SEPANG, Dec 27 — Solo climber Khairil Aslan Ab Rashid, who conquered three peaks in the Himalayan Mountains, Kathmandu in Nepal recently, hopes to conquer seven peaks in seven continents within a year next year.

Khairil Aslan, 40, who arrived at the KL International Airport (KLIA) from Kathmandu yesterday said the success in conquering three Himalayan peaks namely the Maru Peak, Lobuche and Island within 32 days from Nov 26 had been a good training in preparing for the expedition next year.

The success in conquering the three Himalayan peaks also created a record for the Asian solo climber who made the expedition to the three peaks during the winter season.

“Subsequently, I wish to achieve a record as the fastest Asian solo climber to conquer seven peaks in seven continents within one year.

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“I will begin my expedition in early February in Argentina to conquer the Aconcagua peak in the South American continent as the first peak and conclude the expedition in Carstensz Pyramid in the Australasian continent,” he told reporters after arriving at the KLIA at 9.40 pm last night.

Besides the Aconcagua peak and Carstensz Pyramid, the other five peaks that he would climb in the seven-peak expedition next year are the Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mount Vincon in the Antarctica, Mount Denali in North America, Mount Everest in Eurasia and Mount Mauna Kea in the Pacific islands.

The father of three was received at the KLIA by his wife, Hamizah Hashim, 37 and his three children, Nur Ainnajwa Safhia, 16, Muhammad Najman Harith, 14 and Muhammad Najmie Haziq, six. Also present at the KLIA were his friends from his hometown in Batu Kurau, Perak.

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Recalling his experience and the challenges he faced during the climb, Khairil Aslan said he had faced high risks throughout the expedition because climbing during the cold season was 10 times more difficult than normal.

“At the peak of Island, which was the last peak that I conquered, I was almost 95 per cent dead because of the change in weather and wind condition was very drastic at about 4.30 am on Dec 20. The wind was blowing at speeds of between 140 kmph and 160 kmph.

“At that time, I could not feel anything anymore. The blood in my body was no longer flowing. At that time, one of the three sherpas told me if we were to die, we would die together between 4.30 am and 5.30 am,” he said.

However, Khairil Aslan said a miracle happened at 6.30am when he could move his lips while praising the greatness of Allah after the sunlight appeared right above his head.

“At that time, I could warm up my body and could move my body.  Alhamdulillah, at 8am, I set foot on Island peak and we quickly moved down to base camp subsequently,” he said. — Bernama