KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 — Malaysia’s oldest mountain climber James Lee Chong Meng, 68, reached the Everest Base Camp (EBC) yesterday, despite a sprained ankle.

Lions Mount Everest Expedition (Lions MEE) 2016 organising chairman Datuk Javern Lim said Lee was in good conditions despite suffering a sprained ankle.

“Just received a call by James Lee from EBC a few seconds ago. His condition is perfectly alright... Wi-Fi service is poor at EBC and Lee used a satellite phone to call me just now,” he said when contacted by Bernama, here today.

Lee and five others, climber Sherine Leong, 40, Desmond Tee, 56 and three Bernama representatives, reporter Muhammad Afiq Mohd Asri, 25, photographer Zulfadhli Zulkarnain, 23, and Bernama TV cameraman Fazril Amirul, 23 have reached the EBC at 5,364 metres above sea level according to schedule.

Lim said there was no more swelling on Lee’s right ankle but it was slightly bruised.

The team which has climbed from Dingboche to Goreshep (at 5,140 metres above sea level) on Sunday, before reaching Everest Base Camp with temperatures around three degrees yesterday.           

Lee, who has over 20 years of experience in mountain climbing had conquered several mountains including Mount Kinabalu, Mount Rinjani in Indonesia, Mount Fuji in Japan and Mount Ama Dablam in Nepal.

He began his Lions MEE “Save Environment & Stay Healthy” climb to Mount Everest, which is 8,848 metres high, on March 31 and is expected to complete his mission in 70 days.

Accompanying the team are two professional Sherpas, Ngaa Tenji, 33, and Ang Temba, 44. — Bernama