The "7 Peaks" Club is a wellknown mountaineering club whose members climb peaks on all continents, including Everest. It is precisely in the highlands of the Himalayas and on the slopes of Everest that the snow leopard’s habitat lies — and the animal has become a symbol of the mountaineering title. The snow leopard lives at altitudes of up to 5,000−6,000 metres, among rocks and snow, and is able to withstand severe frosts thanks to its thick fur. It has even been recorded on the southern slopes of Everest, in Sagarmatha National Park. On most of Nepal’s 7,000metre peaks, these rare cats are just as much "local residents" as the climbers following their routes there.
Their very existence in such extreme conditions is a daily feat of endurance, akin to a mountaineering achievement. It is no coincidence that the "Snow Leopard" title in mountaineering is so closely linked to the reallife irbis: both conquer peaks in places where survival is nearly impossible.
That is why yesterday’s event was particularly symbolic. The Irbis Association supported and took part in the premiere of the film "Cosmic Everest". Together with the "7 Peaks" Club and VK Sport, we prepared a themed photo zone where guests could feel closer to the peaks where snow leopards live.
As part of the event, Darya Petrova, Director of the Irbis Association, presented a special professional award from Irbis to the distinguished mountaineer Alexey Lonchinsky. The award recognised his achievement of climbing the five 7,000metre peaks of the former USSR and earning the honourable "Snow Leopard" title.
We congratulate our colleagues on this significant accomplishment and on how vividly and honestly they showed on screen just how challenging it is to face the trials of the mountains: the weather, the cold, the ice, and the incredibly difficult routes. Our inspectors work in similar conditions, and that makes us especially proud. We thank our colleagues from the "7 Peaks" Club and VK Sport for inviting us to take part, and we look forward to continuing our cooperation!