For 50 year-old Dr Murad Lala, age is just a number and Mount Everest another conquest. Achieving what a lot of youngsters can’t, the consultant surgical oncologist at Hinduja National Hospital in Mumbai conquered the world’s mightiest peak on May 19. In the city for an event, Dr Lala shares with us the challenge of scaling Mount Everest.
Q. What was the first thing you did after your return?
I ate a lot (laughs) and then, slept for a really long time the moment I returned to Mumbai. I took a good rest as I had lost half my weight, and it took me more than a week to get back to work.
Q. What was on your mind during your climb? Did you even for a second think that you wanted to turn back?
Thankfully no. One step at a time, that was all I thought about. My team and I successfully reached the summit and luckily, we didn’t face any major problems. There was one small glitch though. My headlight stopped working towards the end and that posed a lot of problems during the climb at night. I had to rely on the climbers in front of me and behind to change the safety line during the trek. It was a bit difficult.
Q. What about basic amenities such as food?
I could bathe only four times in the eight weeks it took us to climb the Mount Everest from Nepal. After we left from the base camp, there was nothing. That was the only place where you get good food and can take a shower. After the base camp, from camp one to four, there is no chance to have a bath. As for food, we had to rely only on energy bars and drinks, because it’s not easy to carry so much weight and climb the peak.
Q. You and your team were lucky enough. Was it more or less the same for the other climbers who were there this year?
Not at all. This year, out of 400, only 280 people successfully climbed the Mount Everest and the death toll is 10. It shows that it isn’t so easy, and the team I chose -- the Peak Freaks -- has a flawless record which helped me.
Q. How did you pick up your team and what was the cost of the trip?
Well, I researched a lot online and I found them. The group is a Canadian mountain-climbing team, which has 100 percent success rate for the last 20 years. I got in touch with the people and was the only Indian on their team. The trip cost me `30 lakh overall with some of the contribution coming from the hospital I work at .
Q. How did you practice in Mumbai till you left for the climb in April?
The easiest workout was to climb up 16 floors to my hospital instead of taking the lift and to walk back home. (laughs). But, I also trained at a gym which simulated an atmosphere similar to high altitudes so that my body could get used to the weather. In October 2012, I climbed three peaks including Pokhalde, Island peak and Lobuche in Nepal to acclimatise myself.
Q. And after returning did your health take a beating or did you face any problems?
Not at all. I just needed a lot of rest.
Q. And was it worth the effort finally? On reaching Everest, how did you feel?
Of course it was. But more than the peak, it’s the journey that is beautiful. That’s what it is all about.
