Sabah's High Altitude Training Centre, the first iconic product in Malaysia

 

RANAU: The Mount Kinabalu High Altitude Training (HAT) Centre here is the first iconic product in Malaysia, said Sabah's Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew. 

"The establishment of the High Altitude Training Centre is one of the goals under the Sabah Maju Jaya initiative. 

"As people of Sabah, we are fortunate to have Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Malaysia and Southeast Asia (4,095m), making it a place for acclimatisation and training for climbers before they ascend Mount Everest. 

"I believe and am confident that the phased opening of the High Altitude Training Centre in Mount Kinabalu will be well received and provide an alternative and satisfying experience for mountain climbers worldwide," she said at the launch of the Mount Kinabalu Search-and-Rescue High Altitude Team (SAR-HAT) at Kinabalu Hall here. 

Liew congratulated the management of Sabah Parks, the custodian of Mount Kinabalu, for taking proactive steps in establishing the SAR-HAT. 

The team consists of 20 members from the Sabah Parks Rescue Team, six members from the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department and four mountain guides. 

"These three teams serve as the first responders in the event of accidents on the mountain, supported by the police, the Air Operations Force, and the Health Ministry. 

"The establishment of this team is not only aimed at strengthening mountain rescue operations but also serves as a preparatory measure for the opening of high-altitude climbing on Mount Kinabalu, including the High Altitude Rescue Simulation Training held today." 

Present were the ministry's permanent secretary Datuk Mohd Yusrie Abdullah, Sabah Parks Board of Trustees chairman Datuk Askalani Abdul Rahim and its director Dr Maklarin Lakim. 

Maklarin said although HAT was open to the public, Sabah Parks would allow only experienced climbers who wished to climb mountains taller than Mount Kinabalu. 

"Usually, based on our experience, the applicants are expedition climbers and not beginners. 

"As for the climbers' quota, it is based on the availability of facilities to accommodate them. The centre is operational, but is still in the process of improving facilities such as accommodation and water supply." 

Unlike the usual climb that ascends to Low's Peak, the high-altitude training would cover several peaks and trails, including Alexandra, Victoria, Oyayubi Iwu and Gurkha Hut. 

However, for now, the HAT only covers the Gurkha Hut. Bookings for high-altitude training can be made at the Sabah Parks headquarters in Kota Kinabalu. 

From January to April this year, Sabah Parks recorded 15,987 climbers compared with 14,822 last year and 4,841 climbers in 2021 in the same period.

-nst online.