Palakkad: Young trekker R Babu said on Friday that mental strength and fortitude helped him endure the challenge he faced at Kumbachimala here after he was discharged from the hospital.
Babu, who was trapped in the face of a mountain cleft in Kumbachimala, was rescued by the Indian Army through a breathtaking operation on Wednesday.
“I shall continue trekking. But next time I'll ensure that I take the necessary saftey measures and permission from respective authorities,” he said.
Babu was received by his mother Rasheeda and brother Shaji when he returned home after a gap of four days. He has been advised to take a week's rest before resuming work.
“No one should attempt such endeavors without taking adequate precautions. Always carry sufficient water and food while on such missions,” he said.
"I was unable to climb up due to the injury on my leg. But I could climb down. That's how I ended up at the cleft. I climbed down further so that the rescue team could easily spot me," he said.
Babu added that he was not worried of dying or not being rescued.
"I was rescued from a spot I was in from Tuesday night. I didn't sleep as I feared of falling down," Babu added.
He said that he would have tried to slide down to safety if the rescue team could not save him.
"I was not afraid. The cleft was like a tiny cave. When it was too cold and too hot outside, I used to crawl into the gorge and came outside whenever I heard anyone calling my name," he told reporters .
When asked whether he realised that his rescue was breaking news in channels, the trekker said he was not aware about it but he was sure that someone would come to lift him to safety.
"The mobile phone lost its charge by the evening. Before that, I managed to click some selfies and sent to my friends to inform them that I was stranded there. I also tried to convey the message to the Fire and Rescue personnel," he detailed.
Babu said besides the severe climate, the lack of food and water was also an issue as he developed difficulties with the time running out.
On the failed mission of airlifting him from the cleft initially, the youth said it was not possible as its rotors would hit the rock.
'To continue trekking'
Stating that he would like to continue his passion for travelling and trekking, Babu also said his present priority was to take proper rest and have good food.
"I'm willing to climb Mount Everest with adequate training," Babu said while adding that he faced no physical difficulties.
He added that he owed his life to the army and hospital authorities.
After being trapped in a cleft on a mountain face in Malampuzha area of Palakkad district in Kerala for nearly two days, rescue teams of the Army were able to reach Babu, provide him food and water and then haul him to safety on Wednesday morning.
A specialist mountaineering team of the Madras Regimental Centre (MRC) rescued him from the cleft.
The Army deployed two teams consisting of qualified mountaineers and rock climbing experts from Parachute Regimental Centre, Bangalore and Madras Regimental Centre, Wellington.
Babu, along with two others, had on Monday decided to climb to the top of Cherad hill there, but the other two abandoned the effort halfway.
However, Babu continued to climb to the hilltop, and after reaching there, slipped and fell and got trapped between rocks on the mountain face.
