RANAU: Croatian climber Mauro Persic – who was rescued after being stranded for eight days in the rugged terrain of Mount Kinabalu – admits the ordeal may not have been worth it as about 40 people had to risk their lives just to save him.
“This is probably the closest I have ever been to death. Was it worth it? I don’t know. Probably not,” he said, after being brought down safely. He described his actions as being akin to “playing Russian Roulette” with the mountain.
Persic said his solo journey began along the Mesilau River before he moved into increasingly steep and difficult terrain towards the mountain’s East Ridge.
Over the following days, he encountered dense vegetation, cliffs, gullies, poor visibility and dehydration while attempting to find a way through the remote area.
His situation became critical on the fifth day when he slipped on a steep rock surface and fell about 10 metres (30 feet) into a gully.
The rugged and mist-covered terrain of Mount Kinabalu where the rescue operation was carried out.He suffered a badly swollen and bleeding right heel, a deep wound to his right calf, pain in his hip and ribs, shoulder injuries, a head wound and multiple cuts and bruises.
Persic said he, initially, hoped to continue without seeking assistance, but realised he could no longer move on his own.
After managing to obtain a weak phone signal, he contacted emergency services and provided his coordinates.
While awaiting rescuers, he remained stranded in the gully without food and survived on dripping water.
On the seventh day, heavy rain caused water to suddenly surge through the gully, sweeping away his sleeping bag.
Persic said he was forced to cling to a sling attached to a small rock protrusion for about two hours to avoid being swept away.
Persic said he experienced hallucinations that night after prolonged exposure, hunger and exhaustion.
A rescuer, Luis Jai Matuas, finally reached him the following morning and gave him a hot drink and biscuits.
Rescuers then used ropes and a stretcher to extract him from the difficult terrain before moving him towards the normal climbing route.
The operation continued into the following day before Persic was eventually brought down through Timpohon Gate and transferred for medical attention.
Persic praised the rescue personnel for their organisation and technical skills, describing those who saved him as his “brothers from different mothers”.
He also acknowledged the wider consequences of his actions. “Body wrecked. Forty people had to risk their lives to save one human being,” he said.
Despite the ordeal, Persic said the experience also allowed him to witness “the best side of humanity” through the generosity, kindness and care shown by those involved in his rescue.