ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP — HERE WE COME!

4 teens to test their endurance by trekking up a great mountain

DIFFERENT people have different ways of getting their adrenaline fix. Some cook, some sing, some dance and some climb.

For these four teenagers, they get their adrenaline pumping by trekking up hills and mountains. And a host of other serious physical activities that other teenagers may shy away from.

This week, these four children will be trekking in Nepal and hope to make their way to the Annapurna Base Camp leading to Mount Everest. The camp is 4,130m above sea level, slightly more than Mount Kinabalu, which stands at 4,095m.

I caught up with them a few days ago, wondering if they were serious about the climb. Trekking up to the Annapurna Base Camp is not a walk in the park, but it is a popular destination for mountain climbers.

Many told me that it was only a matter of time before they raise the stakes and start planning to take on Mount Everest after that. Such is the pull of the world’s highest mountain.

I first caught hold of Stephanie, 13, the youngest in the group of 100 people from all sorts of backgrounds who are making the climb. The trip is called NEX Adventure and Columbia Expedition 100.

Why are you doing the climb, I asked Stephanie.

She said: “I’m doing the climb because I think this is a once-ina-lifetime opportunity to really experience something eye-opening.

“I’ve done several hikes up local mountains. But I’ve also trained for endurance by walking for hours to help increase my stamina. I’ve done at least four months of training.

“My dad introduced me and my brother to the idea of climbing Mount Everest. I immediately agreed. I had never thought of the idea until my dad mentioned it. (From left) Afreena Aqilah, Stephanie Johan, Julian Johan and Jordan Teo Samuel are among 100 climbers taking part in the NEX Adventure and Columbia Expedition 100, to trek up to the Annapurna Base Camp.

“I don’t know whether I would actually climb Mount Everest eventually, but this trip to Annapurna will give me some idea.

“I study at Star Vista, an international school in Kajang. My dream is to be a marine biologist and study fishes, especially sharks and other deep-sea fishes,” said Stephanie, whose mother is a Filipina.

I then asked her father, Johan, why Annapurna? He’s also going with the group.

Johan’s answer was quite a surprise: “It’s not something I had planned for years. It’s almost coincidental actually.

“I was helping Adrian and Shariman (the organisers) with sponsorships. They suggested that I tag along. I said ‘yes’ spontaneously. That was the beginning.

“I’m an active cyclist, clocking at least 50km on weekends. I’ve also covered more than 80km a few times, too. This, combined with daily steps climbing going to

work, makes me confident and prepared.

Asked what he hopes to achieve from this expedition, Johan said: “I hope to establish an unforgettable bond with my children for us to cherish forever.

“At 65, I’m probably the oldest member of the expedition. I want to still do new things. InsyaAllah, with proper training, it is achievable.

“I won’t call myself a mountaineer in the strict sense of the word, but I’ve trekked a few mountains in preparing for this trip.”

Johan is also getting his son, Julian, who is 15, to join the trip. Julian was asked the same question — why Annapurna?

He said, rather nonchalantly: “To see if setting foot on a great mountain will change my view of the world. My dad suggested it, and I thought why not!”

Julian has been training, too. He has climbed some hills and “run up and down my school’s stairs”. He is a serious athlete, having trained for the triathlon for a couple of years at least.

“I hope to experience other cultures, too. And Nepal should be interesting,” he said.

I couldn’t speak to the other two teenagers but I got them to text me their stories.

One of them is Afreena Aqilah, 14, who appeared to have more experience that the two siblings.

She said: “The reason for this climb is to challenge myself again (since I’ve done it last year). It’s also part of my training and preparation for my Everest Base Camp expedition next year.

“I’ve been training since early this year with my parents. Hiking a few local mountains such as Gunung Chemerong, Stong, Langsir, Berembun.”

She is studying in Convent Bukit Nanas in Kuala Lumpur. She said she started hiking when she was 9 years old and had not stopped ever since.

“I’ve climbed Mount Kinabalu, Mount Fuji — both weren’t easy but I did my best. Everest is a target of course, but I must be well prepared.”

The last teenager is Jordan Teo Samuel, 16. He, too, has more experience and appeared to be addicted to mountain climbing.

“I’ve been there before. It’s very beautiful. I just want to be there again and enjoy the inspiring scenery. I train every weekend mostly with my dad. Mostly building my stamina at Saga Hill.

“I’m studying in SMK Pandan Mewah. My dad and I would find time to train as much as possible. I hope this expedition will be a success,” said the tough-looking young man.

The organisers are Adrian Lim and Shariman Said, who are also co-founders of NEX Adventure. Adrian is an entrepreneur and made his mark in the digital industry.

Shariman rose from a telephone operator in a hotel to eventually become a senior accounting manager at a more prestigious hotel in the city. Let’s wish all the climbers a safe trip.