SEPANG: It was a totally different experience for T Ravichandran when he climbed Mount Everest for the third time on May 12.
He had conquered the summit of Everest solo twice, in 2006 and 2007.
This time, the man popularly known as Ravi Everest, said his climb presented a different and challenging scenario for him as he had to take along two other climbers, aged 40 and 64, to the highest peak in the world.
“I managed to bring both of them to the top. I am very satisfied and proud of this achievement.
“For the record, the 64-year-old is the oldest to successfully conquer Mount Everest compared to other climbers this year,” he told reporters after arriving at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), here today.
The 57-year-old said that both men’s physical and mental condition, apart from having to weather the unpredictable weather conditions, was a difficult challenge for him.
Ravichandran, who is from Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, said they began the climb on May 2 to go to camps One, Two and Three.
They stopped to rest on May 5 before resuming the expedition from May 9 to 11. They reached the summit on May 12 and made their descent from the summit on May 15.
“Every time there is a new expedition, there will be different challenges, but it has built more confidence in my abilities.
“It was not easy … we had to face ferocious winds. This made the fingers very cold and we had to use oxygen cylinders.
“At the same time, I had to ensure that the two men following me were always in high spirits and did not give up their attempt.
“I was so happy to see the happy expressions on their faces,” said the father of one, who is the only Malaysian to have climbed Mount Everest from both the South and North faces (from the Tibetan side).
The lure of Everest is still there for Ravichandran. He is determined to conquer Mount Everest for the fourth time next year – this time doing it without having to use oxygen cylinders. - FMT
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