Mustering his courage for a daring climb
Keep trying, until you finally succeed. This is a lesson which some of us are yet to learn and this was just what Johann Peries sought to prove, as he set off on his expedition to conquer the biggest hurdle in his life, earlier this year. On May 22, 2018, Johann became the first Sri Lankan man to summit Mount Everest. This is a feat which only approximately 8306 people in the world have managed to achieve since 1953.
Johann cutting the welcome cake. Pix by Sameera Weerasekera
Summiting the world’s highest mountain peak is only half the journey, for the descent is an entirely different matter altogether and somewhat more dangerous.
However, despite all the odds, on Friday (June 1), a slightly tired and a somewhat thin Johann, stepped into the Cutting Station, Kotte with a triumphant and joyous look on his face.
We were able to steal Johann from his welcome party for a few moments, where he shared his experience with us.
Having first attempted the climb back in 2016 with Jayanthi Kuru Utumpala (who became the first Sri Lankan to summit the mountain), Johann had an understanding of what the task before him entailed and preparations he needed to make.
“But I had forgotten one thing and that was how challenging it was when it actually came to the climb,” he shares with us. In fact Johann’s journey for the second time was far from easy, his team had gotten caught to several storms and other difficulties, which any climber on that mountain would face. At times he also had to scale rocks from a ninety degree angle.
Aside from these, Johann recalls the whole climb itself being a risk. This was especially so, going through the Khumbu Icefall, as one does not know what time it’ll come down. “In fact the day when we came down there was a massive avalanche. We just stood there thinking that we had only come from that exact spot an hour ago,” he says, adding that the journey comes down to timing and good weather.
One of the toughest things that Johann faced was, having to deal with death on the mountain, which was all around him. “All of us making the climb do talk about it. But when you actually see someone, who was making the climb with you, die, that is the biggest hurdle,” he explains, adding that you have to muster all your courage to push on, knowing that this might very well be your fate.
“But I kept my focus, realizing what my challenge was. Because I knew that I wasn’t doing this only for myself, but for my country as well.”
After summiting, it took Johann about three to four minutes to take things in and realize that he was actually standing at the top. “My Sherpa looked at me and said ‘you’re standing on top of the world and that’s when I looked around” he recalls adding that it was the most spectacular sight he had had seen. He had also gotten quite emotional, knowing that he had done it this time.
Johann remembers being able to spend fifteen minutes at the top of the world, a moment which he describes as surreal. The weather itself was perfect and this allowed him to take his goggles off, because there was no wind.
“It was one of the most beautiful days which they’ve not had on the mountain for a long time and I think it was just for me,” he chuckles.
Johann strongly believes that all of us have our own mountains to climb in whatever we do. His message is that you should never give up on your dreams. And even though there might be a few a failures down the line, you just have to keep pushing on.
“A few years ago when I failed, I said ‘I’m never going back’ and it took me a while to realize that we need to chase after our dreams. Just because you fail once, doesn’t mean you have to give up on everything,” he shares.
Johann’s story is one of sheer determination and courage. And without a doubt it would inspire the future generations to come.