PETALING JAYA: The body of Malaysia’s first solo south peak Everest climber was brought back to his home in Shah Alam today (May 22), as family and friends mourned the passing of a passionate climber who also gave back to society.
Raman Nair Hachoodan, 44, founder of climbing association Persatuan Pendaki Gunung dan Rekreasi, combined his love for hiking with philanthropy, said close friend and fellow association member, Kumuthan Krishnamurthi.
“He started the association because he aspired to do more for unfortunate children by exposing them to hiking and motivating them to live purposefully,” he said.
“Raman said that in today’s world, hundreds would come to organise a party but only a handful would organise something that benefited the people.
"Because of this, we must keep striving to do more. I will continue to realise his dreams through this association.”
Raman was killed last Tuesday (May 15) when he fell 1000m to his death while attempting to reach the summit of Mount Ama Dablam, one of the most popular peaks along the eastern Himalayan range in Nepal.
Raman, who was accompanied by a friend and local guide, had scaled 6500m of the 6800m-high peak, when bad weather forced them to turn back.
They were attempting to return to base camp when he went missing. Both his friend and the guide are safe.
“We received a call from Nepal on Tuesday (May 15), informing us that he had gone missing and we were devastated, yet anxiously hopeful that he would come back,” said his sister, Vasanthy Veera Kumar.
After search and rescue attempts were thwarted by poor weather conditions, Raman’s body was finally found five days later in a gorge.
“We’re going to miss him a lot and we cannot forget him, but we can learn to live with his memory and move on,” said Vasanthy about a brother whose life inspired countless others.
“He was a daredevil and always encouraged us to be confident, brave and to go after our passions,” she said.
“He always encouraged people to hike, bringing them along with him on his trips, and he’s made so many friends who have grown to love him.”
“I hope someday we as a family can think about him without it being painful,” said Vasanthy.
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