From Mount Kilimanjaro to Mount Everest: The three climbers-hikers who kick started the bigger expedition to the Everest Base Camp in Nepal in April in 2025, as a charity climb challenge for the Mount Edgecombe Temple Society’s food-for-life project, from left, Anesh Rampartab, Subramoney Spinks and team leader Rajen Pillay.
Climb Every
Mountain!
(sub headline) Intrepid charity climbers gear up for
Everest expedition for feeding scheme
By Marlan Padayachee
An intrepid
group of hikers and climbers from Durban, eThekwini, and other KwaZulu-Natal
towns is preparing to scale the iconic Mount Everest in Nepal in April next
year. This 14-member expedition team, made up predominantly of individuals of
Indian origin, will be the first of its kind from South Africa. They recently
launched the North-South Everest Base Camp 2025 mission at Suncoast Casino,
with the goal of raising funds for poverty alleviation and a feeding scheme
project initiated by the historic Mount Edgecombe Shri Mariammen Temple Society
near Phoenix.
The
North-South Hiking Club brings together climbers from the north and south
coasts of KZN and includes two women among its dedicated, professionally
diverse members. This passionate group of fitness enthusiasts hails from areas
such as Port Shepstone, Stanger, Richards Bay, and Johannesburg.
Flights and
travel arrangements are secured for the group, who will depart from Durban to
Kathmandu via Doha, Qatar, just before the Easter long weekend. A specialist
mountain expedition company has arranged all travel, accommodations, and
logistics for the climb, which will offer not only challenging treks, but also
breathtaking views and unique cultural experiences in the heart of the
Himalayas.
The journey
kicks off in Kathmandu, nestled between India and China, with the first
challenge being a daring flight to Lukla—a small but notoriously thrilling
airstrip with one of the world’s shortest runways. If weather conditions make
this landing too risky, the group will travel by road, a five-hour journey that
leads them to a trio of mountain villages. From there, the trekkers will ascend
through the lush Dudh Kosi Valley, a trail adorned with rhododendron forests,
prayer wheels, and suspension bridges draped in colorful prayer flags.
The team has
already undertaken a series of preparation activities, including road races and
hikes. They will further their training with a three-day session in the
Drakensberg Mountains’ Sani Pass from November 14 to 17.
This major
expedition to Everest was inspired by three team members who successfully
climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in February 2023, dedicating that climb to fundraise
for community-based organizations in Tongaat and Verulam. Team leader Rajendran
Pillay, a former high school educator from Tongaat, reflected on the success of
their previous campaign, made possible with support from the Tabloid Media
Weekly Gazette. He is joined by fellow hikers Anesh Rampartab, a fresh produce
dealer from Sea Tides, and Subramoney Spinks Isipingo, a line manager in
upholstery manufacturing from Durban.
The current
climb will support the Mount Edgecombe Shri Mariammen Temple, a historic
institution with deep roots in South Africa’s Indian community. Founded by
Indian indentured labourers in 1860, the temple has long been a hub for both
spiritual and charitable initiatives. “We are pleased to be associated with an
institution that has focused on poverty alleviation and a feeding scheme for
vulnerable people in Phoenix, Mount Edgecombe, and nearby areas,” said Pillay.
The charity
feeding scheme is scheduled for the Easter long weekend, aligning with the
climbers’ journey. It includes traditional holiday festivities and awards for
high achievers. The climbers aim to elevate the profile of this temple both
locally and globally while raising essential funds for its outreach programs.
Seelan
Achary, chairperson of the Shri Mariammen Temple Society, praised the hikers’
mission, saying, “With each step and ascent, these climbers transform personal
passion into a purposeful mission. Their journey isn’t just a physical conquest
but a testament to compassion and unity, raising awareness and funds for those
in need. This charitable gesture speaks to their commitment to turning
adventure into advocacy, making every climb a symbol of hope and generosity.”
As they
prepare for this remarkable journey, the North-South Everest climbers hope to
inspire future generations, especially within the Indian and broader black
communities in South Africa, to embrace this extreme sport. Through this
expedition, they aim to make a lasting impact, combining the thrill of
adventure with the spirit of charity.
·
The
community-at-large, public, sponsors and funding agencies should deposit the
monies directly into the temple’s banking account: FNB Gold Business Account
630 717 495 94,
Branch Code:
FNB Crescent: 25 06 55, Reference: North-South EBC 2025.
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