Dainius Makauskas, Father of Lithuanian Mountaineering
Dainius at Camp 2. He was one of the Soviet Unions most accomplished high altitude climbers when I met him during the 1978 Soviet American Exchange Expedition in Tadjikistan.
Dainius Makauskas
Dainius is among the most experienced high altitude moutaineers that I have ever climbed with.
Dainius on top of Dhaulagiri (8167m.)
On the frigid afternoon of October, 31, 1990, Dainius proudly displayed the Lithuanian flag on the summit of Dhaulagiri. Dainius, Nuru Sherpa and I reached the summit together during exceptionally cold weather. (Estimated -40C) This was the last photo of Dainius. He tragically disappeared on the descent less than an hour later.
Myself, at C2, Waiting for Dainius
Nuru and I were severely frostbitten. But maintaining a sliver of hope that he was still descending towards us. We hoped that Dainius could have survived the night without a tent and waited a second night for him in Camp 2. When he did not appear, we were heartbroken.
Dhaulagiri Icefall
Nuru ascends fixed ropes in the icefall. Cliimbing through the Dhaulagiri glacier was slow, tedius travel.
On the Northeast Ridge
Dainius begins ascending the Northeast Ridge of the peak
Thin Air
Nuru and Dainius catch their breath on the summit day, October 31.1990.
Extreme Cold
Dainuus, Nuru and I very near the summit of Dhaulagiri. The extrreme -40C termperature plus the added effect of the altitude deliver the coldest I have ever endured.