Hyderabad’s Anurag Nallavelli scaled Dhaulagiri and Manaslu peaks with out supplemental oxygen

Anurag Nallavelli during his mountaineering expedition to scale Dhaulagiri, Nepal

Anurag Nallavelli throughout his mountaineering expedition to scale Dhaulagiri, Nepal
| Picture Credit score: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

On April 9, Anurag Nallavelli summited Dhaulagiri mountain vary in Nepal, the seventh highest mountain on the earth at 8167 metres above sea stage. In September 2021, he summited Manaslu peak, 8163 metres above sea stage. The Hyderabadi accomplished each expeditions with out utilizing supplemental oxygen. As a be aware of warning, it’s crucial so as to add that this requires analysis and coaching to know how one responds to excessive altitudes with out supplemental oxygen.

Anurag’s motivation to not depend on supplementary oxygen got here when he learn the experiences of mountaineer Ed Viesturs: “The guide No Shortcuts to the Prime: Climbing the World’s 14 Highest Peaks (by Ed Viesturs and David Roberts) impressed me.” Anurag went via excessive altitude coaching in Oregon, United States, and says, “Every mountaineer’s physique adapts in another way to excessive altitude situations. I learn up and skilled earlier than taking over such a technique. Carrying an oxygen cylinder or bottles would have meant extra weight. In case of malfunctioning of oxygen gear, mountaineers should return to the bottom.”

Anurag Nallavelli

Anurag Nallavelli
| Picture Credit score:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Anurag moved to the USA in 2015 to pursue his masters in data expertise and later started working as a software program engineer. “I used to be not an outdoor particular person whereas in Hyderabad, besides enjoying cricket with buddies.”  

A backpacking journey with a good friend In 2018 was the turning level. Quickly, he was “a weekend warrior”, flying out on Friday evenings from his base in Michigan and returning to work on Monday mornings.

The pandemic modified his life-style additional. He was on a snowboarding journey in California when the US imposed a lockdown: “A good friend and I needed to keep put on the Love Creek Sanctuary in California the place we had checked into an Airbnb lodging; we didn’t know the way lengthy the lockdown would final. The couple that managed the animal sanctuary allowed us to remain and requested if we are able to chip in and work with the animals. We learnt loads. We additionally had our work laptops and logged in remotely.”

Ever since, the sanctuary has been Anurag’s base and he gave up the Michigan residence. Intermittently throughout the pandemic, he went on mountain climbing journeys in Colorado and linked with mountaineering lovers. The rising curiosity in mountaineering expeditions took him to coaching services in Oregon and Colorado. He skilled for six months and climbed Denali, the very best mountain vary in North America in Might 2021. “The expedition was anticipated to be of three weeks length, however I accomplished it in 11 days. I needed to do extra.”

Anurag Nallavelli captures a stunning moment during the expedition

Anurag Nallavelli captures a shocking second throughout the expedition
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

He skilled additional to know how far he may push himself in powerful situations. The mountain climbing and mountaineering expeditions additionally modified his dietary habits.

Anurag turned vegan, stays away from added sugar and follows intermittent fasting when not on an expedition. He mentions that he was a meat eater and social drinker earlier.

Mountaineering has additionally taught him to dwell with fewer issues: “I now not have an residence or a automobile within the US. I transfer from one place to a different for hikes and expeditions and quickly stick with family and friends. Residing out of backpacks, I’ve realized how little we really have to dwell.” Working remotely has additionally helped the nomadic life-style.

Anurag is now in Hyderabad to spend time together with his household and is already trying ahead to extra mountaineering expeditions from September. Whereas descending from Dhaulagiri, he misplaced his backpack and a glove and suffered frostbites. “I have to relaxation and recuperate earlier than the subsequent season.”

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