just melted ice off the mountain and put it into out thermostat bottles, which were our only source of warmth in the night.
Jayanthi: I have never slept with a bottle for so long before!
Before they left to the Himalayas they had to eat anything and everything. They had to gain weight to face the journey. But their tastebuds have died off because of the oxygen mask. And they are waiting patiently for it to recover, to put on all what they have lost during the climb!
Jayanthi said she had nothing to wear because all of her clothes are falling off of her!
What do you do in your spare time?
Johann: I love cooking. I really enjoy it. I also love going out and having fun! And I am a bit of a shopaholic. Jay let me take you shopping for some new clothes that fit!
Jayanthi: I am a foodie. So eating is what I enjoy apart from all the adventure sports. I do try to cook and bake as well. I also love chilling at the beach with my friends.
They are both waiting patiently for the weekend and some sunny weather to get away to the beach!
What is your worst fear?
Johann: Snakes! Of any size, colour or kind!
He even shared a story with us about how a friend pranked him with snake skin! He has had it delivered to his doorstep as an important package.
Jayanthi: Cockroaches! The flying ones are the worst. And I can even smell their presence.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Johann: Fun loving. Easygoing. A people person.
Jayanthi: Risk taking. Friendly. Fun loving. Oh and my friends would say that I have a goldfish like memory!
Will you do it again?
No! Maybe some other mountain, definitely not Everest again.
Do you consider this to be your greatest achievement?
Jayanthi: I do. It was a childhood dream of mine. So for me it is definitely the greatest achievement.
Johann: It was definitely a lifechanging experience for me. And I am humbled by the response I have got from people. Some have walked up to me and congratulated me and they even told me that they are glad I decided to turn back without climbing the peak. It was the right decision. It was important for me to make it back alive than taking the risk of running out of oxygen.
What is your advice for those who want to do the same?
Train hard. Research and really understand what you are getting yourselves in to. And we will be there to talk to you if you need any guidance.
Any last words?
Believe in your dreams and live your dream.
Interviewed by Jithendri Gomes
Photographs by Waruna Wanniarachchi
0 Comments
Walker says:
Jun 03, 2016 at 12:00 amCongratulations