57 made the climb up Mount Kinabalu from Laban Rata to its summit. 57 people made it to the top. This is a track record that should stand the test of time
AN INITIATIVE OF THE ROTARY DISTRICT GOVERNOR
It was not so long ago that the District Governor of Rotary District 3300, DG Lim Kok Beng included a climb up Mt Kinabalu to raise money for the Rotary Polio plus program as part of his year-long program as District Governor. Altogether 59 people would make the climb up the highest mountain in South-East Asia scheduled for 13-17 January 2011. Training began in earnest in August 2010 and the climbers who signed up were asked to follow the Training program prepared by Rotarian Ong Hock Siew. Of course training is easier said than done. So some started training in earnest whilst others took their time to follow the programS.
TIME FLIES BY IN A BLUR
Time flew by in a blur and before we knew it, it was time to board the planes for Kota Kinabalu. 13 January started as a sunny day in Kota Kinabalu and the Terminal 2 airport in Kota Kinabalu soon became a loud cacophony of noises as the climbers came out to the terminal hall. The excitement was all too visible and although there was a surface of exuded confidence, there were many who were nervous as they contemplated this one serious adventure in their lives. Many could not even have imagined what they would face in the 3 days that would come. This is a short excerpt of the three days and it is meant to encourage the weak, the uncertain, the defeated and the challenged.
ORDINARY INDIVIDUALS ATTEMPTING THE EXTRAORDINARY
This is a story of courage and commitment – of a band of ordinary people who came together for a few days to attempt the improbable and in those few days found instead an identity of ability and fellowship with strangers who brought out the good in them. This story is told in the words of the Leader of the Expedition – Ong Hock Siew.
WHEN I FIRST SAW THE MOTLEY BUNCH OF ROTARIAN AND FRIENDS…..
I was lost for words when I first saw this bunch of Rotarians who looked out of shape and out of sorts at the first official training session at Kiara Hills in Kuala Lumpur. Then when I looked again and saw the Rotarians who were coming from my own club, the Rotary Club of Bandar Utama (RCBU) and I knew I was in for the long grind. All I could think of was to believe in the positive when I saw them. They were loud (with Pauline and Janice taking the lead) and they were slow – small hills appeared like mountains for them. I just had to bear and grin it out as I saw their commitment slowly increasing.
THEN THEY GOT SERIOUS ABOUT TRAINING AND IT SHOWED
Sometime in October, the training serious and even though I could not be with the groups, I could see great commitment in some of the Rotarians and I was greatly encouraged by their resolve and their purpose. When Past President Dato Jimmy Lim came and asked me a whole series of questions about the climb and if he could make it, I knew then that there were serious climbers who would help us foster a culture of excellence and achievement in the group. My quick visit to Ipoh also indicated to me that it may not be so tough after all because the Ipoh contingent of mainly ladies gave me an impression of steely determination. President Fee Chin was one of those who convinced me that I could push them to success on the climb.
THE CHARACTER AND THE CAST – THE “DIRTY 5 DOZEN”
Instead of covering the interactive episodes that took place on the climb, it would be better if I gave my own perception of the characters who made up the ‘cast’ of climbers.
1. DG Lim Kok Beng – He is 65, thinks like 55, talks like 45, walks like 35 and has an eye for beauty like 25….. Initially I thought it would be no fun climbing with a serious uninitiated Leader. I was to be proven wrong on all counts…
2. PE Steven Oon or Rotary Club of Pudu, 47 – He came across as the DG’s henchman and bodyguard. Like a shadow, he tailed the DG and was gruff and direct but he had a heart of gold – always full of knowledge and fun
3. Tan Sri Abdul Kadir bin Sheikh Faisal, 72 – The former Minister of Tourism. I thought that he will probably have difficulty reaching Laban Rata but he showed us what he was made of – metal and steely determination. There is much we can learn from him.
4. President Kelly Lim of RCBU, 65 – the balding original version of the “fun’ guy with his ‘wife’ Cindy Pun. I was sure he would not make it. He drinks more than he walks and he is always on the prowl. But the man is ‘bull dog’ and that’s how he got to the top. He has mellowed somewhat and many suspect that it is not a case of lack of will-power. It is probably a case of Power-failure.
5. Cindy Pun, 47 – the silent observer, she has learnt the ropes of the trade and has to be that special kind of a woman who would conquer hills. What other choice does she have? She has literally a practical hands-on Trainer who train with hands-on!
6. Immediate Past President of RCBU, Janice Lim, 54 – there are no more words to describe her. She looks like she is very tired but she never tires; she talks like a machine gun and doesn’t know when to stop; she still walks fast when she is sick and with serious diarrhea, she is the first to reach the summit. She has been the driving force behind the climb and the club. Without her RCBU would have been RCBL (Rotary Club boh liau)(in Hokkien).
7. Rotarian eTeck Tan, 49 – A duck he is not!! If a nipple appears swirling round and round on the Internet, it would be his! Serious exercise was anathema to him. But when he found out that he had high cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar all rolled up into one “Hainan” package, he knew he had to do something – that something was to climb Mt Kinabalu so that it would be involuntary discipline. He has climbed three times since and still counting….. and amazingly, it is working. His health is getting better. Ever since I started calling him my Uncle, he is more beauty-conscious.
8. President Elect KG Tan – This man is an enigma. He came up to me and told me there is no way he can climb Mt Kinabalu. He said that he had some heart valves with holes and his Doctor had told him that he may die if he climbed. Actually I am of the opinion that he has holes in his head and in his armpit. He is blue (and that is not because he is not breathing) and most of the time and he has wind in his head. Look beyond his façade and you see a pussycat waiting to be stroked. Some people talk about it, some people do it, some people just keep quiet – put him in the first category.
9. Chong Mei Yin, 29 – Quietly efficient, Mei Yin is a girl who proves that achievement need not be proclaimed loudly like some hole-in-the-head Rotarians.
10. Lily Lee Hong Wah, 49 – Next to Janice, she is the other non-stop talker. She badly injured her butt a few days before the climb and consulted all the experts on whether she should still go ahead with the climb and their answer was “No1”. Finally in desperation, she came to me and asked me for my opinion. Of course my answer was “No problem”. After all, she was still walking and she was still shaking her butt when she walked in. (No, I did not examine her butt just in case that DOM KG thinks so). Her son Jeremy was there with her.
11. Vincent Chee Weng Shen , 14 – This little guy gave us all a fright when he had pain all over his body and he refused to walk any more. With Uncle Nigel’s help, he converted from a ‘give-up’ loser to a ‘can-do’ winner. He will be an Achiever in life if he remembers the things he went through
12. Raymond Chee, 46 – Rough, tough, strong and straight-talking, he will look you straight in the eye and challenge your views. Trained by his rapid-fire wife, Raymond knows his directions – climb even when he doesn’t feel like it. He made it because he knew he had to make it. This is often called “pride power”.
13. Jeremy Chee Weng Hong, 16 – Like father like son, Jeremy grew up over the 3 days on the mountain. Where he will complain and whine and consider giving up, he is now taking on the Lion’s mantle. That is what attitudes should be for every young person.
14. Richard Tan Teck Chye, 62 – Singaporean armed with a straight look, his Beatle hair-style under-pines his Kiasu and Kiasee outlook. His mixing with Malaysians has made him more gung-ho and his success on Mt Kinabalu has made him think. He is sure that if we worked together, we can do almost anything well!!!
15. Ong Choong Poh 34 – a quiet bundle of energy, her steady thinking demeanor is a welcome boost to any team. She made it and showed that yo9u don’t need to talk a lot to make it.
16. Ho Chi Tat, 33 – Janice’s ‘Butler’, he is faithful and sure. On the first day, he sacrificed so that he could help Janice reach Laban Rata. He is sure-footed and quietly strong. Dependable, he was one of the silent pillars of the team
17. Patrick Lee Thiam Huat, 55 – Patiently dependable and no-fuss man, he makes the team cohesive and uncluttered
18. Tee Seng Chun, 47 – Tee came across when it mattered and he continued when it was required.
19. Immediate Past President of Titiwangsa, Tiffany Tan, 31 – Unassumed but efficient, she is determined and strong. When she makes up her mind to succeed, she will do it. She shows why talking too much is not a necessary strength.
20. Rotarian Patrick And Eng Seng, 45 – Patrick was a reluctant climber at the start. However it is now clear that mind-sets can change and husbands can be different. He is on his way to be better in life…..
21. Gan Siew Lee, 27 – The epitomy of calm and application. She had set her mind on the climb and she knew there can be only one conclusion and that is “to win!”
22. Pauline Tsai Poh Leng, 44 – She is loud and strong and desirous of goals that are big enough to matter. She showed that giving up should never be an option. She trained and trained and strained and strained and showed what commitment can become.
23. Wan Keng Wai, 43 – he was one of those who showed in his eyes that confidence and progress is a powerful combination. He continued where it matter and rested where it mattered less.
24. Tong Lay Khoon – Ever the decent and totally faithful spouse, she can light a thousand ships with her fire. She was bent on success and was willing to pay the price for other things that happened on the climb
25. Rotarian John Low Peng Song of Port Klang, 55 – Almost gave up but because he needed to set an example for his son, he continued. Pays to have a right reason to go on
26. Owen Low, 16 – Nice as nice can be but Owen knows that nice cannot bring about results. Looking around, he saw that encouragement was everywhere around. It made him realize that there was a reason to go on….
27. Rotaractor Velary Thrisha Velayathan of Melawati, 30 – Going slow is not necessarily bad – it can also be not necessarily good. There is a lesson here, the right applications must be made in the right context.
28. President Shanmugam Ramasamy of Melawati, 41 – Through the pain, he walked and when the pain came again and again, he continued to walk with some help from friends. That epitomizes life – don’t stop – just go on……
29. Danny Chong Khoong Liang, 41 – It is what you bring to life that counts; it is not what life brings to you that should determine your directions. Rise above the circumstances and you will feel the wind in your face
30. Vivien Won Fui Koon, 40 – Life is about fulfilling your dreams and your secret wishes. Make that first step and the dream will become a reality
31. Julian Yap Yuen Hin, 41 – Make your life a rainbow after every shower and feel the freshness of a life well lived. After Kinabalu are dreams that are waiting for you….
32. PP Dato Jimmy Lim Lai Ho of USJ, 53 – Set your goals and be prepared to pay the price and nothing will stop you from making the mark. He chose to go on where there was no more reason to go on and each new step brought a new freshness.
33. Marcus Lim Min Shen, , 19 – There will be memories that will last a life-time – especially of the times of bonding with Dad. It has made him more cognizant of the sacrifices that a father would make for his child
34. PP Paul Nyu of USJ, 40 – Experience always helps us become better. On Mt Kinabalu, that experience was put to good use, encouraging others to go on when they had wanted to give up. It has been a lesson of selflessness and how it can bless others
35. Rotarian Lawrence Tan Hong Chun of Pantai Valley, 61 – Age is nothing more than a number and we must believe that we can make that number better if we will but try and not give up.
36. Rotarian Steven Ng Hong Tiong of Pantai Valley, 56 – Speed is nothing if the directions are not right. Endurance is nothing if the speed is not right. Patience is nothing if the relationship is not right.
37. President Amir Choo Cheng Siong of Pantai Valley, 44 – Leadership need not be loud, neither is relationship weak. It has been a fantastic three days of memories
38. Rotarian James Tan Kok Kiat of Pantai Valley – Size is an advantage and yet it can be a disadvantage in the wrong environment. The desire to excel is the mark of the chosen and he is destined for greatness if his strengths can be harnessed well
39. President Chong Meng of Metro KL, 55 – Dignity is the gel that holds success together. Past achievements count for nothing. When you walk Mt Kinabalu, you start again like someone new and yo9u pay the price anew.
40. Rotarian Ooi Chee Kun of Metro KL, 58 – Friendship is just having you walk by my side. It is a privilege that will direction that will determine my directions.
41. Rotarian Nigel Jones of Sunway – Quiet strength is never flaunted and it exudes its goodness whenever it is needed. The helping hand given out is testament to a giving heart reaching out.
42. PP Chin Mi Lai, Amy of Metro Ipoh, 44 – Love is a many-splendored thing….. It is love that makes the world go round and even when it fails, there are embers that can light it up again. Reach out for new goals and drive away the fears that keeps us from launching off from shore to new destinations
43. President Lee Fee Chin of Metro Ipoh, 46 – It is the warm smile that brings hope to the hurting ones and yet who knows what lies beneath our exterior. The journey has gone over arduous routes and now it must end in triumph.
44. Wong Hooi Choo, 41 – And when the dusk comes as it surely will, I will lie down and rest and wake up refreshed for the challenge of another day – no pain will slow me down, no hurt will hold me back…..
45. Rotarian Christopher Pressling of Kuala Kangsar – For love no price is too big to pay. It was love that brought them to the starting line and love remains as the turns are made
46. Ho Theng Chun, 25 – Who knows what hides behind that silent look or what goodness lies within unless it is shown and seen by those who love.
47. President Ho Yok Sim of Kuala Kangsar, 50 – There will be time for new victories – I may be beaten but not brought down and that is why I shall return to greater heights.
48. Rotarian Manimaran of Sitiawan, 40 – All the money in the world can’t buy fitness and all the pleasures in the world will end in ruins if we can’t filter good from bad. The beaten track of Kinabalu is our testing ground
49. Rotarian Sri Ganesh of KL West – He who runs last laughs best if the route is wrong but to he who has no commitment wrong routes matter little.
50. Rotarian Peter Toh of Pantai Valley, 32 – To win is to have lasting victories that brings a sweet taste long after the fragrance is gone
51. Candy Tan Mooi Keang, 24 – What the world needs now is love sweet love. That slight smile tells a story of a life of goodness and hope so long as the paths are not bent and the track is not tilted.
52. Paulus Michael, 36 – Great wisdom is not easily acquired and to the man who does not think, it may never come to him even though it is a corner away
53. Rotarian Ong Hock Siew of RCBU, 60 – There will always be new mountains to climb, new challenges to meet, new difficulties to traverse. It is only when the victories are won that renewal will come. The New year will be a great year.
AND THE CLIMB WAS MADE
On 14 January 2011, a Friday, the climb was made. 35 set out from the Mesilau trail and the rest on the Timpohon trail. Most struggled against themselves and there were many moments when some wanted to give up. But none did on the second day and the peak was reached by 57 climbers who came away exhausted, weary but extremely happy. They knew that they came for a cause and walked refreshed by the indomitable spirit of man.
