Kathmandu, May 23 :

At 70, Japanese climber Takao Aramaya became the oldest person to have climbed the world’s highest peak by breaking the previous record holder Yuichiro Miura’s feat by just three days. It was a mere coincidence since he was not planning to set the new world record.

“Conquering Mt Everest at 70 was at the back of my mind for a few years and I was finally able to fulfill my dream. I had no idea that I was the oldest person to reach the top of the world until the Sherpa guides broke the news to me while descending to the Base Camp,” Aramaya told The Himalayan Times. Another 70-year-old Japanese, Yuichiro, had conquered the peak in May 2003 becoming the oldest person to achieve the feat.

Takao said he “felt nothing” when he reached the summit but it was worthwhile to witness the spectacular view and the mountain range. He placed his pet dog’s picture on the peak and took photographs. “I was in a state of confusion and I was more worried about my safe journey back to the Base Camp,” he said. Now that he has realised his dreams, he wants to quit climbing since he is “too old to climb” again. Takao scaled the peak as part of the Adventure Guides Qomolangma Expedition 2006 from North Col on May 17. He is just relaxing in Kathmandu trying to recover from exhaustion and fatigue instead of moving around.