Alikut Dilxat, a 15-year-old teenager from Xinjiang, has accomplished a remarkable feat by ascending Mount Everest, fulfilling both his own and his father’s dreams. His successful climb also marks him as the youngest Chinese to conquer the world’s highest peak.
On a Sunday morning, Alikut Dilxat embarked on the ascent of the southern slope of Mount Everest, capturing widespread attention across China.
“My son has made my dream come true,” expressed Dilxat Abdurexit, whose lifelong aspiration had been to climb Mount Everest. Now, his son has achieved this milestone ahead of him.
Hailing from Urumqi, a city in northwestern China, Alikut grew up under the influence of his father, who serves as the captain of the Xinjiang Mountaineering Sports Service Center’s outdoor rescue team. Exposed to outdoor activities from a young age, Alikut developed a passion for mountaineering, commencing his journey at the age of 10.
“Even at home, he would adorn himself in my mountaineering gear, finding every aspect of it fascinating,” shared Dilxat.
Driven by an adventurous spirit, Alikut was deeply drawn to the challenges of mountaineering, despite his mother’s initial reservations. With unwavering determination, he sought his mother’s approval, promising to pursue his passion only with her consent.
“An exploratory spirit is essential,” remarked Alikut. “Without hesitation, one cannot excel.”
In August of the previous year, father and son triumphed over the 7,546-meter-high Muztagh Ata together, igniting Alikut’s enthusiasm further.
“I was overwhelmed, almost unaware of reaching the summit,” reminisced Alikut. “Despite the hardships and fears, each summit fuels my desire to conquer more.”
The aspiration to climb Mount Everest took root in Alikut’s mind last October. Following a successful climb of another peak in the Tianshan Mountains with his father, he felt emboldened to push his limits.
“At the peak, I expressed to my father my desire to test my boundaries,” he revealed.
Unlike his previous climbs accompanied by his father, this time Alikut embarked on the journey solo. Enduring a rigorous 28-day adaptation training in Nepal, he encountered intense hypoxic reactions, leading to moments of doubt. Despite his father’s remote support due to work commitments, Alikut persisted through the challenges.
“To be honest, even I harbored doubts, but he persevered,” acknowledged Dilxat.
With the summit of Mount Everest conquered, Alikut now sets his sights on future endeavors. Returning to Urumqi to undertake the high school entrance examination in June, he aspires to secure admission to his desired institution.
“I aim to pursue mountaineering and related disciplines in university to continue chasing my dreams,” expressed Alikut, his determination unwavering.