An Interview with Ilina Arsova, Alpinist

Hello Tose, and thank you for having me. The sports I have been practicing since I was a child have strengthened me physically and mentally to be determined and persistent in achieving my goals.

Additionally, education and life experiences have made me versatile and flexible, thus able to handle any situation. And art, also constantly present in my life, stimulates my fantasies and creative mind.

I have been doing sports since I was little. First, it was karate, then swimming. I practically started walking in Vodno, thanks to my parents. After that, at the age of 14, I found myself addicted to adrenaline when I enrolled in parachuting at the Aeroclub. So, at 16, I was already paragliding, and at 20, I discovered the rocks and benefits of the high mountains, which I can not get enough to this day.

Of course, that was my first climb of Mont Blanc in the French Alps in 2006, when I fell in love with the Alpine landscape and the original power of the mountains.

There are many, starting from fear, physical exhaustion, dehydration, and avalanches to severe winds, harsh cold, and emotional difficulties.

Mount Everest is my most outstanding achievement that has written national sports history. Still, as a personal record, I would single out the feats of ski mountaineering when I climbed and descended several high mountains with a maximum height of 6,500 m. in classic telemark style.

Also, I would undoubtedly single out being among the 70 women in the world that climbed the seven highest peaks on all seven continents.

Each mountain has its own problematic part, whether it is a technically steep mountaineering challenge or harsh isolation with extreme temperatures. As a result, for every problem or situation, I practice what awaits me.

For example, for the Matterhorn, Ama Dablam, or Puncak Jaya, I trained more on the rock, while I trained cold by swimming in cold water in Alaska and Antarctica. Psychological training is also essential in every situation, and I will tell you about it in one of my motivational training sessions.

I find gyms and workouts excellent places to stay in shape in winter, although I enjoy exercising more in nature. Because I am sometimes too busy with work, I try to have installed all the training equipment I need, even at home in my hostel in Ohrid.

As I need to maintain a climbing shape, it is essential to keep my toes strong. So, hanging and bending the toes are recommended. All of this, combined with yoga, swimming, and cycling, helps me stay in good shape even during a pandemic.

Yes, I believe in the words “a person learns while he is alive.” I constantly aim and work to upgrade and improve some of my life skills, although it is not so easy for us because we live in a society full of envy and hatred that absolutely prevents us from progressing. Still, that is precisely why I just launched another brand new initiative, the women’s Kachuv school, which just yesterday, on June 27, had its first meeting on the rocks in Demir Kapija.

A big challenge for every strong and independent woman is to find someone who will follow her in life. I may not be the best example of balancing myself because, often, the discipline can succumb to the compromises I make to keep up with my partner.

It is never too late to start with what makes you happy, and do not let anyone convince you otherwise because even the most experienced were once beginners.