GEORGE TOWN: Muhammad Illaham Ishak, 47, one of three Malaysian climbers who reached the peak of Mount Denali, in Alaska, the United States, is being treated for frostbite.
Balik Pulau member of parliament Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik said he had spoken with Illaham on the phone today.
He said Illaham, from Balik Pulau, informed him that Zulkifli Yusuf, 37, was confirmed dead, while Zainudin Lot, 47, was also being treated for frostbite.
"Illaham told me that as they were descending after reaching the peak of Mount Denali, Zulkifli suddenly could not move, probably due to frostbite.
"He said he and Zainudin helped Zulkifli to come down before they sought shelter at a snow cave known as 'Football field', which is at a height of 6,004m above sea level.
"Mount Denali is 6,194m.
"Illaham told me he went down to get help even though he had frostbite on his hands and legs.
"He found forest rangers and told them what had happened, but the rangers could not climb up due to the bad weather.
"He told me the rangers arranged for him to be sent to a hospital in Anchorage for treatment, which is quite a distance from Mount Denali."
Bakhtiar said Illaham informed him that they were waiting for Zulkifli's remains to brought down.
"He told me that they would contact Zulkifli's family, as he is single, to ask them whether they wanted him to be buried in Alaska or his body to be brought back to Malaysia for burial."
Bakhtiar said he was informed by Illaham that Zainudin's wife had arrived in Alaska.
Kelab Jelajah Alpine Malaysia confirmed Zulkifli's death on Wednesday.
His cause of death is suspected due to high altitude cerebral edema and hypothermia but will be confirmed by a post-mortem.
Illaham, the president of the club, had scaled several of the world's highest peaks, including Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mount Elbrus in Russia, Mount Everest in Nepal, Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, and Mount Carstensz in Indonesia.
The expedition involving the other two climbers is vying for recognition in the 'Malaysia Book of Records' for an independent climb without assistance from mountain guides or other professional parties.
