Atanas Skatov

Atanas Georgiev Skatov (Bulgarian: Атанас Георгиев Скатов; born Atanas Georgiev Dimitrov) was a Bulgarian mountaineer, vegan, agronomist in plant protection, entomologist, and ecologist.

Atanas Skatov
Skatov, 23 May 2016, Summit Makalu, 8485m
Born	11 March 1978 Sliven, Bulgaria
Died	5 February 2021 (aged 42) K2, Pakistan
Years active	2012–2021
Known for	Veganism, Mountaineering, Createnism
Children	1
Website	atanasskatov.com

On 24 May 2014 he became the first known vegan to ascend Everest.[1][2] He was attempting to become the first known vegan to summit the 14 highest summits on Earth and has successfully reached the top of 10 of them: Everest (north and south routes), Manaslu, Annapurna, Makalu, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Kangchenjunga, Gasherbrum I, Gasherbrum II, and Dhaulagiri.[3]

On 20 June 2017, Atanas Skatov ascended solo in alpine style Denali peak in Alaska and became the first Bulgarian and the world's first vegan to climb successfully the Seven Summits.[4]

He died on the way down from K2 after his unsuccessful ascent.

Biography

Atanas Skatov was born on 11 March 1978 in Sliven, Bulgaria. In 2001, he graduated with distinction from the Agricultural University in Plovdiv, Bulgaria and holds a master's degree in plant protection. During his study he gained two scholarships, allowing him to study for two semesters at Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany. From 2001–2004, he was a full-time PhD student, in the departments of both horticulture and phytomedicine (plant protection). In February 2005, he was awarded a Doctorate degree in Agricultural Science after successfully presenting his dissertation on “Integrated Tomato Production (Lycopersicon esculentum) in a glasshouse with an emphasis on integrated and biological pest control against the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum westwood)”.

In 2015, he published his first book The Mother Goddess of the Universe.[5] At the same time his first documentary movie: Skatov, The Experiment, Episode 1: The First Vegan on Everest [6] was released. Skatov has published many scientific articles in Bulgaria and abroad, including instructions for the National Service for Plant Protection. He conducts presentations and motivational meetings. He has been interviewed more than 100 times regarding his latest project: Climbing the 14 highest summits on the planet without consumption of food of animal origin.

Skatov has one son, born in 2009.

Skatov says he had never been on a mountain until 2010, and before 2012 had never been an active sports person. Without passing even a basic mountaineering or climbing training program, he became the first known person of the world on a vegan diet who climbed the highest summits on six of the continents in less than two years, climbing four eight – thousanders in a week apiece. He is the first Bulgarian mountaineer taking part in four expeditions to climb eight-thousanders in a single season.

Skatov became a vegan January 2012, and decided to put on test this kind of diet by climbing the highest summits of each continent in the world, testing his physical and mental endurance. He has chosen the high-altitude mountaineering as it allows a human being to put his physical and mental health under intense pressure.

In 2015, Skatov was awarded a “Honorary Citizen” of Sliven, Bulgaria.[7]

In 2018, Skatov who climbed the sixth highest peak on the planet Cho Oyu (8201 m) without supplemental oxygen has received the Golden Bulgaria badge for Best Athlete of May.[8]

In 2019, Skatov was awarded the Green Person of Bulgaria for 2019.[9]

In 2020, he published his first book in English - The First Vegan on Everest.

November 2020 was the release of Skatov's 7th book which is dedicated to SE7EN SUMMITS VEGAN project.[10] It's with over 650 pages and author's only images.[11]

Scientific research

Skatov has conducted scientific researches in areas such as:

• Morphology; bio ecology and controlling horticultural pests on crops (Trialeurodes vaporariorum westwood, Tetranychus urticae koch, Bradysia difformis frey, Myzus persicae sulzer, Aphis gossypi glover, etc.);
• Insecticidal effect of certain plant extracts, such as: pine oil, castor oil, lavender oil, quasi (Quassia amara), pyrethrum, azadirachtine, etc.;
• Beneficial insects: Encarsia formosa Gahan, Macrolophus pygmaeus Rambur, Dacnusa sibirica Telenga, Lysiphlebus testacepies Cresson, Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, etc.;
• Entomopathogenic fungi - Verticillium lecanii (Zimmerman) Viegas;
• Pests in stored products;
• Hydroponic methods of growing crops in greenhouses.

Mountaineering and veganism

At 14 years of age, as a school boy at the Gymnasium of Electronics and Electrical Engineering in Sliven, Skatov dreamed of completing Bulgaria's longest high-mountain hiking trail from Kom to Emine (650 km). This dream came true 18 years later, in the summer of 2010. In his childhood, until he the age of 18, he had been part of the prominent folklore dance ensemble “Trakiyche”. Until 2012, he had never participated in any sports competitions.[12] He started in the summer of 2010, when for the first time he hiked the Kom-Emine trail. Later in 2011 and 2012 repeated the hike, captivated by the magic of the mountain. In the mountains, he considered what could be done for the safety of the planet. Since 2000, he was concerned that the world's population is constantly growing and that agricultural areas are limited.

At the end of 2011, he had the idea to become a vegan and to climb the highest peaks on all continents as well as all eight–thousanders as a vegan. In that way, he combined veganism and mountaineering in his first Project: Climbing the highest peaks on all seven continents as a vegan.[13] In less than two years he reached the highest summits of all seven continents.

Skatov is self-educated in the subject of climbing and mountaineering. He does not conduct preliminary research on a given peak prior to the expedition, in order to feel the spirit of the pioneers who hadn't known what to expect while climbing.

In 2015, he launched his second project: climbing the 14 highest summits on the planet, the "Crown of the Himalaya” without consumption of food of animal origin (including an expedition to the eighth highest peak on the planet – Manaslu, 8163 m., which had not been climbed by a Bulgarian before). Only Skatov, from all the mountaineers present in the autumn of 2015, made three consecutive attempts to attack the peak and on 1 October 2015 at 5:50 am he reached the peak.[14] Only a few hours prior, another Bulgarian mountaineer, Boyan Petrov, had climbed the summit in his first attempt. Skatov then became the second Bulgarian and possibly the second vegan in the world to have climbed Manaslu.

In 2016, Skatov took part in three expeditions for climbing eight-thousanders in Himalayas before monsoons in spring, which no other Bulgarian had done before and there are just a few similar cases in the world. On 16 April he reached 7700 m. of Annapurna I, 8091 m. with another five mountaineers, but due to the bad weather is forced to went down to the Base Camp. However, on 1 May 2016 he climbed successfully the tenth highest summit on the planet – Annapurna I, which is the deadliest one, possibly being the first vegan to step on the peak of Annapurna.[15] Immediately after Annapurna, he tried to climb Dhaulagiri, 8172 m., reaching 7900 m. in alpine style on 15 May 2016. He didn't have time for second attempt because he had a bigger target in mind, the fifth highest peak in the world – Makalu, 8485 m.

Having only one day to rest, after Dhaulagiri he aimed at Makalu and for only one night at Base Camp, started his climb at Makalu, in alpine style. On 23 May, at 12:00 pm, Skatov became the first known vegan to climb Makalu for just 96 hours with only one night at the Base Camp before the attack. Thus, for 23 days he participated in three expeditions on eight-thousanders, as two of them in alpine style in less than a week, for the first time in the world from a Bulgarian and a known vegan.

Two weeks after his return from 80-days triple expedition in Nepal, on 15 June 2016 Skatov flew to Pakistan, where he joined in an expedition to Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II. For Skatov, it is important to constantly pursue the limits of his physical and mental strength while on a vegan diet. After almost a month on Base Camp Gasherbrum, time spent for acclimatisation, on 21 July, he headed towards Camp I at Gasherbrum II. On 22 July, a snow started to fall for 26 hours nonstop, so on 23 July, Skatov went down to Base Camp and suspended the expedition.

In conclusion, for 2016, Atanas Skatov participated in four expeditions above 8 000 meters, which hasn't been done by any other known vegan or a Bulgarian. Atanas Skatov considers that examining the vegan diet is the most prominent scientific research, he has ever done. In January 2017, he marked six years of the beginning of his vegan lifestyle which he says he has no intention to change. He is regularly subject to blood tests, checking the important for a human being indices. Additionally, he maintains a diary regarding sport activities and his mental health.

In 2017, Skatov took part in two expeditions for climbing eight-thousanders in Himalayas before monsoons. On 16 May 2017 he climbed successfully the fourth highest summit on the planet -Lhotse, 8516m. Only 5 days later Skatov climbed successfully on 22 May Everest, 8848 for second time, but now from south side. So Atanas Skatov is the first Bulgarian, who climbed Mount Everest from north and from south ridges.

After Lhotse and Everest, Skatov climbed solo in alpine style on 20 June 2017 his last one of Seven summits-Denali, 6197m.

In 2018, Atanas Skatov summited Mt. Cho Oyu (8188m) without the help of supplemental oxygen or Sherpa help on 13 May at 16:20pm (Chinese time). He is the first Bulgarian to have done so. After having climbed continuously for 13 hours without drinking or eating anything Atanas was extremely exhausted. He had not slept for 2 nights.[16]

In 2019, Skatov summited four eight-thousanders Kangchenjunga, Gasherbrum I, Gasherbrum II and now Dhaulagiri[17]

Death

Skatov passed away due to a fall while descending from Camp 3 on 5 February 2021 at K2 in Pakistan.[18][19]

Expeditions

Year	Summit	Altitude	Mountain	Country	Results
2013	Uhuru	5895 m	Kilimanjaro	Tanzania	[20] The first known vegan to reach the summit
2013	Elbrus	5642 m	Caucasus	Russia	[20] The first known vegan
2013	Lenin Peak	7134 m	Pamir	Kyrgyzstan	Reached 6,900m [21]
2013	Aconcagua	6961 m	Andes	Argentina	Reached 6,600m [22]
2014	Aconcagua	6961 m	Andes	Argentina	[20] The first known vegan/Expedition only in three days
2014	Everest	8848 m	Himalayas	China	[20] Ascent via the north route. The first known vegan
2014	Carstensz Pyramid	4884 m	Maoke	Indonesia	[20] The first known vegan
2014	Vinson Massif	4892 m	Ellsworth	Antarctica	[20] The first known vegan
2015	Manaslu	8163 m	Himalayas	Nepal	[23] The second known vegan
2016	Annapurna I	8091 m	Himalayas	Nepal	[23] The first known vegan
2016	Dhaulagiri	8167 m	Himalayas	Nepal	[24] Reached 7,900m
2016	Makalu	8463 m	Himalayas	Nepal	[23] The first known vegan. Expedition in four days
2016	Gasherbrum II	8035 m	Karakoram	Pakistan	[25] Reached 6,350m
2017	Lhotse	8516 m	Himalayas	Nepal	[23] The first known vegan
2017	Everest	8848 m	Himalayas	Nepal	[23] Ascent via the south route. The first known vegan for second time
2017	Denali	6190 m	Denali	USA	Seven Summits completed[4]
2018	Cho Oyu	8188 m	Himalayas	Nepal	[16] Without Sherpa and without oxygen
2019	Kangchenjunga	8586 m	Himalayas	Nepal	[3] The first known vegan
2019	Gasherbrum I	8080 m	Karakoram	Pakistan	[3] Without Sherpa
2019	Gasherbrum II	8035 m	Karakoram	Pakistan	[3] Without Sherpa
2019	Dhaulagiri	8167 m	Himalayas	Nepal	[26] Forth eight-thousander in 140 days

References

1. Mendis, Dishan (2018-08-16). "The Story of Atanas Skatov–First Vegan to Climb Mount Everest". Vegan Universal. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
2. "Meet The First Vegan Ever To Climb Mount Everest (And Conquer The 6 Highest Continental Summits In Record Time) -". inourishgently.com. Retrieved 2017-02-13.
3. "Bulgarian Atanas Skatov Successfully Climbed his 10th Eight-Thousander - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency". www.novinite.com. Retrieved 2019-10-05.
4. "Bulgarian Atanas Skatov Climbed the Highest Mounts on Each of the 7 Continents". BNT News. Retrieved 2019-10-06.
5. Богинята Майка на Вселената. Дневникът на един веган. София: Кибеа. 2015. ISBN 978-954-474-714-5.
6. "The SKATOV experiment". Vimeo. Retrieved 2017-02-13.
7. Прес, Сливен. "ПЕТИМА ПОЧЕТНИ ГРАЖДАНИ НА СЛИВЕН". slivenpress.bg (in Bulgarian). Archived from the original on 2017-02-14. Retrieved 2017-02-13.
8. "Alpine climber Atanas Skatov on vicissitudes and choices in life". bnr.bg. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
9. "TEDxVitosha | TED". www.ted.com. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
10. Skatov, Atanas. "Project". Atanas Skatov.
11. Седемте Континентални Първенци https://atanasskatov.com/knigi/
12. "Д-р Скатов по скатовете - Списание Осем". Списание Осем. Retrieved 2017-02-13.
13. "Д-р Скатов: След време всички ще се срамуваме, че сме яли месо - Списание Осем". Списание Осем. Retrieved 2017-02-13.
14. "Веганът Скатов покорил Манаслу от трети опит". Веганът Скатов покорил Манаслу от трети опит - Общество - Стандарт Нюз. Retrieved 2017-02-13.
15. "Атанас Скатов също изкачи Анапурна". www.dnevnik.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2017-02-13.
16. "Bulgarian Atanas Skatov summited Cho Oyu without oxygen or Sherpa help". www.dreamwanderlust.com. Retrieved 2019-12-28.
17. Nestler, Stefan (2019-10-03). "Summit successes on Dhaulagiri". Adventure Mountain. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
18. "Bulgarian Climber Dies On K2 Expedition". International Business Times. AFP News. 5 February 2021.
19. "Bulgarian climber dies during expedition on Pakistan's K2". The Express Tribune. AFP. 5 February 2021.
20. "Атанас Скатов покори най-високите върхове на всички континенти". bTV Новините. Retrieved 2019-10-05.
21. "Да покориш Еверест - Атанас Скатов на върха". БНТ (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2019-10-05.
22. "Атанас Скатов покори и Андите - Сливен". dariknews.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2019-10-05.
23. "Atanas Skatov Climbed his Ninth Eight-Thousander and Is Looking Forward to the "Crown of the Himalaya" - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency". www.novinite.com. Retrieved 2019-10-05.
24. "Атанас Скатов се е отказал от изкачването на Дхаулагири 167 м под върха". www.dnevnik.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2019-10-05.
25. "Лошо време и лавини попречиха на Атанас Скатов да изкачи връх Гашербрум 2". www.actualno.com (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2019-10-05.
26. "Atanas Skatov and Sergi Mingote summitted Dhaulagiri". www.explorersweb.com. Retrieved 2019-12-28.