The Pamir Highway is a remote, high-altitude road. The risks of falling prey to the freezing conditions are all too real. - Supplied
PHNOM PENH: Now at the halfway point of an epic bicycle journey from Cambodia to Europe, Tiv Dararith, an experienced long distance cycle-tourer, is encountering conditions unlike anything he has ever been through.
His gruelling passage across the Pamir Highway in Central Asia has seen him brave temperatures as low as -30°C.
The long-distance philanthropist is now into the sixth month of his ambitious year long ride, which he embarked on to raise funds for Cambodian children in need of medical care.
What began as a dream turned into a near-death experience for the Cambodian adventurer.
The Pamir Highway, officially known as the M41, is a remote, high-altitude road linking Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. It skirts the borders of China, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The journey is taking him through some of the most challenging conditions he has ever experienced. - Supplied
Known for its stunning scenery and extreme challenges, it is the second-highest highway in the world after the China-Pakistan Karakoram Highway.
“I knew riding through Central Asia would be one of the most incredible parts of my mission to support the children of the Kingdom,” Dararith told The Post from Tajikistan.
“I have always dreamed of travelling through here, even if it meant risking my life,” he added.
During his time on the highway, Dararith is facing some of the harshest conditions imaginable.
Cycling through mountainous terrain at altitudes as high as 4,600 meters, he is constantly reminded of the dangers of his environment.
“The temperatures here are the worst,” he explained.
“I have to avoid the highest points on my bike and descend quickly when I realise I’m at a high altitude,” he continued.
The unpredictable nature of the journey often leaves him stranded. One night, early on in his time in the mountains, Dararith found himself unable to reach the summit of a pass in time and was forced to camp on the roadside.
With temperatures plummeting to -25°C, he came perilously close to freezing to death.
“But luckily, I am very fit and resilient,” he recounted.
“I was able to hold out until dawn, by building a fire using dead trees I collected from the mountainside.”
Despite the hardships, Dararith remains in awe of the incredible landscapes he is travelling through. - Supplied
The lowest point of his journey came on a terrifying night when the mercury dropped to -30°C.
Alone in a desolate, snow-covered landscape, he sat by his tent, listening to wolves howling in the distance.
“One evening, I took a break, sat down, and watched the sun set over the mountains. Tears welled up in my eyes as I whispered to myself, ‘Maybe this is why I dared to risk my life to travel here’.”
“I felt like I was coming back to life when my hopes were at their lowest point,” he wrote on Facebook. “That night will stay with me forever.”
Dararith is always mindful that his ride is not just a personal adventure, but a quest to support Cambodian children who are unwell and in hospital, particularly those suffering from cancer.
“Do you know why I dare to risk all this?” he posed in a reflective moment.
“Because I always want to overcome my fears. To stop being afraid of something, you have to face it. May all these efforts bring benefits to the suffering children of the kingdom.”
Despite the physical and emotional toll, Dararith remains in awe of the natural beauty of the Central Asian region.
From sunsets over the mountains to encounters with Kyrgyz villagers who encouraged him, he found moments of inspiration amid the challenges.
Dararith’s journey took him from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital, through the city of Osh and onto the Pamir Highway, crossing into Tajikistan along the Afghan border.
As he continues his expedition, he remains undeterred by the hardships, driven by the hope that his efforts will make a difference in the lives of children.
“No matter what happens, I will continue to move forward,” he shared. “This work is for the future of Cambodian kids.” - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
