The Last Ascent of The Ukrainian Mountaineering Prodigy: MARIA KHITRIKOVA’S DEATH ON ELBRUS

Maria Khitrikova, the daughter of the famous Soviet climber Vladimir Khitrikov, was truly a rising star of female mountaineering with a few eight-thousanders under her belt by the time she was 21. However, on March 2, 2012, Maria tragically died on the descent from Mount Elbrus while trying to save two teammates that lagged behind. What went wrong for Masha on that ill-fated day?
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[@ArchiesArchive]

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[@sandrakiefler4649]

Wait……what!?🤨 I’m so confused. The description says that she died in 2012? But in the video you mention that she was a junior in 2021!? Am I missing something here my dude? 😅

[@medea27]

Maria was clearly a strong & insightful young woman, and I'm particularly struck by her observation about passions like mountaineering... it's a love that you pursue _'despite'_ rather than _'because.'_ I can't imagine how exhausted she must have been, trying to get two incapacitated men down that mountain to safety... how many times they slipped and Maria had to arrest the fall of _three_ people by herself in the worst possible conditions. She was so damn close too. Thank you for sharing her story, and rest in peace Maria 🤍

[@Duckling08]

Peaks and mountains don't submit to people, that is laughable. The peaks and mountains merely let you pass unharmed, if you're humble and lucky. Get cocky and your likely hood of dying increases dramatically.

[@FluffyFerretFarm]

Well said

[@kinseybruno5920]

Could not agree more

[@ritid69]

I’ve mountain skied the same route here in Norway many times, training to ski the Haute route, every time I had massively different experiences, the mountains fear no man and will never be “conquered”

[@mauricedavis2160]

Point, set and match my friend, couldn't have said it any better!!!🙏😢🏔️❣️

[@jakobquick6875]

😂who said that? Must @ been Trump, he’d definitely say that stupid shit, and the sheep would scream, “trump conquered it”❤ 😅

[@frankblangeard8865]

10:10 "There were eleven people with her". On technical climbs a ratio of one guide for every two people is considered good. One guide for eleven people is way beyond asking for trouble...it is begging for trouble.

[@bosco4890]

If she hadn't felt the responsibility to other climbers, as I recall she was guiding,, she surely would have survived

[@divinecommerce3912]

11 Climbers was way too much responsibility for anyone! Tragic overestimation of ability in the face of weak beta males on the team who dragged her down with them...

[@cleopatra1633]

Weak beta males? In reality most women are the ones being physically unfit to climb mountains and men risk their lifes to save them in most all cases. It is women that are a liability, that is the reality and being proven by facts.@@divinecommerce3912

[@Whyusemyname]

@@divinecommerce3912have you climbed any 7000 meter mountains recently? If not, your beta male comment might be a bit ignorant. I don’t think anyone’s social status has much to do with having trouble getting down the mountain in a blizzard. That was the guides fault for leading them into that situation.

[@listrahtes]

She was still a beginner regarding experience. You need many years to develop a healthy self assessment ability. Life happens. Her tragedy is sad but it happens in these heights. Regarding Kutzi I highly doubt him just getting her phone. Most possible he took it of her injured body. Mountaneers have done some horrible stuff.

[@Simp_Zone]

Yay more Archie! Always enjoy your videos bro. Keep it up :) Edit: The girl you get to do the women's quotes has a lovely voice and does a really good job. Though her voice will always remind me of the heartbreaking Lenin peak tragedy :(

[@ArchiesArchive]

Thank you watching!

[@thejam77]

oh yes i completely agree! i’ll probably never forget the lenin peak tragedy, i think it was the first video i saw of archie. such a tragedy. i love the woman’s voice too, and archie’s as well. they both fit the setting of mountaineering in a way. i don’t think i can watch videos of other youtubers on mountaineering, i associate their voices too much with this topic 😅

[@robynleckner2821]

What an amazing woman! As was her mother.

[@jarrodbarker5050]

Dead and dead.

[@pakde8002]

That mountain has killed so many people even though it's not the tallest or most technically challenging. The usual reason is the unpredictable weather. Mountains similar to this one probably kill more people than the more famous mountains like Everest. Possibly because they are more accessible and people without the skills and stamina underestimate the potential of weather.

[@faffabout9412]

Something smells off about that guy having her phone….she obviously tried to get down the mountain after the fall, I can’t imagine she gave him her gps lifeline if she could still walk…. Why did he have her phone…hmmm.

[@user-xn2hf9re8r]

totally agree

[@pakde8002]

She already called in her gps location. Since the other guy wanted to keep moving it would make sense for him to carry her phone as a skilled mountaineer would know not to move from the last known location. Unfortunately she did move for some reason. Perhaps the other climber passed away and she wanted to make her way to the shelter. My question is why she didn't bring an extra set of spikes for the ice. There's a saying that one is none. If it's important enough to bring one then you should bring extra.

[@mtn.lion_bait]

​@pakde8002 at that altitude I'm betting everything she had with her was important. There's no way she's carrying two backpacks.

[@jamesvislosky6722]

@@pakde8002since when have you ever heard of climbers carrying spare crampons for ‘just in case’ ? The answer is never. They’re extremely sturdy pieces of equipment and you’re more likely to break your foot/leg before you lose your crampons. Whatever happened here must’ve been freak circumstances. No climber is going to carry an extra few lbs for an extremely unlikely scenario

[@Whyusemyname]

@@jamesvislosky6722I have heard a couple of stories where climbers died after losing their crampons. Picture sliding down a shear ice cliff and digging your crampons into the ice for traction. I can see one flying off with the right about of force. If you lose them, it’s a likely death sentence unless you can be rescued. I’d probably still bring a second set of gloves first.

[@NapoleonDynamites]

RIP Maria

[@akdragosani]

Excellent Story 👍🏻

[@nero2987]

Legends Never Die. Another good one Archie, you never disappoint. Love your accent BTW

[@mauricedavis2160]

What a special human being, bless all those who put others safety first, Rest In Paradise Maria!!!🙏😢🏔️❣️

[@user-xn2hf9re8r]

Brilliant Archie

[@susanbutler2542]

Thank you so much for the great stories❤

[@Sarah-tj1tq]

Good to see you again, Archie. I hope you're well.

[@impassable]

She was so close to shelter

[@divinecommerce3912]

I think she gave up because underneath all her accomplishments and drive was deep heart ache for a lost mother... And she lacked the emotional strength despite her technical expertise.

[@LeCharles07]

"Everyone who knew about her felt that one day all the worlds highest peaks would submit to her." No peak ever submits; you are irrelevant to it and it must be conquered in spite of it's ambivalence.

[@timwatson4118]

It is impossible to conquer a mountain because the mountain does not care.

[@Codzilla71]

English is obviously not the commentator's first language, so for submit try fall. And stop being so pedantic.

[@medea27]

It's obviously just a turn of phrase and not intended to be taken so literally...people get pedantic over the strangest things online. smh

[@edwigcarol4888]

​​@@Codzilla71 other feedback ? Language corrupts the thinking and it does matter. There are good examples in Cognitive behavioral therapy: free the thinking from the traps of linguistic patterns. Correct it, open a door to change. So protest is legitime. All to many thinking-templates here... Stiffening. New fresh perspectives? There is the old belief that someone that speaks well, thinks well. Let me protest! Linguistic prodigies are not the genuine thinking . For Maria I would suggest "look at the father"

[@Codzilla71]

@@edwigcarol4888 I'd say language isn't natural to you, period!

[@FinnishLapphund]

I know it's pointless, but I can't help but wonder if he still would've survived if she hadn't gone back to help them.

[@Whyusemyname]

Probably both would have. It appears that she got the other climber killed. He survived because he went on his own. And probably stole her crampons and gps.

[@ambermartin3961]

What good humor. This is a shame.

[@alexfarman4580]

How could she be in her junior year in 2021 when she died in 2012?

[@Sonofagreatdad]

how did the mother die

[@gbedmonds1594]

Prdigy=early death. I could name you name after name after name after name after name after name after name after name after name (you get my point) of people who are now gone because they were "prodigies". It's just sad that literally 1000's of people have died to do something that was never meant to become a sport. And if you feel differently I don't think of you less but I'll always believe it's harder to work a 9-5 job for 20+ years and support a family for a lifetime than it is climbing a ridiculously tall mountain for some unseen adrenaline rush. RIP little girl ❤️

[@TheFlyingRaptor]

So sad... Nature can be so brutal.

[@genogallaher837]

... I love, the new, Video format

[@rickyspeople]

Too young for such guiding responsibilities. I would want my guide to have *already* lived through and learned from dangerous situations. I'm trusting that person to know what the edge is, I need them to have reverence for it

[@divinecommerce3912]

It's a classic situation where a prodigy has their ego stroked so hard their whole life that they overestimate their own ability to handle dangerous situations... Technical experience vs life experience, and maturity can't be rushed.

[@anais4766]

But then probably only because she was so young and full of courage and idealistic, she went against all odds and put her life on the line to save 2 people lagging behind... and one whose character felt quite suspicious to me... Heard another story of very experienced guide left paying customers behind to die, because he knew he wouldn't have survived if he stayed any longer. He has done enough, but he know when to call the shots when it's his life vs. others. Can't blame him, actually quite wise and sensible choice made. But then going out with someone you know will never leave you behind vs. someone whom would, is surely a different feeling... Anyway, poor girl, such a loss.

[@rickyspeople]

@anais4766 that's my point, I wouldn't want to go with someone who would leave me behind OR stay with me to die : I'd want a guide who knows when to shut the whole thing down and turn around despite protests

[@anais4766]

@@rickyspeople Yeah, feel you, however it's a very difficult decision to make and one can never be sure if they've made the right choice despite of vast amount of experience and logic, after all it's someone's life involved. For example Robert Hall, it's just too good of a person, despite all the experience and knowing clearly the risks and the hopelessness of the rescue mission, he went with it anyway... Same as you, I know I wouldn't want to go with someone that I can't trust and would leave me behind especially on challenging hikes, but then going with someone whom would risk their own life for me is a burden to bear itself I would have felt really bad too. It's just so difficult, anyway, I admire the courage and warmth of humanity in many, and just feel really bad about the loss.

[@Whyusemyname]

@@anais4766I think in this case it’s safe to say she made the wrong choice and should’ve turned around.

[@sweetcheeks89]

❤❤❤❤

[@Coffee_n_Opera]

Her response to the question “Should women be on mountains” speaks volumes to how deeply society can brain wash you if you are not careful to safeguard yourself . How sad she feels the need to justify that ‘but’ of her passion, instead feeling free to call it an ‘and’. A man was asking her the question, of course🧐🤨

[@rolfsinkgraven]

Trying too safe one on a mountain wil reduce your chance too survive a lot, like in this story sadly.

[@Sonofagreatdad]

if u get something then want more. what u want doesnt satisfy. its an illusion

[@user-us5pv8zw3z]

How the hell do you lose your crampons?

[@Daneiladams555]

its called addiction

[@houseofgrindgaming3448]

These selfish egoists aren't 'heroic', and mountains do not 'submit' to people. To even say so in jest is delusional.

[@Codzilla71]

English is obviously not his first language so cut him some slack, pedantic idiot.

[@medea27]

The irony of someone with your user name calling people "selfish egoists" for doing outdoor sports _AND_ trying to flex your language skills while completely missing the obvious turns of phrase that Archie was employing... wow, that's an impressive double self-own you managed there, well done

[@houseofgrindgaming3448]

I'm... Not even gonna try a real response because that made no sense.

[@junrobin9335]

I think you calling climbers selfish egoists is something strange to do. People die from plenty of things, sure mountaineering has more risks than gaming for example. But even from gaming you can develop health issues that cost you your life. Everything can kill you and I still think that everyone is responsible for their own life. She choose that path and hobby because it made her happy. Same as my dad did in his youth and he's still alive, took me climbing a few times, but I decided it's not for me cause of my fear of heights. Some climbs he did where dangerous. But he did them because he loved climbing at the time. Now he's the type to go cycling in the mountains. Would I be okay if he died following his passion? Hell no, but he at least got to live the life he wanted to have. And not many people can commit to hobbies they want to commit too. It's always a choice between living a life that makes you happy and living your life for others while wilting away yourself, because if you discuss what you like, or get into a hobby that's slightly dangerous, people will blame you for your choice, call it selfish and tell you to do something else. While the hobby might be one of the things that make you feel whole and at peace.

[@lanadelsultana]

These comments are really telling, a man wouldn't get this much spite from unfit people who don't leave their house let alone climb mountains.

[@user-fc1gq5xd9e]

sports propaganda...their greatness is frozen in the glacier, to be defrosted and rediscovered at a later date then enshrined as heroes in a hall of fame...

[@DustyInTheWind]

2nd

[@kristinebailey6554]

She overestimated her ability. Her weakness was not her age as she tried to assert, it was lack of practical experience. A shame to end her life due to ego.

[@timwatson4118]

WTF! She gave up her own life TRYING to save others! What have you done lately? Your ignorance is only outdone by your inhumanity.

[@listrahtes]

Or Kutzi took her phone by force. No mountaineer gives away his phone in such a situation.

[@divinecommerce3912]

Kutzi the beta male definitely did her dirty. Her blood is on his hands and his karma is here...@@listrahtes

[@cleopatra1633]

And her lack of understanding that no matter how experienced you are as a woman you don't have the physical strength of men. Most women that go on this climbs are giving up or are a liability that have to be saved by men. Facts have proven they are more likely to die too.

[@poutinedream5066]

I hate how women, are reduced to their beauty regardless of how accomplished they are. I just saw the video of her speaking of her love of the mountains and I cant help but notice how beautiful she is, young, smiling, so full of life and promise. What a loss to humanity.

[@Whyusemyname]

I know. She had a great body too. Such a loss.

[@poutinedream5066]

@@Whyusemyname Sure, that counts as a loss. There is value to beauty in the world. Not sure why you tried to get under my skin, but whatever.

[@stewartmeetball3417]

First lol

[@PlatinumLemur]

not first because I arrived 9 minutes late ;)

[@stewartmeetball3417]

@@PlatinumLemur oh well second

[@kinseybruno5920]

Two words come to mind: bad parenting