THE MOUNTAIN HAS CHANGED MY LIFE AND MADE ME HAPPIER PERSON – MISKO TANESKI, MOUNTAINEER

Although sometimes mountain peaks seem unreachable, there are people for whom this unreachability is a challenge, to master it, to get it, to win it. Every mountain, every peak has its own story. Nature is marvelous, did not made anything identical. There are no two same mountains, two same peaks, two same paths that leads to them. To master the imperfect in a perfect way and a way that will allow you to reach the heights and safely return to your beloved ones is the challenge that our today’sinterlocutor dedicated his life to. Inspired by his determination-the mountains exclusively for Glass Full, today we are talking with Misko Taneski from Ohrid, husband and father of two children, by professionpostal worker, in the soul and in the heart, mountaineer.

1. Whendid your love for the mountains began and when you started with climbing?

I have been hiking for 12 years. It started in 2006 after a long persuasion from my friends to make a walk after for us, the Ohrid residents, the local mountain Galicica. I really did not intend to go, with the fact that I had previously dealt with football in my life, after which I was firmly resolved that I would not engage in any other physical activity, although I walk all my life, swim, and ride a bicycle. Still he convinced me, and after the first visit I felt a great freedom, it was so new and magnificent, I enjoyed the beautiful sights, I felt some kind of dominance over all, I felt that the great effort, as for the first ascent, turned into a great pleasure.

2. What is your greatest achievement?

   After several mountaineering, at the very beginning, and especially since I began with everyday trainings, I wanted to climb some lot higher mountains. Among my friends was, unfortunately, now the deceased Mile Bitrak, for whom I can freely say that he was my mentor. In 1980 he climbed Mont Blanc and as a target I chose that peak. I started to prepare myself and in the summer of 2008 I managed to climb the top 4810 m high. After that I went to Kilimanjaro- (5895 m), the Himalayas (8848 m), the Andes (6961 m), the Caucasus Mountains (5642 m), the Pamir Mountains (7495 m) and so I have passed almost all higher massifs in the world.

The highest peak I have won is Iceland Peak (ImjaTse 6189 m) in the Himalayas at a height of 6189 m. And the highest altitude is 6400 m in the Aconcagua. During my mountaineering experience, however, I learned that the top is not always the primary goal. The relationship and approach to the mountain were my first goal when I started with climbing. You know, there is often a question about who is the best mountaineer in the world, my answer is always the same, “The best one is the one who knows how to entertain.”

3. Briefly, how does a climb look like?

So, when we are talking about climbing, wethink of climbing a mountain regardless of its height and weight. Finding theeasiest path, which is very simple today with the help of the Internet, completing the necessary equipment, from the feet upwards depending on the season, estimation of the climbing time and accordingly a certain quantity of food and water is taken. The climb starts early in the morning so you can enjoy all day at the mountain as much as you can. When talking about high-rise actions then the preparation is much more complicated, and the approach of the mountain is more difficult, which requires several days of acclimatization and preparation for living in the base camps, which is very different from the ordinary and the urban life.

4. How important is the psychological advantage versus physical?

   For me, and I believe for all other mountaineers, especially those who prefer high mountain hiking, psychological fitness is a primary factor. I have almost everyday training for 12 years and I can say that I am in excellent physical condition, although I am 46 years old. I want to say that with hard training you get to the condition necessary for mountain climbing. While psychological fitness is a more complicated. The absence from home for one month, living in the base camps, the dangers of the mountains that are of serious character, they do their own.Only the toughest people manage to overcome some temptations that you can experience at a height of over 5000 m. Peaks above 5000 m are climbed with brain, not with feet. There you are “sentenced” to freedom. There you are so free that in the circle of people who love you and those who care about you, you remain lonely. I can freely say that when I am up in the mountains, my mind is at home, and when I am at home, my mind is in the mountains.

5. Are there any natural predispositions that a mountain climber should possess?

   When we talk about predisposition, we can say that the most important thing is the mountaineer to be healthy. I am telling this about the high mountain climbing’s where temperatures are up to -25 degrees and where the oxygen is 50% less compared to the one we inhale at our altitudes. Only a healthy mountaineer can survive in such an adventure. Otherwise, on the lower mountains of our country, the doors are open to all lovers of nature. I can freely say starting from my example, on a mountain even the ill person gets recover, and I claim that the mountain can solve every problem. The clean air, the beautiful scenery, the people you meet on the mountains make life more beautiful and happier, you cannot find a bad person on a mountain.

6. What is your motivation during difficult psychophysical moments during a climb?

   Whenever I go to big expeditions which take up to one month, as I said the main factor is the psychological state. Who will tell you that it is all the same, certainly does not tell the truth. The distance from home, nostalgia and the thought of the family are doing their own. Lately, probably because of my experience, I’m somehow trained to direct my mind to what I have to do on the mountain. At the last expedition of Grossglockner 3798 m this summer I found myself and my partner Filip Vasileski- Cetkar in a great temptation, the death was too close. I felt that at one point I was alone in the world, that I did not have a family or some loved ones, and I managed to concentrate on this dramatic descent from the top, which for great luck ended successfully. So the mind is directed towards the mountain, towards the activity that we have to do on that day, and in the moments of rest, of course, the motivation is that someone is around you and that you have to be strong. The very idea that your children are proud of what you do, makes you great and strong.

7. What are the preparations for climbing?

   As I said, I train almost 12 years, each day. Running, cycling, swimming, fitness, and compulsory climbing once a week are my lifestyle all these years. To climb a high mountain first, it needs to be studied. The way you should approach, the length of the climb, the weight and the dangers are the first things you need to know. After that, physical training begins. As I enumerated my activities, it should be applied by every mountaineer who intends to climb high altitudes. Discipline is the number one rule in this sport. Only discipline and patience bring you to success. Food is rule number 2. Right and healthy diet that keeps your weight and strength of the body is certainly a factor that must not be forgotten. You know, very often after work, we are tired or we do not have the desire for training. Many people have a habit of going to bed in the afternoon, some are accustomed to a dynamic night life, and even when I have these symptoms, thanks to the great will I easily overcome them and I go to training. Regular life is also one of the factors for a good mountaineer. I’ve spent too much in my life as a young man, but today I live a very sporty life with rare night outings and going in bed latest by 23:00o’clock. The freshness that I feel in the morning after a good sleep makes me even more humble and powerful. Mountains changed my life and I can say that I became happier person.

8. You mentioned that SKOPSKO climbed Kilimanjaro, tell us more about this?

   Јust like that, SKOPSKO reached the top Kilimanjaro 5895 m. In 2009 I decided to go to the highest peak of Africa, Kilimanjaro. Certainly, these expeditions are very expensive. Then Mr. KoleskiKire from Ohrid, as a distributor of Pivara Skopjesponsored my journey. I came to the idea to open a beer at the top. So, when I got up I did it, I opened one SKOPSKO for me at the top of the mountain and the other was for the Rangers who have been there with me and were surprised by the great taste of SKOPSKO.For that expeditions and all the rest later, I use this opportunity to thank Pivara Skopje team and Kire.

9. How much mountain the climbing is developed in Macedonia?

   I can say that mountaineering is a very active topic in our country. Many mountain lovers are more often up there between the heights, where the eternal ruler-the nature dictates the conditions. It is very pleasing to me especially now because on the mountain people who did not event looked at Galicica. They are now enjoying the beautiful scenery. However, I must say that many unready mountaineers are overestimating themselves and go in some dangerous actions without any experience. Appeal to them, however, to be careful and to plan the activity within their possibilities, to avoid some unwanted consequences. However, the mountain is for enjoyment. There the effort should be your pleasure, to breathe clean air, to admire the sightings and to be happy, that is the formula for a healthy and long life.

10. What are your next plans?

    Given that mountaineering is an activity you do whileyour legs are holding your body, and the best years are from 40 to 55, I can say that I’m still at the beginning.Ofcourse, I have plans forthe future, but it is not always easy to find fees for the expensive expeditions. But, as always with the help of my friends and sponsors, I am sure that I will realize them. I still have not decided which destination, but I will choose quite fast. My first plan is in Europe more precisely the Matterhorn 3744 m peak with several other peaks in the Alps, but as I said that I am still at the beginning, I will certainly have a plan in the future for other high-rise actions through the high mountain massifs in the world.