Everest climbers must have authentic proof - Muqharabbin

KUALA LUMPUR: All climbers who claim to have successfully conquered Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, must furnish authentic proof such as photographs or videos before they can call themselves Everest climbers.

Malaysia's first Grand Slam explorer, Datuk Muhamad Muqharabbin Mokhtarrudin said the evidence must also be verified by the accompanying sherpa and an officer from Nepal's Ministry of Tourism, besides a certificate received from the ministry.

He said over 20 climbers from Malaysia had succeeded in climbing to the top of Everest since 1979.

"However, there is a dispute over several climbers who call themselves Everest climbers although they only reached the Everest Base Camp.

"In fact, some claimed they have climbed Everest more than twice but have no evidence in the form of photographs or videos," he said in a statement, here, today.

EVEREST-PROOF 2 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR

"It is not easy to climb Everest as it can cost between RM160,000 and RM200,000, as well as RM80,000 to RM150,000 for training as it entails physical training and mental preparation by climbing other snow-covered mountains first.

"Don't be ashamed to admit failure rather than lying to others, especially Malaysians for the sake of earning respect and honour, but wrongfully," he said.

Muhamad Muqharabbin completed a series of climbs to the seven highest peaks in the world between 2010 and 2014 and had skied at the North Pole Last Degree and in the South Pole between 2017 and 2018.

-- BERNAMA