By M.Rajini
A tiny spark to achieve big, carried Rajasekar Pachai from the sea-level to 8,848 metres above, to the summit of Mt. Everest. As the world celebrates the 70th anniversary of Tenzing and Hillary summiting the highest peak in May 1953, this 28 year old boy from Kovalam has become the first civilian in Tamilnadu to scale the peak. The bizarre experiences, and a rollercoaster of emotions encountered in the journey, portrays Rajasekar as a spiritual, goal-oriented, and persevering youth. Adyar Times hopes that other aspirants in the neighbourhood are inspired by this story, and dare to dream big.
What is that tiny hurt which sparked your dreams?
I am a fisherman by birth, and a fish in the ocean waters, breathing the salty air. As a surfer, I have acquired prominence in the sport. I was given great recognition, but always with the tag – it is easy for you because you are a fisherman, meaning ‘it was not a big deal’. After all, I am adapted to the ecology of the sea. That made me want to test my endurance in a totally alien environment and prove a point. On googling, I found that no civilian from Tamilnadu had climbed to the summit of Mt. Everest. I started digging more information on that.
It is an expensive affair, how did you get a sponsor?
It is my good fortune that I was training the children of Sabareesan (the son-in-law of our CM). He is a down to earth person, and very friendly. I casually mentioned my dream to him one day. But I never dreamt that he would call me later and ask me to start my training. He asked me to focus on my goal, and all expenses for the expedition will be on him.
How did you get started?
I was put through a company called KYN powered by PRO (Peninsular Research Operations). I started with smaller peaks at lower altitudes and gradually reached the Base Camp on April 13. Finally, I got through physical fitness too.
What was the next level in training?
I was advised to do a rotation between the camps, which improved my mental and physical resilience. This took 25 days. I had to climb to Camp 1 from Base and return; then from Base to Camp 2 and back; Base to Camp 3 and back. This got me acclimatised with variations in pressure and temperature (-30 degrees). Actually, we are allowed a window of 5 to 8 days only, to reach the summit. All the ten months of endurance training was to negotiate the treacherous last leg of the mountain. This had to be done only at night, to minimise the chances of facing avalanches. I started at 8.30 pm and reached the peak at 5.30 am (-40 degrees).
What was your nourishment during the climb?
My Sherpa had a small cylinder stove, on which he places a pan, scoops some snow from the floor and puts it in. When it comes to boil he adds instant coffee powder which has milk and sugar in it. When it boils, the aroma of the coffee takes you to the summit, and drinking it brings tears to your eyes. It is the best thing to look forward to, in this saga. In the same manner he cooks Jasmine rice and cup-o-noodles, not an inviting meal. The coffee is given only once a day. For energy we eat chocolates.
How do you navigate the Mountain?
We carry the ice axe, oxygen cylinder, and a sleeping mat. Our shoes (3 Kgs each) give us a grip. We have a harness with heavy metallic hooks attached. There are stretches of ropes hooked all along till the summit. My blue rope was my lifeline. Just before we started, there was an avalanche and three climbers were buried in the snow. So, somewhere along, where we climbers had to walk, there were three dead people, covered by snow. It felt eerie!
Can you detail your emotions when you were on your own?
Only at Camp 3 I was left alone in my tent. I reached at 4 in the evening. I lay down on the mat with the oxygen mask. I had a headlight to use if needed. There was absolute silence and total darkness. My breathing was the only sound I heard. Fear gripped me. After mentally groping in the dark on the various casualties I might face, I eventually started questioning the mad decision I had taken. It is one of the longest nights I have ever spent. In spite of the Down suit, the biting cold and the chill in the bone were the only reminders that I was alive. I hugged my water bottle and kept pressing my frozen foot on it. I started doubting if I will wake up to see the sun. But then I haven’t slept yet. Or have I? Is this a mad dream, the wind howling and I am as blind as a bat. I curled up and started praying till I fell asleep. I was born again when I felt the first rays of the sun. I thought I was over with the mental turmoil, but it was just the beginning.
Oh! What happened?
On my way to Camp 4, the rescue team was bringing down the dead body of a climber. Since it is a narrow one way path, I had to cling to the side to give way. The corpse just scraped over my leg as it slid down. My heart was in my throat. Even in the city, when an ambulance crosses I say a prayer. Just imagine my turmoil. I frantically prayed to God to give me the mental strength.
Next stop is only the summit, isn’t it?
There was one stop when a stone rolled and hit my knee. I screamed in pain. Of course, we did not have to search for ice for a cold pack (laughs). I drank hot water and continued. At Hillary’s step, a person ahead of me tripped and fell on a ledge. His Sherpa called for emergency help. The person could not be pulled up. He was unconscious. We could not even wait to help him, because our Oxygen will become insufficient. My knees were shaky. After 10 minutes of dragging myself with determination, I saw the EVEREST peak. I stood riveted and hot tears were streaming down my cheeks uncontrollably. I made it!!
Rajasekar Pachai can be reached at 98842 96239, or [email protected]. Follow him at kuttisurf on Instagram and Facebook.
