Malaysian mountaineer undeterred after near-death experience in high Himalayas: ‘I’ll try harder next round’
- Mohamed Sadik Abdul Kadir was struck down with acute mountain sickness while attempting to conquer the 6,476-metre Mera Peak in the Himalayas
- Yet the climber, who has loved going on all sorts of adventures since he was a child, has resolved to tackle the mountain again – maybe even next year
When his blood oxygen level dipped to 37 per cent, Malaysian climber Mohamed Sadik Abdul Kadir knew he was staring death in the face.
But there was no 999 for Mohamed Sadik to dial because he was 5,800 metres (19,000 feet) above sea level, dealing with temperatures below -10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit).
He was trying to climb the 6,476-metre Mera Peak in the Himalayas – which offers an unobstructed view of the world’s five highest mountains – with three companions.
Their adventure started when they left Malaysia on October 13, with all four making it home safely on October 28. However, only one among their number – 5-year-old Eric Pok – made it to the peak.
Philip Yong, 64, and Vincent Chong, 52, pressed on until acute mountain sickness (AMS) – a medical condition that affects almost anyone who quickly ascends above 3,400 metres without acclimatising first – got the better of them at 6,000 metres and they turned back.
Mohamed Sadik, 51, at the upper camp at 5,800 metres, already knew his AMS symptoms were too severe for him to carry on.
