The Singapore Indoor Everest Challenge by Safavi Philanthropic Initiative Chairman, Francesco Reza Safavi.
$29,030 (elevation of Mt. Everest)
has been raised for charity
ABOUT THE CHALLENGE
Francesco Reza Safavi, has successfully climbed Mt. Everest solo and without the use of oxygen with the help of accomplished Everest climber and Explorer Mr. Khoo Swee Chiow in his home during the Covid-19 lockdown. Mr. Khoo, who was part of the first Singaporean team to summit Everest, was instrumental in making sure this summit attempt would be carried out as “safely” and accurately as possible, as it was Mr. Safavi’s first time on Everest.
This climb was not just running up and down nearly 4000 flights of stairs in his two storey home and adding up elevations and reaching the top of the world. All details of the climb from the 21 day hike out of Kathmandu to Base Camp and the various rotations necessary between the camps to climatize were managed as accurately as possible. Distances, climbing elevation, including rest times were considered.
Everest climber and Explorer Mr. Khoo Swee Chiow
Francesco Reza Safavi completing the climb
“It was important to have a mental understanding of the mountain and the climb and to have a very experienced guide, and Swee Chiow was able to provide that” Said Mr. Safavi, “even though there were numerous risks along the way”. “Swee Chiow was mindful of the dangers such as crossing the Khumba ice falls, or the tradeoff between acclimatization and conserving energy for the summit”. Mr. Khoo has also been mentally preparing Mr. Safavi via phone, and digital messaging apps with details such as camp conditions and difficulties to prepare for along the way. According to Mr. Khoo, “if the mind is willing, the body will adapt”.
“I had no idea that Camp 1 at a lower elevation is colder than Camp 2 because Camp 2 sits on rock instead of ice.”
“I am very fortunate and honored to have had as my guide a true renowned explorer who is the 1st South East Asian and the 4th person in the world to complete The Explorers Grand Slam, that is the South Pole, the North Pole, and the seven summits.” “I thank Swee Chiow for having helped us in this charity event” said Mr. Safavi.
Much depended on the weather conditions, but the attempt to summit was scheduled for the first week of May, generally considered an optimal time. Mr. Safavi is one of the few who have attempted to climb Everest solo and without the use of oxygen. To make the climb even harder, the attempt to summit was without the use of air-conditioning, brining average indoor temperatures at this time of year in Singapore to nearly 35 degrees Celsius (95 fahrenheit ). Mr. Safavi noted that what kept him motivated to continue climbing up and down his staircase at home in this one month journey to summit was the relentless teasing by his three teenage daughters. “We are all trying to make lemonade with lemons at this very difficult time. We are happy to help, even in this small way, by supporting several charities with this monumental climb.
Mr. Safavi and Mr. Khoo are already in discussions about climbing Lhotse (not indoor but in Nepal), next year which at 27,940ft makes it the 4th highest peak in the world. We look forward to the day that we move past this current pandemic and enjoy the great outdoors again.
