A five-member team from Sabah Parks’ Mountain Search and Rescue (SAR) Unit made history after successfully reaching the Everest Base Camp in Nepal, marking a proud achievement for Malaysia on the international mountaineering stage.

The elite SAR team battled freezing temperatures as low as -21°C and trekked through heavy snow at an altitude of 5,364 metres during the 10-day expedition. Known for their expertise on Mount Kinabalu, the climbers completed their mission at 1:07 p.m. Nepal time (11:22 a.m. Malaysia time).

The expedition, led by Maipol Spait, Deputy Director of Operations, Privatisation & Development at Sabah Parks, included Rexie Meekenddey Madis, Silver Peter, Najeri Najib, and Suparin Kumin.

The climb was part of Sabah Parks’ initiative to improve the resilience and technical skills of its high-altitude rescue team while representing Malaysia globally. Originally, the team aimed to reach Kala Pattar (5,545m), a nearby viewpoint overlooking Everest, but the route was temporarily closed by Sagarmatha National Park authorities due to worsening weather conditions.

“Safety always comes first. We made the responsible decision to halt the climb when visibility dropped,” said Spait. “Still, reaching Everest Base Camp is a major milestone for our team and for Malaysia.”

Despite not continuing upward, the achievement highlighted the SAR team’s capability to operate in extreme conditions. The mission received logistical support from Mount Kinabalu Adventure & Travel Sdn Bhd and Mount Mania Treks & Expedition, Nepal.

During their visit, the team met with officials from the Nepal National Parks and the Nepal Sherpa Association to strengthen ties in environmental conservation and mountain safety. This collaboration could lead to future joint training programs and knowledge-sharing between Malaysia and Nepal in high-altitude rescue and climate resilience.

This successful expedition follows the team’s Mount Kilimanjaro climb in Tanzania in September 2024, when they summited Africa’s highest peak (5,895m).

For readers interested in current conditions, view the Everest weather updates here.