ID :
289627
Mon, 06/17/2013 - 08:21
Auther :

Patriotism Brings Novice Climbers to Kinbalu's Peak

KOTA KINABALU (Sabah, Malaysia) June 17 (Bernama) -- A team of seven first-time climbers led by a woman reached St John’s peak in Mount Kinabalu at 12 noon on last Thursday in a show of patriotism for the country. The climbers from Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur, all in their 20s and 30s, recorded an impressive feat as they made their attempt with less than two months of training for the two-day climb to the 4090.9 metre peak. Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in South East Asia. These climbers dedicated their feat in honour of the Malaysian security forces’ sacrifices in successfully ending the recent Sulu militant's intrusion in Lahad Datu town in eastern state of Sabah. "This is our own initiative, it is a spontaneous decision, and not a sponsored one. This expedition provided a chance to make a unique contribution for the country that has just recovered from an intrusion episode,” said the expedition leader Siti Haryati Mohd Khalid to Bernama. A BAPTISM OF FIRE "Though, we were not able to reach the summit (Low's Peak at 4095.2m), regardless we consider the expedition a success,” she said adding that they were not allowed to continue the journey to the summit due to heavy rain. They started scaling at 8.30am Wednesday through the Timpohon Gate to Laban Rata. The first to reach Laban Rata (3,272 metres), at about 2.40pm, were Haryati and her husband Jauhari Tahir Khairuddin, and team members Muhammad Faisal Mohd Khalid, Zulkarnain Hasni and Mohd Shukri Haron. While another two members Muhammad Arif Mohd Khalid and Imran Syafik Ahmad reached the same point at 5.05pm. The eighth team member, Mohd Al Amin Mohd Hatta, failed to make it to Laban Rata after he suffered a leg cramp and was rested at the Layang-Layang hut. They were supposed to continue to the Low’s Peak at about 2am, however due to bad weather condition it was rescheduled to 9am. Nonetheless, they had to abort the attempt as there was no improvement in the weather. A TEST OF FAITH The climb was not only a test of physical endurance for the novices but also a real test of their determination and perseverance. The team members on many occasions were on the verge of giving up, but with the encouragement of Sabah Parks’ mountain guides and other climbers that they met along the way, and also with the encouragement of their loved ones, they persevered through their undertaking. Siti Haryati noted that the weather condition, slippery trails, tough hiking routes and steep terrains were the stumbling blocks but there was no turning back. "Of course, there was always the thought of turning back but after reflecting on the long journey that we have come, coupled with high hopes from parents, family members and close friends, there is no turning back,” she said. The challenges were even greater for Siti Haryati as she is still recovering after delivering a baby five months ago. As for Shukri, there were times when he wanted to give up, there were times when his body could no longer take it, there were times when his mind wandered. This is when my team spirit came into play. Thinking of them would get me back into the race. REFLECTION "One of the things I would never ever forget is that it took me almost sixty days to get ready for the two-day climb. I spent hours on the treadmill, hours in the gymnasium, hours stretching my body and hiking kilometres all because I wanted to get my body mountain-ready,” she said. Haryati's brother, Arif, believed that fitness and the willpower were the deciding factor of their success. “We were by far the least experienced. I managed to reduce my weight to 75 kgs from 87 kgs after undergoing training, but it was not good enough and that is why I trailed behind the others who reached Laban Rata earlier,” he said. Being a novice in this undertaking, there was always this thought of giving up. "The higher we went, the greater were the challenges especially with the oxygen getting thinner and the temperature dropped to 5 degrees Celsius when were supposed to continue the journey to the summit at 2am,” Arif said. Muhammad Faisal said: "We feel this is a patriotic way to contribute to the country and it is the same patriotism that pushed me to conquer Mount Kinabalu, Southeast Asia's tallest mountain.” Jauhari hoped that their other youths would emulate them to draw positive attention to the nation. "But what inspired me to continue the journey, it is the patriotism spirit, apart from thinking of my family members and friends who were waiting for news of our ascent, and they were with me every step of the way up to the summit. It was a life-changing experience,” he said. -- BERNAMA

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