KOTA KINABALU: For Tham Yau Kong, Mount Kinabalu is more than just a mountain; it represents a lifetime of adventure, resilience, and passion.
Tham's mountaineering story began right after completing his Malaysian Certificate of Education (MCE) examination.
His first ascent was a secretive endeavor undertaken without his parents' knowledge due to their fears after a student went missing on the mountain in 1975.
"It was a daring trip. We carried heavy canned foods, kerosene, and rice, preparing our own meals and staying in the modest Panar Laban hut with minimal facilities," Tham reminisces.
This initial climb, characterised by freezing conditions and a challenging summit experience, left Tham swearing never to climb again.
Yet, just a month later, he returned with friends, drawn by the mountain's allure.
To date, he has conquered the mountain more than 500 times.
Comparing his early experiences to today's climbs, Tham said climbers now enjoy what's called 'the easiest mountain to climb in Malaysia' as they do not carry anything, sleep in heated rooms, and dine in the Laban Rata restaurant.
In 1987, the first Climbathon was initially held as a race for park rangers and mountain guides to test their fastest time in case of an emergency to carry sick or injured climbers.
In 1988, Tham participated in the race, encouraged by his friend Eric Wong, a park warden. He finished 50th out of over 200 participants, a testament to his climbing prowess.
The following year, he was appointed the official photographer for the Climbathon, a role he has held for a decade.
Despite the burden of carrying heavy camera equipment, Tham captured iconic images that promoted the event and Mt. Kinabalu.
His photographs were pivotal in promoting Mt. Kinabalu, used extensively by the then Sabah Tourism Promotion Corporation (STPC), now known as the Sabah Tourism Board.
Tham's work helped attract international participants to the Climbathon, boosting the mountain's global profile.
"Since then, more international participants, especially from the Skyrunner Association, have joined the Climbathon, increasing its prestige," said Tham, who became a licensed tour guide in the 1990s and was featured in international news for guiding foreign journalists and filming crews.
Recently, the Sabah government announced that the 31st International Climbathon would be revived on Oct 6 after a seven-year hiatus.
Despite the hiatus, Tham believes that with the mountain's status as part of the Unesco World Heritage site and Global Geopark will continue to draw tourists.
He said while the Sabah government's initiative to revive the race is commendable, it will require significant funding.
"Alternatively, incorporating the Climbathon into the international mountain running circuit could attract more overseas participants and generate income for the state, rather than spending money on promoting an already well-known race.
"Perhaps it would be more beneficial to allocate these funds towards inviting international naturalists or botanical societies to conduct research, studies, and expeditions.
"Mt. Kinabalu is a paradise of largely unidentified plant species, and such efforts could be more fruitful. It is crucial to remember that a World Heritage Site should be preserved and protected from unnecessary impact.
Tham, now 61, received his Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) award last year.
It is the third-highest ranking order in Britain, awarded for his contribution to researching and retracing the World War 2 Sandakan-Ranau Death March route.
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From: Olivia