For Kicok, Everest was never a solo journey

In the documentary "Tekad: Ekspedisi Guthrie Everest 2026," the journey of Mohd Khafiz Bachok, commonly known as Kicok, to become the 27th Malaysian to reach the summit of Mount Everest on May 18 is portrayed. The film emphasizes the crucial role played by Sherpa Saila Mingma, who assisted Kicok throughout the expedition. At Camp Four, located near the death zone at 8,000m altitude, Kicok found himself more concerned about Saila's well-being than his own.

Saila had to remind Kicok to put his oxygen mask back on as his body had gone numb. This moment in the documentary highlights the essential interdependence of the climbers during their ascent. The filmmakers, Ahmad Yazid and Marwan Murshid, aimed to capture not just the summit achievement, but also the relationship between Kicok and Saila.

By focusing on the moments of shared joy, laughter, and shared struggles, the documentary showcases how trust and teamwork were the key factors in their success. The 50-minute film also features the story of Chew Wei Ngor, known as Margaret, a 56-year-old climber who attempted but had to abandon her summit attempt due to congestion along the route.