Ayob Yahaya treks toward the summit of Alaska’s Mount Denali, June 2019. [Courtesy of Ayob Yahaya]
Luks, who was part of the 2012 rescue team for Japanese climbers buried by an avalanche on Denali, said slow-moving groups face increased risks caused by fatigue and dehydration, leaving them vulnerable to deteriorating weather, route conditions, or acute altitude illness.
“If a group is moving to the summit on summit day and the winds are picking up, temperatures dropping and/or the group is moving slowly and taking too much time, do they make a decision to turn around or press ahead?” he said.
‘Long, slow trek’
The Denali climb can take up to 20 days, depending on weather conditions.
“It could force you to wait longer than you really want to be,” Ayob said. “It’s a long, slow trek where you have to acclimate yourself before the summit push.”
While a guide company is not needed to climb North America’s tallest summit, the service could cost as much as U.S. $11,000, Ayob said. Other costs include flights and equipment.
Ayob, who serves as a spokesman for the Alpine Club Malaysia, said few insurance providers offer protection for high-altitude climbs but such policies for a month-long climb cost about $500.
Many Malaysians find those costs to be too steep because of the currency exchange rate – $1 equals close to 5 ringgit.
‘Seven Summits’
The three Malaysians stranded on Denali in late May were pursuing the “Seven Summits” challenge, which involves climbing the highest peak on each continent. Denali is known for its severe weather and steep climbs, according to National Geographic.
Mount Everest in Nepal is Asia’s and the world’s tallest mountain at 8,848 meters (29,029 feet). The tallest mountains on the other continents are Aconcagua in South America, 6,962 meters (22,828 feet); Denali; Kilimanjaro in Africa, 5,895 meters (19,341 feet); Elbrus in Europe, 5,642 meters (18,510) feet; Vinson Massif in Antarctica, 4,892 meters (16,050 feet); and New Guinea’s Carstensz Pyramid in Oceania/Australia, 4,892 meters (16,024 feet).
Mohd Noor Mat Amin from Jejak Pensolo Resources, a group assisting mountaineers to trek Mount Everest base camp in Nepal, said climbers must prepare physically and mentally before starting any treks.
“Asians are capable of hiking any mountain on Earth, but the crucial aspect is proper preparation before starting the climb. That is the most important.
“Regardless of our experience in Malaysia, or any others, each mountain is unique in terms of terrain, climate, and weather. These are all unpredictable factors. Hence, thorough preparation is a must,” Noor, an avid solo hiker, told BenarNews.
Ili Shazwani Ihsan in Kuala Lumpur and Nani Yusof in Washington contributed to this report.
Source link : https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/malaysian/zulkifli-yusof-death-mount-denali-06142024131020.html
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Publish date : 2024-06-14 13:10:00
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