Anchorage, AK, United States, 13th Oct 2025 – Mountaineer and endurance experimenter Tati Posokhina has officially become the First American woman to climb both the Eastern and Western summits of Mount Elbrus in one continuous push, all while fasting completely for five days, consuming only water, herbal tea, and a small amount of honey.
Redefining Human Limits: The “Hunger Ascent” of Elbrus
Mount Elbrus, Europe’s highest peak, has long been known not only for its physical challenges but for testing the limits of mental endurance. In September, Posokhina set out to explore an extreme physiological experiment, to scale both summits of Elbrus without food, relying solely on the body’s adaptive mechanisms and willpower.
Her decision was inspired by Alexander Abramov, founder of the 7 Summits Club, who once conducted a similar fasting ascent to the 5,641-meter Western Summit. Abramov supported Posokhina’s project, offering guidance and technical recommendations, while Alexander Dorozhukov, leader of the expedition, oversaw her attempt.
Posokhina’s objective was not simply to test endurance but to investigate the body’s respiratory efficiency at high altitude and her own long-standing struggle with altitude sickness, a condition that had previously forced her to abandon multiple expeditions.
A Five-Day Journey: Diary of the Hunger Ascent
Day 1.
The expedition began with a group of 20 climbers gathered around a shared meal. Posokhina sat with only tea and honey, her first challenge being psychological, resisting the social habit of eating together.
Day 2.
As the group ascended, her breathing became lighter, her energy steady. Hunger appeared only when others ate.
Day 3.
Her oxygen saturation level reached 97, an unprecedented reading for her. She reported mental clarity and strong energy.
Day 4.
A rest day before the final climb brought vivid food cravings, but her body felt light, powerful, and fully prepared.
Day 5. Summit Push.
At 03:00 a.m., the team began the ascent. The slower initial pace allowed her body to adjust naturally. As the climb progressed, she experienced an overwhelming sense of lightness.
- Eastern Summit (5,621 m): Oxygen saturation held steady at 96, her personal record.
- Western Summit (5,642 m): The traverse took 1.5 hours, including rest and clothing change.
Throughout the climb, she reported no signs of altitude sickness; no headache, no weakness, and unrestricted breathing.
Scientific and Physiological Results
Posokhina’s findings challenge traditional beliefs about high-altitude nutrition. Her observations included:
- Complete absence of altitude sickness.
- Clear, easy breathing and improved oxygenation (96% at summit).
- No fatigue or muscle soreness post-ascent.
- Sustained energy and mental clarity.
- No use of medications, vitamins, or supplements.
According to her, digestion during high-altitude climbs often diverts vital energy and oxygen, while fasting allows her to achieve maximum respiratory efficiency and mental focus.
A Record-Breaking First
This unprecedented achievement marks Posokhina as both the first Russian woman and the first American woman to complete a “hunger ascent” of both Mount Elbrus summits in one continuous climb.
Having previously suffered pulmonary edema and oxygen deprivation on prior expeditions, this climb represented not just a physical triumph but a deeply personal breakthrough. “On Hunger Elbrus,” she reflected, “I proved to myself that I could go farther and higher.”
Beyond the Summit: Unlocking Human Potential
For Posokhina, this ascent transcended athleticism. It became an exploration of how the body’s innate intelligence responds under extreme conditions. “Elbrus showed me that strength doesn’t always come from feeding the body,” she said. “Sometimes it comes from freeing it and trusting its hidden reserves.”
Her “Hunger Ascent” offers new insights for athletes, scientists, and explorers studying fasting, metabolic adaptation, and respiratory resilience at high altitude.
Facts About the Ascent
- Mountain: Mount Elbrus (Caucasus, Russia)
- Summit altitudes: Eastern 5,621 m; Western 5,642 m
- Summit push start: 03:00 a.m.
- Traverse time: 1.5 hours (with rest and clothing change)
- Oxygen saturation at summit: 96%
- Nutrition: Water, herbal tea, honey
- Supplements/medications: None
- Unique distinction: First female “hunger ascent” of both Elbrus summits
About Tati Posokhina
Tati Posokhina is a climber, endurance athlete, and wellness researcher who explores the relationship between human physiology, fasting, and performance at extreme altitudes. Her innovative approach challenges conventional mountaineering nutrition and continues to inspire scientific curiosity about the limits of the human body.
Follow her journey and future expeditions on Social Media.
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/tatiinoregon/#
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/bonntati
For confirmation and coverage of this record, visit the official announcement by 7 Summits Club:
https://7summitsclub.com/newssections/all_1/newssection_517_1/item_19260
Media Contact
Organization: 7 Summits Club LLC
Contact Person: Tati Posokhina
Website: http://www.7summitsclub.com/
Email: Send Email
Contact Number: +19073188848
City: Anchorage
State: AK
Country:United States
Release id:35274
The post Tati Posokhina Becomes the First American Woman to Climb Both Summits of Mount Elbrus in a Single Hunger Ascent appeared first on King Newswire. This content is provided by a third-party source.. King Newswire makes no warranties or representations in connection with it. King Newswire is a press release distribution agency and does not endorse or verify the claims made in this release. If you have any complaints or copyright concerns related to this article, please contact the company listed in the ‘Media Contact’ section
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Emerald Journal journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.