Hiker who conquered Everest found dead
M’sian killed while trying to climb Mt Ama Dablam in Nepal
PETALING JAYA: Malaysian hiker Raman Nair Hachoodan wanted to scale Mount Ama Dablam in eastern Nepal, where he went missing and was later found dead.
It was Raman’s second attempt on Mount Ama Dablam, known as one of the deadliest mountains in the world.
The 42-year-old made an attempt four years earlier but did not manage to finish it due to bad weather.
“Mount Ama Dablam is a technical hike and located on the eastern side of the Himalayan range where the weather is unpredictable but Raman loved that mountain.
“He was determined to accomplish it this time around,” said fellow hiker Saravanan Murugesu.
Raman went missing on May 15 after being caught in bad weather during the hike with two others, who returned safe.
According to a Himalayan Times report, his body was recovered from a gorge at around 5,300m above sea level on Sunday, five days after he went missing.
An avid hiker with over 20 years of experience, Raman had conquered Mount Everest, Mount Kailash and the Ladakh mountain range in Pakistan.
As the chairman of the Persatuan Pendaki dan Rekreasi in Malaysia, he had also organised activities, includ- ing non-profit training for hiking and expeditions to raise funds for orphanages.
“Raman was a special and simple man who dedicated his life to hiking.
“He loved the mountains and always used to say that nature was his religion and the Earth was his temple,” said Saravanan.
“He also said that his final breath should be in the mountains.”
Another climber, Kesvamoorthy Arumugam, said Raman was a responsible hiker who always put other people’s lives first.
“When you’re with Raman, you’re always safe and you don’t have to worry about anything because he wasn’t selfish and he always looked after you.
“He would never put another person’s life in danger,” he said, adding that Raman was like a brother to him.
“We are missing a huge part of us but we will continue to pursue his hopes and dreams of helping and serving others,” Saravanan said.
Raman leaves behind his parents and three sisters.