One of the most recognisable faces in Bangladesh’s mountaineering scene is Everest summiteer Ikramul Hasan Shakil. With a mission to create a plastic-free environment, he embarked on a ‘Sea to Summit’ expedition, during which he set three world records simultaneously—also breaking the record of Australian mountaineer Tim Macartney-Snape. Shakil had already made history before by successfully completing Nepal’s 1,700-kilometre-long Great Himalaya Trail. To date, only 33 people in the world have completed this trail, and Shakil is the only Bangladeshi among them. In a conversation with Dhaka Tribune’s Shamima Rita, Shakil speaks about his Everest conquest and the daring journey from a farmer’s family in Bagchala village of Fulbaria union, Kaliakoir upazila, Gazipur
When did the idea of going to Everest first come to you?
The dream of summiting Everest began in 2012. Since childhood, I had always wanted to do something different from everyone else. But coming from a farming family, pursuing education was never easy. To support my studies, I worked in a fish market in Dhaka’s Abdullahpur, in super shops, and even pasted posters on walls.
Although I was a bright student, I was forced to work due to financial hardships. Because of work, I often missed classes. One day, during an exam, a teacher at a private university threw me out of the room for low attendance. I walked out, sold all my books, and never studied again.
I had a stubborn belief: even if I couldn't finish my education, someday people would read about me. My name would be at the top of the world’s history. That’s when I came across a report about someone from Bangladesh climbing Everest. And I decided—that’s it. I’ll be a mountaineer.
Why did you plan to summit Everest by walking from sea level (Sea to Summit)?
Since childhood, I’ve always looked for different paths—ways to stand out. When the idea of climbing Everest came to me, I wanted to do something no one had ever done before. But so many records had already been set: youngest climber, longest stay at the summit, and more. So I started researching.
That’s when I found out that Australian mountaineer Tim Macartney-Snape, in 1990, began his second ascent of Everest by starting from India’s Gangasagar and walking 1,200km to the summit. That inspired me.
I decided to carry out my own “Sea to Summit” expedition, from sea level to the world’s highest peak, which would allow me to set multiple records at once.
How many world records did you set through the Sea to Summit expedition?
Through this expedition, I set three world records at once. First, I became the youngest person in history (at just 31 years old) to complete this challenge. Second, I completed the expedition in only 84 days, faster than the previous record-holder, who had taken 96 days. Third, I covered the longest Sea to Summit distance,1,372km in total.
To my knowledge, no one else has achieved so many records through a single expedition. There’s also an additional feat: I swam across a 3km river during the journey, which Macartney-Snape hadn’t done.
Tell us in detail about your journey to Everest.
Though I had planned to begin a Sea to Summit expedition, I didn’t know when or how I’d start. I didn’t even have an Indian visa, which I’d need to reach Nepal on foot. Everything was uncertain.
All I knew was, I’ll either die on this expedition or make history. Carrying the message of reducing single-use plastic and carbon emissions, I started walking from Inani Beach in Cox’s Bazar on February 25, with no money, just a bag, one bottle of water, and a few documents. A few trusted friends supported me.
After passing through Chittagong, Feni, Comilla, and Munshiganj, I reached Dhaka after 12 days. On March 9, I held a press conference there, calling for sponsors. After a brief pause, I resumed walking through Gazipur, Tangail, Sirajganj, and reached Panchagarh on March 28.
After overcoming many visa complications, I entered India, then passed through Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling, reaching Nepal on March 31. I arrived at Everest Base Camp on April 29,
From then on, I remained there. On May 6, I went out for rotation climbs, reaching up to Camp 3, then returned to base camp on May 10. This was a critical part of the summit preparation.
The actual summit attempt began on May 16—Base Camp to Camp 2, then Camp 3 on May 17, Camp 4 on May 18. From there, the final push (summit climb) began. On May 19, at 6:30am Bangladesh time, I stood on the summit of Everest.
What kind of challenges did you face on this journey?
Many around me doubted whether I could finish the expedition. But I was determined. I had to complete this Sea to Summit expedition no matter what.
The first major hurdle came at the Jamuna Bridge—they wouldn’t let me walk across it. So, I swam across the 3-km-wide Jamuna River. Then came smaller issues. I was very anxious about the visa. The embassy wasn’t issuing tourist visas, and I feared my summit attempt might be cancelled. Although an adviser had approved, the Home Ministry was still refusing.
I eventually posted a status on Facebook. When the news spread through media outlets, they granted me the Indian visa.
Even in Nepal, I had only 6 days for training, which usually takes others over a month. With limited time, I began the summit attempt with my guide, Senzin. But the weather turned against us. The higher we climbed, the worse it got. A snowstorm raged. My oxygen pipe froze. I had to repeatedly remove the mask to breathe.
People behind me were turning back. Even my guide asked if we should, too. We decided to push forward.
At the Hillary Step, I was shaken—I saw a dead body. I had to pass right by it, clinging to the edge. I nearly lost all willpower. I thought, “Even if I reach the summit, I won’t survive the descent.”
Then I reminded myself: I must survive to share this journey. I passed the Hillary Step and pushed toward the summit. Along the way, I saw five corpses—one of them a man I had chatted with and eaten with just hours earlier. These memories will never leave me.
Why did you include a message about creating a plastic-free environment in the Sea to Summit expedition?
When I planned to start from Inani Beach, I saw plastic and polythene all over the shore and in the water. It was heartbreaking. I wanted to raise awareness about how harmful single-use plastic is and spread the message to make the environment plastic-free.
If I can walk such a long path and swim across rivers to summit Everest, surely ordinary people can become aware and help rid the environment of plastic.
What helped boost your confidence the most?
When I crossed the Hillary Step, everyone else had said I wouldn’t make it in such weather. But I had one thing in mind—I’ll raise my country’s flag at the top of the world. That flag gave me strength beyond anything else at that moment.
I quickly took a few photos with the flag. I only stayed on the summit for about 16 to 17 minutes before descending.
What did it feel like to stand on top of Everest?
It’s not a feeling I can put into words. So many thoughts rushed through my head—I couldn’t tell if I was happy or terrified. One thing was clear: I had to survive and share this story with the world.
When I returned to Base Camp, safe and alive, I hugged my guide and broke down in tears. That’s when I truly felt victorious.
Do you have any regrets about the Sea to Summit expedition?
I do have regrets. My biggest one is that even after reaching the highest point on Earth, I couldn’t see the beauty of the world from there. The weather was terrible—everything was dark. I didn’t want to linger long, so I didn’t get to enjoy the view.
How much support did you receive from your family?
When I planned the Sea to Summit expedition, the first people I told were from the Bangladesh Mountaineering and Trekking Club (BMTC). Then I told my mother.
She’s always supported me. I was a quirky kid—I once wanted to be a snake charmer, then a cricketer, then a footballer, and finally a poet when I was in Class 9. I’d sit alone in every bush in Bagchala village, and people thought I’d gone mad.
In Class 10, my father gave me Tk3,000 to see a psychiatrist. I used that money to travel to Bandarban. My parents always worried about my impulsive decisions.
But they still supported me in becoming a mountaineer. When I went for the Great Himalaya Trail, my mother sold land and gave me Tk3.5 lakh. For the Sea to Summit, she had nothing left to give, but she always kept in touch.
My father didn’t live to see my Everest summit—but my mother is still by my side.
How long did it take to summit Everest, and how did you fund such an expensive journey?
I completed the Sea to Summit expedition in just 84 days. Since I started without any formal announcement, I didn’t get much sponsorship initially. My club members played a huge role, running around to raise funds for me.
Even when I reached Nepal, just getting permission to climb Everest cost $15,000 (around Tk18 lakh). I didn’t even have that money yet. Somehow, the money was submitted, but I was still short by $3,000–$4,000. My guide personally promised that if anything happened to me, he would pay the rest.
Only then did I receive permission to summit. Now I am in serious debt—and I don’t even know how I’ll repay it.
What are your future plans?
My future plan is to have my name among the world’s most renowned mountaineers. I want to set more new records—I’m already preparing. But I won’t reveal the type of record yet. Let it be a secret for now.
What advice would you give to future Everest climbers?
You must move forward with strong willpower and confidence, no matter the obstacles. If you have the hunger to achieve something, you can overcome all adversity.
Along with financial and physical preparation, one must first prepare mentally. To be a mountaineer, you need to practice a lot of walking—and keep studying, too.