Babar Ali, a physician from Hathazari Upazila in Chattogram, reached the summit of Mount Everest on Sunday at 8:45am Bangladesh time, becoming the latest Bangladeshi and the first from Chattogram to conquer the world's highest peak.
Babar's achievement has sparked widespread acclaim in Chattogram and across social media. His travelling organisation, Vertical Dreamers, continuously shared the updated news of his journey via Facebook posts, stating, "By the grace of Almighty and the blessings of millions of well-wishers, mother nature has placed Babar on her peak." The basecamp managers and Outfit owner confirmed the updates.
The Expedition's Chief Coordinator Farhan Zaman, confirmed Babar's ascent, saying, "Babar Ali has touched the highest peak Everest at 8:30 am local time (Nepal) and 8:45 pm (Bangladesh time) this morning. He has set his eyes on Mount Lhotse which is a 27,940 feet ascent."
Babar, who left Bangladesh for Nepal on April 1, underwent extensive preparations before embarking on his Everest journey. After a week of trekking from Kathmandu to the base camp, he began his ascent towards the peak of the daunting Mount Everest.
The Tk 4.5 million worth expedition was sponsored by Visual Knitwear Limited, Everest Pharmaceuticals Limited, Dhaka Divers Club, Beacon Pharmaceuticals Limited, Blue Jeans, Chandrabindu Prakashani, Giri, and Vertical Dreamers, and has been successfully completed.
Social and sports organisations and well-wishers from Bangladesh and abroad contributed to the crowdfunding efforts. At the same time, Babar Ali's club, Vertical Dreamers, coordinated the overall expedition.
Babar Ali, a prolific mountaineer, began his Himalayan journey in 2014 when he summited a 5,000-metre peak in Nepal, which was organised by the club. In 2016, he became part of the team that summited Mount Yanan of India in alpine style, considered the purest form of mountaineering, making it the first time a Bangladeshi team had summited a 20,000-foot peak.
With his successful Everest climb, Babar Ali now aims to conquer Mount Lhotse, the fourth-highest mountain in the world. If successful, he will be the first Bangladeshi to summit Lhotse and the first to climb the two 8,000-metre peaks in a single expedition, marking a new milestone in Bangladeshi mountaineering.
Bangladesh's history with Everest began when Musa Ibrahim reached the summit on May 23, 2010. Following him were Mohammad Abdul Muhith on May 21, 2011, Nishat Majumder on May 19, 2012, Wasfia Nazrin on May 26, 2012, and Sajal Khaled on May 20, 2013.
Nishat Majumder was the first Bangladeshi woman to summit Everest.
As Babar Ali descends from Everest, he is already setting his sights on Lhotse, asking supporters for their continued prayers and support.
