Lee returns from Everest disappointed but thankful to be safe

SEPANG: Although disappointed, Malaysia's oldest climber James Lee Chong Meng, 68, who participated in the Lions Mount Everest Expedition (MEE) 2016 in Nepal, is glad to be able to return home safely.
He arrived at Kuala Lumpur 2 International Airport on an AirAsia flight at 3.44am today and was welcomed back by organising chairman Datuk Javern Lim and Lions staff.
Lee left for Kathmandu, Nepal on March 31 in his mission to reach the top of Mount Everest in 70 days but was forced to shelve the endeavour on May 19 due to severe weather.
This was despite having completed training and acclimatisation in six weeks and successfully reaching Mt Everest Camp 3 which is 7,300 metres above sea level at a temperature of -35 degrees Celsius.
Lee took the Lions MEE challenged themed, 'Save Environment and Stay Healthy' to promote environmental awareness and the 'Malaysia Boleh' spirit.
Relating his experience, the avid climber said he had to choice but to avoid taking risks because of such weather.
"No matter how physically and mentally resilient the climbers may be, they cannot challenge the weather there. The risk is very high and the low visibility is a drawback for me.
"On the sherpa's advice, I am forced to abandon this venture. It is rather disappointing not to be able to continue the mission to the peak but I am thankful to arrive safely home in Malaysia," he said.
On his health and well-being, he said he felt fine.
Lee took up mountain climbing as a hobby in his 40s and had scaled a number of mountains including Mt Kinabalu, Mt Rinjani in Indonesia, Mt Fuji in Japan and Mt Ama Dablam in Nepal. — Bernama