[milestogo]

just surviving and moving at 12,000 ft (summer or winter) will kick your @ss, even if your in great shape. Experience means everything in that environment...not to mention a squared away logistics team...

The Indians are holding Siachen which is at 20,000Ft. More details here

[g'nad]

The Indians and Pakistanis have learned to operate at those altitudes through time and quite a few deaths. They have staging camps at gradually increased altitudes to acclimate the men and prevent altitude sickness, which can kill even an extremely fit man.

The soldiers in your link fighting for Siachen are some hearty mo'fo's...