Two national climbers from UTM to scale world’s seven highest peaks
SEPANG: Two national climbers from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia ( UTM) are determined to conquer seven peaks in seven continents after successfully climbing Mount Everest in Tibet on May 23.
Farul Aidib Mahamad Yusoff, 22, who arrived at the KL International Airport 2 ( KLIA2) from Kathmandu on Saturday, said the plan, however, could only be carried out after completing his studies in two years’ time.
“The intention and anticipation are there, but there is still no plan yet. I am currently a second year student pursuing the Bachelor of Management (Technology) course and I still need to complete my studies.
“So the focus now is to complete my studies before I conquer the mountains,” said the Kuala Terengganu-born Farul Aidib to reporters after arriving at the KLIA2 at 9.54pm on Saturday.
His homecoming with his coach, Azim Afif Ishak, was welcomed by UTM vice- chancellor Prof Datuk Ir Dr Wahid Omar, their families and UTM students.
The duo became the first Malaysians to have conquered the world’s highest peak from the north route ( Tibet) by braving the climb of 2,352.19 metres in 17 hours after having left Camp 3 or the Base Camp.
Relating his experience, Farul Aidib, who is the eighth of 10 siblings, said they had faced many obstacles, especially the severe weather during the UTM Everest Tibet 2016 mission.
“This was particularly so when I came down from the Mount Everest peak with my sherpa. The weather was quite bad with strong winds at that time. I would fall on every step I took.
“Due to the narrow and rocky paths, I kept falling in between the gaps. Later, my sherpa came to help and lift me up,” he said.
According to Aidib Farul, who managed to reach the Mount Everest peak at 9.46am Nepal time (12.15pm Malaysian time), he was grateful and awed by the picturesque beauty of the scenery as the weather was very good.
Meanwhile, Azim Afif, 28, described the Mount Everest climb from the Tibet (northern) route as very challenging due to the tough route and the strong winds, apart from the difficulty in getting halal food. — Bernama