Mohamed Ameen Dabhelia – 2018/10/21

Lenasia’s very own Ridwaan Noorbhai attempts to ascend one of the most dangerous peaks for any climber i.e. Earth’s highest Mountain range, the Everest in the Himalayas.

Noorbhai is no stranger to mountain climbing, and has already conquered Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in 2017.

But, Everest is no ordinary climb.

Having to contend with the extremities of weather where nature works against climbers, including temperatures dropping to far below zero, altitude sickness with effects that range from disorientation to death, and the ever-present threat of frostbite, one really has to have a passion for mountaineering in these adverse conditions.

Noorbhai has gripped and caught the attention of both listeners and viewers of Radio Islam with regular crossovers through the different platforms from various locations and peaks, en route to summit the Everest.

In the latest crossover to RI, he says that for the past two days, they have been cut off, with no contact with the outside world.

“All our devices came to an standstill, no power and no network, last night we were 5 100 metres above sea level, -12 to -14 degrees, and extremely cold, I didn’t have a very good night last night, it’s very difficult in high altitude and extreme cold weather.”

Noorbhai began his trek to Everest’s base camp earlier this morning.

“I send you this message from Everest’s base camp, I don’t have much time, and the oxygen is at about 15 to 20%.”

Noorbhai adds that reaching the base camp was successful and a personal victory for himself.

“It’s beautiful, and I saw something last night, I’ve actually seen the Palestinian flag at a tea house at 5,100 metres above sea level, Palestine is remembered.”

Noorbhai says he will be leaving the base camp at 4am tomorrow morning and has three to five days to descend to reach Kathmandu in Nepal.