I pray

Right about now, an abnormally high number of the occupants of Vista Komanwel will be waking up to the sound of alarms, regardless of whether they are clock alarms, watch alarms or everyone’s personal favourite, mobile phone alarms. Most of those who wake up will then make their way to the toilet (hopefully) and proceed to take care of their hygiene. After that, they’ll be in the kitchen eating breakfast.

In ten minute’s time, they would have gathered at the Atrium of the IMU, with their bags packed, their legs ready and their sympathetic system racing (sorry, couldn’t resist) as they prepare to find out what lies ahead in the day ahead.

They’ll then board a bus, and make their way to Taman Melawati, Ampang, for Bukit Tabor (I think). Once there, they’ll begin a hike up to the summit before sunrise, that they may catch the sunrise, and then they’ll make their way back down.

At the other extreme of the spectrum, I’ll be getting some much needed rest when they get onto the bus. I’ll probably be back from comaland when they finish the run back down from the peak, and I’ll be lazing around while they struggle to cram in some study into what is left of their weekend.

So why the late night post, about a topic which I generally try not to touch on? Well, for one thing, there’s the fact that Bukit Tabor is not the safest of all hiking spots. Yes, it is very popular, it gets very heavy traffic on the weekends, and it is not that tall. However, it has pretty unforgiving terrain, so one misstep is all one needs for something bad to happen. Add to that the fact that Bukit Tabor is now notorious for accidents and injuries. A long while ago, two doctors, both experienced hikers, fell 200 metres to their deaths while hiking there. Another hiker fell 100 metres, but trees stopped her fall. Another hiker fell a reasonable distance as well, but survived due to the fall being broken.

Then there’s the fact that it is the rainy season. When it rains, people get messed up. For starters, people pull out their umbrellas and their raincoats or ponchos, all of which hinder movement. Wet weather also means high humidity, which also means more sweat, which drives most people crazy. Crazy people are the kind of people you don’t need when you are looking down a ravine 200 metres in depth. On top of that, a wet environment means damp soil and wet rock surfaces, which are not the kind of surfaces one would want when going on a hike – unless you want to take a roll down.

So if a group of (not-so-sane) batchmates of mine, along with a few of our seniors decide to go out for a hike, why should I worry? Why should I pray? Well, apart from the notorious features of Bukit Tabor and the rainy season, I know these people. My orientation group had about 12 active people, and to the best of my knowledge, 4 of us are going. That’s a full third. I want to see them back in one piece, even though they have chosen, for some absurd reason or other, to go and risk life and limb to go and climb Bukit Tabor during the rainy season.

Need another reason? Well, if you have survived thus far, I guess you deserve to know. She’s going. I’m not surprised. She can run, she is more fit than I am, and she is the type who would go for these kind of things. I prefer to swim in the water. Yeah, sure, I know there a lot of logs out there which move a lot faster than I do, but that’s besides the point; hiking isn’t really my thing, and I’m sure not going to do it at half past four in the morning for a girl (Not unless there are extenuating circumstances… I’ll come up with another excuse some other time)

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have got some important business to do…