BALTISTAN: August 1, 2026 – Two climbers from Sabah have joined a historic expedition to Khusargang Peak in Pakistan, aiming to become the first Malaysians to scale the 6,100-metre mountain.
The expedition, which began on the July 29th, comprises eight Malaysian climbers. The two participants from Sabah are Jack Arrey Jaim and Donney Jasmi. Jack is a Top 3 finalist in the Mister Kaamatan (MRK) 2024 pageant and founder of Jack Adventure, while Jasmi is the founder of Umbalai Brand. The remaining six participants include two climbers from Melaka, three from Selangor, and one from Terengganu.
Jack said the participation was not merely about fulfilling a personal dream, but carried a mission to introduce Sabah on the international stage through extreme mountaineering. The expedition forms part of his MRK manifesto to elevate the state’s image and inspire more Sabahans to boldly take part in global-scale mountain expeditions.
“This climb is the first step in proving that Sabahans can compete in high-altitude expeditions. I hope more Sabahans will step forward to challenge themselves by joining more demanding mountain climbs abroad in the future,” he said.
The team also aims to introduce traditional attire and the unique cultural heritage of Sabah to the international climbing community, as part of efforts to promote the state’s legacy on a global level.
Khusargang Peak was selected for its extreme challenges. At 6,100 metres, it towers over Mount Kinabalu, which stands at 4,095 metres. Snow and ice conditions demand technical skills, as well as high physical and mental endurance.
Among the other key challenges is the journey to the summit, which takes more than a week. Temperatures are expected to drop to minus 10 degrees Celsius. Facilities at the base camp are extremely limited; participants will camp without comfortable accommodation, water supplies, toilets or other basic necessities. Unpredictable weather, including the risk of snowstorms, also poses a threat throughout the climb.
“This is our first experience at 6,100 metres altitude. The challenges are immense, but a year of preparation has given us confidence to face every difficulty on the mountain,” Jack said.
The expedition is set to make history as the first Malaysian team to summit Khusargang Peak.
