CJMY
T Ravichandran, the first Malaysian to conquer Mount Everest three times, returned to a hero’s welcome as he arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport from Kathmandu. The accomplished veteran mountaineer was greeted by reporters and enthusiastic supporters.
Amidst the jubilant atmosphere, emotions overwhelmed Ravi as tears welled up while he spoke on the news regarding the missing climber Muhammad Hawari Hashim and the tragic death of Lt. Col. Awang Askandar Ampuan Yaacub.
Ravi joined the Himalaya Sport Everest-Lhotse Expedition 2023 with the ambitious goal of conquering both mountains, each exceeding 8,000 meters in height, within a span of 24 hours. On May 17, he successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest, proudly waving the Malaysian flag and his sponsor’s flag.
However, his attempt to descend Mount Everest and ascend Mount Lhotse was met with a frostbite injury that required immediate medical attention. Ravichandran was rescued and transported to Kathmandu for treatment.
Everest conquered us: Ravi reflects on a challenging year
While reflecting on his own journey to Bernama, Ravichandran’s thoughts turn to the well-being of his fellow climbers. He expresses profound concern for the missing climber, Hawari Hashim, and acknowledges the tragic fate of Awang Askandar, who sadly lost his life during the ascent to the peak.
Ravichandran, who had crossed paths with them during their shared time at Everest Base Camp, shares heartfelt memories of their camaraderie. He remains hopeful for Hawari’s safe return, despite the challenging weather conditions that complicate the search efforts.
Ravichandran emphasizes the need for a thorough review of the mistakes and setbacks encountered by Malaysian Everest climbers. He stresses the importance of considering various factors, including weather conditions, technical skills, and training, to mitigate risks in future expeditions.
The tragic loss of lives this year, with 10 recorded fatalities compared to three in the previous year, deeply affects Ravichandran and highlights the mental toll of such incidents.
However, he encourages the younger generation not to be deterred by the challenges and risks inherent in mountaineering, urging a serious approach to reduce the risks associated with conquering Mount Everest.
The fate of Hawari Hashim and the tragic death of Awang Askandar
Hawari Hashim is feared to have gone missing while descending from Camp 4 after successfully conquering the summit of Mount Everest.
Expedition leader Azim Afif Ishak confirmed the matter and stated that the search operation is ongoing. Muhammad Hawari, who is hearing impaired, was last heard from when he was at Camp 4, and it has been almost 24 hours since he was last seen.
Meanwhile, Nivesh Karki, the director of Pioneer Adventure stated that Hawari lost contact with the team when they left the camp to assist another Malaysian climber. A message has been sent to all operators to inquire if Hawari sought shelter in their tents.
Efforts to locate him are being conducted, as the team tries to trace his whereabouts along the commonly used routes.
Awang Askandar Ampuan Yaacub, aged 56, was part of the same climbing group as Muhammad Hawari. Unfortunately, he met with a fatal accident while climbing Mount Everest and was confirmed dead.
Awang Askandar is the Malaysian Civil Defence Force’s (APM) Kedah director and holds Lt Colonel (PA) rank. Awang Askandar fell during his ascent, and despite efforts to save him, he tragically lost his life. The news of his demise has saddened the entire expedition team and the mountaineering community.
