LABUAN CLIMBERS RAISE MALAYSIAN, LABUAN FLAGS AT ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP

LABUAN, May 23 (Bernama) -- A group of 18 local climbers has brought pride to Labuan by successfully reaching the 4,130 meters of Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) in Nepal. 

The expedition, which began on May 16, included participants ranging in age from nine to 63 years old.

One of the climbers Mohd Ismifarizal Mohammed Ishak said the expedition was among others aimed to hoist both the Malaysian and Labuan flags at the base camp, which serves as the gateway to Mount Annapurna, the world's 10th highest peak at 8,091 meters.

“We are very proud to reach the camp in five days, all in good health…we flew the Malaysian and Labuan flags along with the flags of Labuan-based organisations such as LDA Holdings, Yayasan Pembangunan Labuan (YPL), SMK Pantai Labuan, Sekolah Rendah Integrasi Teras Islam (SRITI) Labuan, and Labuan International School (LIS), where some of our climbers are affiliated,” Ismi told Bernama when contacted today.

The youngest climbers in the group were two siblings, nine-year-old Muhammad Isyraf Fiqry Ismifarizal and 16-year-old Muhammad Isyraf Faiz Ismifarizal, along with Diya Khalish Kasryanto, 15, and Muhammad Kaszym Aqim Kasryanto, 17.

Mohd Ismifarizal said the expedition began via the traditional route from Ghorepani (2,874 meters) to Poon Hill (3,210 meters).

He said the group reached Annapurna Base Camp at 6.06 am (Nepal time) on May 21, and all the climbers reported no breathing difficulties despite the cold weather. 

“We owe our success to the support and prayers of our parents, relatives, and friends…we hope this achievement inspires more locals to participate in such expeditions, bringing further pride to our nation and Labuan,” Ismi said.

-- BERNAMA