SEPANG: "What if my fate ends up like theirs, with my body abandoned or never found? I can't even imagine it."
These were words from Tendi Sherpa, 41, as he shared his experiences as a mountain guide on Mount Everest in Nepal, a role he's undertaken since he was 13.
He frequently comes across bodies while leading climbers on expeditions along the trekking routes to the mountain's summit.
"I once found a body that had been dead for nearly 100 years, based on the record of the date the victim went missing. Their identity could still be determined, but the face and body were shrivelled.
"The name tags and clothing were intact, not decomposed due to the extreme cold. All I could do was pray for their soul to be at peace," he said in an interview with Harian Metro at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) recently.
Tendi said every time he encounters a body, it strengthens his resolve to reach the summit and return safely.
"I want to reach the summit and descend safely. The mountain isn't going anywhere. As a guide, I need to stay focused and resilient to protect the other climbers in the group and ensure their safety."
He said if a fatality involves someone from his team, he is responsible for bringing the body down.
"I would carry the body and bring it down. If someone is missing, we will continue to search for them.
"However, bringing a body down is not easy, especially in the Death Zone, which is at an altitude of 8,000m and requires a strong team."
Tendi added that the Nepalese government has issued a directive requiring mountain guides or tour companies to be responsible for bringing down the bodies of deceased climbers.
"There are currently over 230 bodies on Mount Everest that have not been brought down. The government has therefore instructed that companies must take responsibility for managing the remains of climbers who die during their expeditions," he explained.
Tendi noted that climbers often make the mistake of rushing to reach the summit or base camp in a short time.
"Most climbers suffer from Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) because they rush their ascent and fail to plan their journey properly, which can be fatal.
"Climbers are certainly eager to complete their climb and reach the summit as quickly as possible.
"But if they push themselves too hard, it depletes their energy, leading to various complications, including AMS, and in the worst-case scenario, death," he said.
Tendi, who has successfully summited the 8,849m-high mountain 17 times, said he also faces numerous challenges, including breathing without oxygen tanks for extended periods.
"If my clients encounter issues with their oxygen tanks, I have to sacrifice mine for them.
"As a guide, I must prioritise the safety of the climbers I lead. Every step they take needs to be carefully monitored to ensure their safety."
Tendi emphasised that climbers need to be mentally and physically prepared before attempting to scale Mount Everest.
"Climbers should practice proper breathing techniques and frequently engage in mountain hiking activities before deciding to conquer Everest.
"In Malaysia, for example, climbers can train by hiking Mount Kinabalu as preparation for Everest. Additionally, unpredictable weather conditions on Everest pose another challenge for climbers.
"Therefore, frequent mountain and hill climbing can help climbers learn to control their breathing, especially in the Death Zone.
"I've seen many bodies in the Death Zone, but it never dampens my spirit or that of my team to keep climbing to the summit. In fact, it motivates us to be even more cautious," he said, noting that most climbers face difficulties in the Death Zone.
Tendi said proper equipment is also a key factor in helping climbers succeed in reaching Everest's summit.
"Climbers need at least three years of preparation to climb the mountain all the way to the top.
"If they fail to prepare mentally, physically, or lack the right equipment, it can lead to a failed expedition, forcing them to turn back."
He said that while many climbers manage to reach the summit, they often struggle during the descent.
"Having clear goals is essential. Mental preparation is also crucial because most climbers focus only on reaching the summit of Everest.
"However, they don't prepare themselves for descending the mountain safely.
"Based on my experience and observations, many climbers die while descending from the summit," he added.