Our People Abroad: A Native of Naryn Went to South America and Conquered One of the Seven "Summits of the World"
Aconcagua, standing at 6962 meters, is the highest peak in South America and holds several altitude titles. This mountain is the highest point in Argentina and South America, as well as the tallest mountain in the western and southern hemispheres, and overall outside of Asia.
Many unofficially refer to it as the "Colossus of America," and it is included in the list of the "Seven Summits," the highest peaks of various parts of the world.
Aisada Asanovna Uchugenova was born in 1977 in the village of Cholok-Kayin, which is part of the Ala-Bugyn rural district of the Ak-Talinsky district. She is married and raises a son. Her husband, Karsten König, is a German national, a Doctor of Medical Sciences, and a professor.
She holds a doctorate in biomedical sciences and works as an academic consultant at Saarland University in Germany, as well as the director of science at a company developing innovative biomedical equipment.
In an interview with Turmush, Aisada shared that she has been living in Germany for about 20 years. "I came here for scientific work at the Fraunhofer Institute, a well-known institution in the field of applied research. I also lived in America, where I collaborated with Professor Robert Hoffman. Later in Germany, I started a family and stayed here, defending my doctoral and professorial dissertations. I have published 85 works in international scientific journals on topics such as genetic engineering, nanotechnology, and laser technologies. In my free time, I enjoy playing the piano, running, traveling, and exploring cultures. I have visited six continents and about 80 countries," she shared.
Aisada's interest in mountaineering arose while working in Bishkek with academician Almaz Aldashev. "He was researching blood pressure in high-altitude conditions. When I came for an internship at the cardiology center, he invited me to join his team. We conducted several studies under the guidance of Professor Turgunbai Kadyraliev, and I realized how popular this topic is. I wondered how climbers ascend to heights without fear for their health. And so on January 15, I decided to test this for myself," she recounted.
Previously, Aisada had climbed to heights of 3600 to 4000 meters on the Ak-Sai and Enilchek glaciers. "Then I conquered Adam's Peak in Sri Lanka (height 3000 meters), Zugspitze in Germany (2962 meters), Grossglockner in Austria (3800 meters), the Klein Matterhorn in Switzerland (3883 meters), Kazbek in Georgia (5054 meters), and Fansipan in Vietnam (3150 meters). The last peak was Aconcagua," she said.
According to her, climbing to heights of 2000 to 4000 meters felt like meditation. "I ascend to heights and enjoy nature. But climbing to heights above 5000 meters is entirely different. I say, 'Mountains educate us.' It tests our physical and emotional strength. The process of climbing is more important than reaching the summit itself. Statistically, only 50% of climbers reach Aconcagua. In our group of eight, only four remained, among whom were experienced climbers. My husband, who had previously climbed to heights of 8000 meters, was with us, but he had to stop at 6200 meters due to breathing problems. He urged me to continue: 'Climb for Kyrgyzstan.' One of our American climbers stopped at 6600 meters due to dizziness," she recalls.
Aisada added that at heights up to 5000 meters, in case of an emergency, a helicopter can be called, but above 6000 meters, this is impossible. "This is one of the reasons why many climbers lose their lives in the mountains. I have visited about 80 countries, and the residents of some of them do not know about Kyrgyzstan. But those who have been there speak enthusiastically about our culture and hospitality. Many dream of seeing our mountains and ask if it is safe to come. I always reply that Kyrgyzstan is a safe country," she concluded.
Gallery: Aisada Uchugenova
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