Prakash Harrispersadh is an intrepid octogenarian mountaineer

“MEET the inspiring 80 year-old climber tackling Mount Kilimanjaro,” the POST, May 14-18.

What an amazing man Prakash Harrispersadh is. When most of us have given up on life, stumbling and fumbling around with a walking stick, or lying in bed waiting for death, Harripersadh shows no intention of slowing down, puts away his hiking boots and enjoys his last few years with his family. Even at the ripe old age of 80, he still has itchy feet and wants to go up Mount Kilimanjaro.

I could not believe the long list of his achievements.

He has hiked and climbed several mountains around the world. He has even been to Mount Everest base camp. I am sure it must have been his ambition to go to the top of the world’s highest mountain. I remember meeting him when I hiked up Sani Pass the first time some years ago with my wife and two sons. He told us it was his 22nd climb.

While I struggled and gasped, he was strolling up the steep pass like it was child’s play. And when you see the others doing it in the comfort of their big 4-4’s, you wonder what madness is this to walk up the long, winding pass. To do it once is an ordeal; but to do it 32 times as Harrispersadh has done?

What a passion he has for mountaineering! Even more remarkable, he is a lonely traveler, hiking all by himself and spending lonely nights in his tent under the starry nights. I wish I was like him.

And now he wants to do Mount Kilimanjaro again. No prize, award, or title; just a personal achievement and, of course, the satisfaction that he graced the pages of the POST. He is indeed a man in a million. Thanks POST for telling us about this intrepid mountain man. I wish he completes Africa’s highest mountain and comes back to tell us how he did it at 80.

THYAGARAJ MARKANDAN

Kloof

** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media

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