Trapped on Alaskan mountain for 4 days, M'sian climber makes it home

Stranded during a climbing expedition in the United States, Zainudin Lot had to brave -25C temperatures and crawl to find help after his friend died.

The 49-year-old reached the summit of Mount Denali in Alaska but became trapped during the descent on May 28.

He admitted that he almost gave up hope of being rescued as he and his friend, the late Zulkifli Yusuf, 37, had spent four days in an ad hoc shelter due to bad weather.

“(Zulkifli) died on the second day… and the next day, I spotted a helicopter hovering over the area but it had difficulty trying to land.

“I had to muster all my strength to wave my hands to show that I was still alive,” he told reporters upon arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang today.

“When the helicopter came back for the third time, I managed to crawl out of the shelter… and when I turned around, I saw the helicopter coming to rescue me.”

He said the whole experience affected him mentally more than physically, although he suffered injuries to his feet and fingers.

“It has been a traumatic experience, with long-lasting effects. I am very grateful to ALLAH SWT for extending my life and hope that I continue to recover and be healthy,” he said.

When asked if he would stop mountain climbing, Zainudin said he is not discouraged by what has happened because climbers know the risks involved and it is an activity they are interested in.

“I am grateful to be able to return to see my family. Thank you to everyone who prayed for me,” he said.

Meanwhile, Zainudin’s eldest sister Rohana, 55, said she is thankful for her brother’s safe return, likening it to “coming back to life’’.

“He is a person who likes extreme activities and we are thankful that he is safe. He always asks for our mother’s blessings before going anywhere.

“This can be considered a Hari Raya Aidiladha gift and we are thankful he has returned to celebrate it with us,” she said.

A mother’s prayers

Meanwhile, Zainudin’s mother Hasidah Hamid, 73, said she prayed for her son’s safe return after finding out about the incident.

“I was sad to learn that he was trapped. But I always prayed for his safe return, and Alhamdulillah, he is safe,” she said.

On June 1, Alpine Club Malaysia (ACM) said three Malaysian climbers were stranded at an altitude of 19,700 feet (6,004m) on the highest mountain in the North American continent, since May 28 during a climb.

ACM said Zulkifli died at 6am on May 29 (local time) while taking shelter in the snow cave.

- Bernama

Body of Malaysian climber Zulkifli arrives home

M'sian climber dead, another rescued near top of Mt Denali, Alaska

Sherpa downplays mountaineer's 'late thank you' as misunderstanding

Everest climber's late thank you to sherpa riles up netizens