Headline Wild benefits MediaTitle Date 26 Mar 2016 Color Full Color Section StarTwo Circulation 338,368 Page No 4 Readership 1,032,000 Language English ArticleSize 862 cm² Journalist V.VIJAY AdValue RM 28,752 Frequency Daily PR Value RM 86,257

By V.VIJAY famous for leeches and we have [email protected] also seen snakes. But bear in mind that if we take some basic precau­ THE year was 2012. At a ripe age of Wild benefits tions, we should be fine. As for 50,1 ventured into hiking to ward wild animals, they are residents of off the ills of aging: blood pressure, the jungle ­ as long as we are not a cholesterol and diabetes. threat to them, they will not harm My BP and cholesterol were on Thanks to hiking, the writer has better health, tasted us too. the border line (of being unhealthy) This is to assure doubters that and there was pressure from doc­ adventure and savoured nature. And, unlike shopping the jungles are often much safer tors to start on medications. They than city streets. After all, when classified me as being in the high malls, people greet each other on the trail. we're deep in the jungle, there are risk group since my dad went no cases of snatch thefts. The gold­ through a heart bypass operation. in 2008 when I was on a three­ and this thought always ran in my When one hikes in the jungle in en rule is to follow the trail, never I was adamant about not want­ month assignment in Kuching, fol­ head: "What am I doing here?". , the condition of the trail stray from it. ing to take drugs to control these lowing the Sai Baba Center there Over time, as my fitness improved, can differ with the weather. There Also, do carry basic safety items, lifestyle diseases. My journey for service activities in the interior I could keep pace with the moder­ may also be fallen . Trails can such as a whistle, headlamp, light­ began by searching for a group of Sarawak. I got close to the Ibans ate hikers. Thafs when I started have river crossings, portions of er (for campfires), penknife and which could accommodate me as and Bidayuhs when we stayed venturing into more challenging rock climbing, muddy stretches compass. my fitness level was suspect. It did overnight with them in the tradi­ mountains such as Gunung Irau and steep climbs. At some hikes, all Another great plus of hiking is not take me long to find "KL tional longhouses. (), Gunung of these will come in a package, as that most of the people you meet, Hiking" (http://www.meetup.com/ I also ventured out with the Bunga Buah (), in Gunung Nuang. no matter what their age, race or KLhiking). They have the fastest Kuching chapter of the Malaysian Pine Hill (Fraser's Hill), One downside is that some peo­ status, will greet and motivate each trail runners in the country yet Nature Society, another group of Gunung Rajah (Bentong, Pahang) ple leave garbage, especially at other. This can hardly ever be they could also accommodate slow cheerful and exciting people. I got and Gunung Nuang (Hulu Langat, waterfalls and camping sites. This experienced when we walk coaches like me.. personal with nature. ). leaves a foul smell and attracts through our city shopping malls. Alex Laevaert (who is better And I learned how important it Every trail, every mountain has rodents. Ifs important to remem­ Both my sons have started join­ known as "Alex KL Hiking") was was to keep the jungle in its pris­ its own challenges, but I am always ber that rat urine can lead to the ing me and we hike either Bukit the leader of the group, and those tine state. willing to face it since I enjoy the dangerous disease of leptospirosis. Gasing or Bukit (Selangor) who know him will vouch how time in the wild. on Saturdays. I believe that hiking accommodating he is with people One hike which was unforgetta­ Safe trekking will make them more hardy and from all walks of life. Baby steps ble was the hike towards Gunung alert to face the challenges of life. The group was also great. I Fast forward to 2012, aind I was Rajah. It was raining heavily and Never leave anything in the jun­ Other than the enjoyment of began this new adventure under again taking baby steps into hiking, the rivers were all flooded so I did gle other than your footprints and nature, hiking has given me good their tutelage ­ many freely shared tackling small "bukits" (hills) not manage to get up to the peak. never take anything from the jun­ health. I am much fitter than their knowledge of the do's and around the Valley, such as But I learnt a hiking lesson: wher­ gle other than pictures. Thankfully, before and, for the last three years, don'ts in the jungle. These included Bukit Gasing (), Bukit ever there is deeper river crossing more and more people are aware I have not fallen sick. My health basics like what type of shoes to FRIM (, KL) and Bukit Kutu (above knee level), due care has to of the need to take care of our nat­ has never been better, no more use. (Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor). be taken, and it's important to have ural heritage. high blood pressure, no more high My interest in hiking developed It was a real torture to my body a rope to hang on to. Some Malaysian trails are also cholesterol. Headline Wild benefits MediaTitle The Star Date 26 Mar 2016 Color Full Color Section StarTwo Circulation 338,368 Page No 4 Readership 1,032,000 Language English ArticleSize 862 cm² Journalist V.VIJAY AdValue RM 28,752 Frequency Daily PR Value RM 86,257

1 The writer (centre) with his trekking buddies at the peak of Gunung Irau, Cameron Highlands. — V. VIIAY

2 The writer on the trail when hiking in the mossy forests of Cameron Highlands. — V. VIJAY

3 Bukit Gasing in Petalingjayaisa good place for beginners to take up hiking. Even children can tackle the trails. — Filepic

4 The trek up to Bukit Kutu begins with this river crossing over a suspension bridge. — Filepic

5 A rope helps trekkers with water crossings, especially if ifs s more than knee­ deep. — Filepic