.png)
GERIK - Six hikers who were found safe after being reported missing while taking part in the Trans Gerah expedition at Gunung Gerah in the Lojing Permanent Forest Reserve in Gua Musang, Kelantan, only became aware of the search and rescue (SAR) operation when they heard the sound of a helicopter while at Kem Kulim.
Wan Ahmad Aslam Wan Zairudin, 39, said his wife and two children were in good condition throughout their time in the forest, but he felt any delay in their return would prompt family members to file a police report.
"Our suspicions were confirmed when we heard the sound of a helicopter while at Kem Kulim heading towards the jungle entrance, and we also encountered a guide from Kelantan. Throughout the journey after that, we kept looking for a phone signal to contact our family," he said when met at the Gerik district police headquarters (IPD) here today.
Previously, Wan Ahmad Aslam and his wife Siti Zulaiha Norizan, 39, along with their children Diya Raisha, 13, and Ahmad Raef, 9, as well as two mountain guides Shafiee Sidek, 49, and Hazman Mamat, 43, safely exited from Pos Kemar via the Trojan Jetty, Tasik Banding, after being found by the rescue team last night.
Wan Ahmad Aslam said that the challenging terrain and thick underbrush between Gunung Beratoh and Gunung Sepat had slowed the group's movement and forced them to exercise caution.
"Usually, if the trail conditions are good, we can cover a distance of eight to 10 kilometres a day. However, when the mountain guides have to clear bushes to open a trail, our movement is limited to only two to three kilometres a day, and this causes a delay," he said.
Commenting on his children's involvement in the hike, he said the long-distance hiking activity serves as the best platform to instil discipline and promote a healthy lifestyle for the whole family, while also reducing the children's addiction to gadget use.
"I intended to reduce the use of gadgets among children, and activities like hiking have proven to be very helpful in achieving that goal. This time, it was just beyond our expectations," he said.
Meanwhile, Shafiee said the decision to take a shortcut from Gunung Sepat to Kampung Orang Asli (KOA) Agek was made after considering the water source factor, following the longer travel time on the Gunung Bieh-Sepat route.
He said the group initially considered turning back, but the journey to Kem Perodua was estimated to take two nights and three days, and they faced water shortages.
"That's why I chose that route. Even though I have never been to that area myself, I have experience in taking shortcuts," he said while explaining that the route towards KOA Agek is estimated to be around one to two kilometres compared to a round trip that could reach five to six kilometres or more.
Shafiee also said that they had sufficient food supplies for all six hikers throughout the 11 days in the forest and did not resort to food rationing.
On Sept 6, six individuals, including a child, were reported missing while traversing the Gunung Trans Gerah route in Lojing, Gua Musang on Aug 29 after failing to exit the forest by the scheduled date, which was Sept 3. - BERNAMA