Differently-abled Climber Conquers Mountains By Crawling

By Norhidayyu Zainal

KAJANG, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- While most people walk or climb using their legs, this remarkable individual achieves such feats solely through the strength of his arms.

Despite being diagnosed with paraplegia, which causes lower-body paralysis due to spinal cord damage, Azzrulkhan Hasrullah Matsah refused to let his condition dampen his passion for climbing—even if it meant doing so by crawling.

Defying the odds, Kuching, Sarawak-born Azzrulkhan Hasrullah Matsah made personal history in 2018 by conquering Everest Base Camp—5,365 metres above sea level—using the crawling method during an expedition organised by the Kelab Eksplorasi 7 Benua Malaysia.

Prior to that, this 32-year-old had already etched his name in the Malaysia Book of Records as the first differently-abled individual to conquer Mount Kinabalu in Sabah by crawling—a feat he achieved in 2016.

pic-2

"To this day, I still dream of reaching the summit of Mount Everest. However, I understand that it demands meticulous preparation and a high level of commitment, particularly when it comes to safety," he said.

 “If all goes as planned, I am also preparing to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, at the end of next year,” he said when met by Bernama recently.

Being among regular climbers poses its own challenges for Azzrulkhan Hasrullah, or more affectionately known as Adam, especially in adapting to various obstacles that demand physical strength and mental endurance.

pic-3

"To maintain my fitness, I engage in various physical activities such as swimming, running (using a wheelchair), and targeted exercises to strengthen my muscles," said Adam, who often shares his climbing activities on his TikTok account @SiswaLabahLabah.

When asked about the challenges of climbing by crawling, the holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from the International Islamic University Malaysia noted that the difficulty is comparable to what regular climbers face.

 “If they (regular climbers) feel tired, I feel tired too. The difference is that they use their legs, while I use my hands. If they experience fatigue in their legs, I feel it in my hands,” he explained.

pic-4

“That’s why I need gloves and thick clothing to protect my body, which is always close to the ground while crawling, to avoid risks like coming into contact with wild plants or sharp objects,” he explained.

Adam, who works in the insurance sector, said his interest in climbing was sparked by his admiration for the beauty of God’s creation in nature, as well as his desire to challenge his own capabilities.

"To prevent any mishaps, I usually research the climbing area in advance, paying particular attention to the trail conditions. If it's too challenging or rocky, I won't proceed.

pic-5

“The toughest challenge I’ve faced was climbing Mount Trusmadi in Tambunan, Sabah, in 2017. I suffered from hypothermia and lost consciousness, forcing my team to carry me back to the campsite. At that point, I was only about 600 metres away from the summit,” he shared.

Adam, who climbed all 2,058 steps of the Kuala Lumpur Tower in 2017, said that being a person with disabilities (PWD) is not the end of life but rather a beginning to prove that physical limitations do not hinder success.

"Climbing was the starting point for me to lead a more active life. Since I began in 2014, I’ve grown more courageous and have participated in various extreme sports, including running, volleyball, archery, swimming, basketball, and kayaking.  

“I’ve also become more confident in myself… my goal is to inspire others and prove that PWDs are just like anyone else. What matters is that we have strong determination,” he said, expressing gratitude for the unwavering support from his wife, Syarifah Syafiqah Syed Nasir, and his family.

 -- BERNAMA