While most people imagine the upper reaches of Mount Everest as a freezing, snow-covered world, one climber's recent experience reveals a completely different side of the mountain. In a post shared on TikTok (@loefakhrul), the climber detailed his surprising encounter with extreme heat while ascending between Camp 2 and Camp 3, at a staggering altitude of 6,600 meters above sea level.
Despite being surrounded by snow and dense fog, the climber described feeling intense heat that left him and other climbers drenched in sweat. According to him, the blazing sun, combined with the reflection off the snow, created a sweltering environment even in the high-altitude cold.
@loefakhrul Masa ni pkl 1 tghari di ketinggian 6600. Saya dan sherpa saya yg dah 9 kali summit everest buat latihan acclamatize dari Camp 2. Sherpa saya seorang yg berpengalamanan dan beliau juga adalan international guide dan instructor juga. Walaupun keadaan disitu bersalji dan berkabus, mmg blh terasa bahang matahari direct dan juga pantulan pada salji. Sejuk hanya klu ada angin ketika tu ataupun waktu semakin petang. masa tu mmg sejuk yakmat. Perkara ini adalah biasa di waktu siang ye. Bkn ada kena mengena penyakit gunung atau apa2. Jgn buat palatau dan memandai2 plak. Guide saya berpeluh2 dah siap bukak baju lg sbb trek dia blh tahan mencanak waktu tu. Sbb tu kita tgk org naik everest muka burn habis sbb bahang dia 2 kali ganda dari ketinggian paras laut. Sbb tu kebanyakkan sherpa2 yg nak bwk barang ke camp 3 dari camp 2 akan pilih berjalan waktu malam sebab lebih sejuk. Klu siang blh dtgkan dehydrate pada badan sbb panas membahang. Ada yg tgh turun dan selisih dgn kami kebanyakkan pun bukak jaket bagai sbb panas. saya je malas nak bukak sbb berlapis. kang dtg angin sejuk balik. Guide saya pun x bagi bukak. Guide saya kena batuk atau khumbu cough dah lebih 2 minggu. kebanykkan guide dan pendaki pun ramai yg dah kena. ini juga perkara biasa di atas everest. Batuk ni mmg ubat dia bila turun nanti jelah. selagi kat atas ni mmg susah nak hilang.
original sound - Bomba Everest
"It may be snowy, but you can really feel the direct heat from the sun along with its reflection off the snow. It's only cold when there's wind or when evening approaches. Midday heat up here is on a whole different level," he explained.
Even his guide, a seasoned Sherpa who has reached Everest's peak nine times, had to remove his shirt, unable to bear the scorching sun. The climber clarified that this extreme heat isn't a symptom of altitude sickness but rather a common phenomenon experienced during the daytime at such high elevations. He also noted that the sun's intensity at Everest can feel twice as strong as it does at sea level.
"If you've ever noticed Everest climbers with sunburned faces, this is why. The heat is no joke," he said.
To avoid the harsh daytime conditions, many Sherpas opt to trek during the night when temperatures are lower and the risk of dehydration is reduced. During his climb, the man noticed that many fellow climbers had also taken off their jackets due to the overwhelming heat.
"I didn't bother taking mine off because I was wearing several layers. If a cold wind hits suddenly, it's going to be uncomfortable," he added.
In his video, the climber also highlighted the common health issues faced at high altitudes, particularly Khumbu Cough, a persistent cough triggered by the dry and thin air. "My guide has been coughing for two weeks. It's tough to recover at this altitude. Many climbers suffer from it," he shared.
He likened the conditions to the midday weather in Malaysia, known for its stifling heat. Still, despite the burning sun, climbers are required to wear full protective gear, including hats and neck covers, to shield themselves from harmful UV rays and the rapidly changing extreme temperatures.
Concluding his video, the climber humbly reflected on the power of nature, stating that everything that happens at the top of the world is by the will of Allah SWT, a reminder of the Creator's unmatched ability to shape the forces of the earth.
