Malaysia's oldest climber had to cancel ascent to Everest summit

Malaysia's oldest climber James Lee Chong Meng who was admitted to a hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal after experiencing severe chest pain on Saturday is once again forced to cancel his ascent to the summit of Everest.

Mount Everest Expedition (MEE) Lions public relations officer Sherine Leong said Lee, 69, was unable to continue the mission to conquest the Everest summit when he exceeded the stipulated time allocated.

"I have tried to get updates on Lee's health today but failed to contact the climbers," she said when contacted by Bernama here today.

Sherine said she learnt that Lee was still in the hospital and would be brought back to the country in the next few days.

On Saturday, Lee should have climbed to Camp 3 and proceed to the world's highest mountain summit at 8,848-metre altitude from Camp 4 but began experiencing chest pains and breathing difficulties while at Camp 2 on Thursday before he was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal.

In an attempt to climb Mount Everest in May last year, Lee had to cancel his ascent in the final stage at Camp 3 at an altitude of 7,200 metres due to bad weather.

The Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) is the media partner of the mission which is known as 2017 Lions Mount Everest Expedition, organised by Port Dickson Pantai Lions Club.

Lee brought along two important messages, namely to inspire people of all ages to take advantage of good health to continue being active and draw attention on the need to preserve the environment.

-- BERNAMA