The Surreal Experience

Rigzen Dolker

The journey to the highest peak in the world is bound to be anything but surreal, for anyone who has taken this daunting yet fantastic travel, which is worth every difficulty faced, every risk taken, every moment lived. The same is true for those lesser mortals among us who can only read through all of it and this is why it becomes only apt to cover each of these girls’ stories. We are starting with the journey of Rigzen Dolker, but don't assume that we would miss out on other three. The story of journeys of Stanzlin Laskit, Tashi Laskit and Tsering Angmo will be shared by We The Women over the coming weeks. So without further ado let's dive into this real life saga.
Born to Tsetan Tsomo and Late Sonam Norboo, Rigzen Dolker belongs to Nubra (Terchey) Ladakh. Her father died during his service in Army when she was just 12. After his death she made it her goal to be an Army Officer and in pursuance of her target she joined NCC in Government College for Girls Chandigarh.
At present Rigzen is waiting for her graduation to complete and by April 2018 she is expecting to complete her NCC advance course too, after which she is striving to join Indian Army. “I dream to be in uniform, with discipline and respected life, just like my father. And of course to be self reliant and self sufficient,” shares Rigzen.
Becoming a mountaineer was never part of her plan. According to Rigzen, dreaming to reach a destiny not before setting on a path but while you are progressing in it and wishing to achieve something today which you had no idea about yesterday, seems more interesting.
“After I joined NCC, I got selected for mountaineering and there I made through basic training and some expedition; basically collecting more knowledge about something never had any clue of before. I was learning through experiences and drifting because of curiosity and eagerness,” elaborates Rigzen.
It is not from the base-camp that the challenges of the journey to the highest point of this planet begin, it is way before that. Mountaineering is not only physically but mentally challenging as well. It takes immense courage to sign up for the ultimate expedition for which you have to sign up an indemnity bond stating that no one but she would be responsible for her fate, even injury or death.
Rigzen shares, “When I got selected for pre-expedition Mt. Trishul, I was in Leh with my mother. She is very supportive but still refused to let me go, with eyes full of tears. Her inhibition was because of the rumours by neighbours or relatives who’d tell her that if she let me go I will die during expedition and she would lose her only girl. I could understand her pain but I was determined to get through the last technical expedition, so I had to leave her and my younger brother behind, broken hearted. How could I let go of such one-in-the-lifetime opportunity? Despite the odds and even the chances of losing my life, I could not entertain the thought of not pursuing it.”
Talking about the scariest point of the expedition, Rigzen shares that while the team was climbing towards camp 3 and camp 4 which was located on Mt. Lotse which is a 70°-80° wall carrying with them oxygen as well, they were already grinding under the pressure of the challenging climb. Then, one of the Indian Team Sherpa fell down from top of Mt. Lotse near camp 2 and died. It is shuddering to even wonder the trauma the team of these ten young girls must have gone through witnessing the incident.
Rigzen further shares another life threatening situation. When she was about to reach the top of Mt. Everest, at one moment they were all motivating each other and the other minute everybody was climbing and walking in their own speed after getting pumped up. Rigzen’s Sherpa wasn't with her and the less amount of oxygen made her fell asleep for a fraction.
“Motivational words given by my officers, instructors, family and friends were going through my mind. By the grace of god, I realized I have to go further and find my team. Shockingly I opened my eyes and there was no one beside me. It would not have taken longer to get struck by hypothermia and die in my sleep. Fortunately I woke up and swiftly moved further and found my team weaving at me with huge smile which relaxed me,” elaborates Rigzen.
According to Rigzen, reaching on top really feels incredible; the view is spectacular and unbelievable. It engrosses your heart and mind; Blue sky on top, few peaks in middle and clouds like cotton balls beneath you.
Sharing her experience and feelings at the top of the world Rigzen says, “At first I felt relaxed to finally be there. Then I felt enthralled for such great achievement not only for me but everyone who was a part of my journey- especially my mother. That feeling was followed by being grateful to my mother for all her sacrifices, love and support. I remembered my father and tribute my summit to him. Once the excitement fades, sense of responsibility to be back to your loved ones creep in and you feel tensed to be back at base camp without any harm or any infection.”
Rigzen has two Limca world record in her kity and she is looking forward to many more of such achievements. She describes her life simple and dreams extraordinary. According to her, she loves to try everything, take up challenges and strive to excel in them.
Rigzen says that if she could, she would do it again, despite of the challenges. Her message to women out there is to trust yourself because that’s what she believes has brought her so far; as far as the highest point of the world.