KUALA LUMPUR: The missing Malaysian trekker up Mount Everest, is believed to have been weak and slow in keeping up with the team.
Thus, the Nepali Sherpas are learnt to have advised anaesthesiologist Dr Wui Kin Chin to stay put at one of the points on Annapurna, for him to regain his strength and for help to come.
Seasoned mountain climber Ravichandran Tharumalingam aka ‘Ravi Everest’ told The New Straits Times that he had obtained this information from officials in Kathmandu, the Nepali capital.
“I had a chat with one of the company owners, Tashi Sherpa, from Seven Summit Trek who were providing services to the victim," Ravichandran said, adding that it appeared one of the accompanying Sherpas left Wui at a spot as he was weak and was taking too long to move down.
“We all hope that he will be found soon and pray for his safe return,” said Ravichandran, the Global Expedition Club Malaysia president.
Wui, 49, an experienced climber had gone missing while descending the 8,091m summit on Tuesday.
Wui was part of a team of 13 climbers, guided by Barobian Michel Christian of France, and had completed the Seven Summits by climbing Everest last spring.
Social media reported that Seven Summit Treks chairman Mingma Sherpa had said that Wui was one of 32 climbers to stand on the summit that day, reaching the top at 4.10pm Nepali time.
Mingma had complained that insurance bureaucracy had delayed the search for him by helicopter.
Wui's last social media post on Sunday told his followers that he had reached Camp 3, following a nine-and-a-half-hour climb, but heavy snow had set in.
He is reportedly married to Thanaporn Lorchirachoonkul and the couple run Chin Anaesthetic Consultant Pte Ltd in Singapore.
Ravichandran was puzzled as to how Wui, who is based in Singapore, had gone missing since he was part of a team.
“It should not have happened, especially if a Sherpa was with him. They should not have left him behind, in the first place,” said Ravichandran, who had scaled Mount Everest in 2006 and reached South Col in 2007, and numerous mountains.
He eventually lost eight fingers to frostbite.
He hoped Wui had a tent with him to shelter him from the cold wind and stay warm, to keep him alive.
“Also, if he has oxygen-support equipment, he should minimise its use for longer survival up to ten hours.
“It is highly unlikely to survive without shelter or oxygen above 8,000m for more than 12 hours.
“A lot depends on how long his jacket can protect him, whether it can stay dry and for his body to generate heat.
“Otherwise, he can suffer from hyperthermia which can lead to pulmonary edema and subsequently cerebral edema,” warned Ravichandran.
Another seasoned climber, Mohd Fakhrul Munir Mohd Isa, 37, advised victims to relax and not panic when lost.
“Attempt to seek help when possible. Make sure of your location and keep close to the designated track.
“Ration but consume sufficient food and beverage for energy and survival,” said Fakhrul, the Summit Attack Resources director and a certified travel and adventure guide.
He also advised victims to make visible coloured ‘SOS’ markings to be traced from afar.
“Look for suitable cover from extreme cold, wind and snow.
“Keep warm always. Minimise movements at night and most of all, be in high spirits to survive,” said Fakhrul, who has scaled the 12 highest mountains in Malaysia.
He has also climbed mountains in Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Philippines, Iceland, Vietnam, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and China.
Annapurna is reportedly prone to avalanches, with nine South Koreans killed last October after a snowstorm swept them off a cliff on the western Mount Gurja.