KUNDASANG: Scaling Mount Kinabalu on normal days would not be a problem for mountain guides but it is considered a more extreme challenge during the fasting month.
They not only require physical endurance but mental strength in battling hunger and thirst.
But Ramadan season has never been a barrier for these guides to continue their duties bringing tourists up the mountain.
Having to climb up to six kilometers from the foot of the mountain up to Laban Rata lodging when fasting, has been a yearly routine for Muslim mountain guides.
Mount Kinabalu Mountain Guides Association chairman Junaydie Sihan, 40, said a lot of tourists especially from overseas kept coming to climb the mountain even during the fasting month.
They had no choice but to continue their daily grind as it is the main income for guides and porters.
“Sometimes the tourists especially the westerners move fast and we have to keep up, so we are using a lot of energy.
“The difference is that during the fasting month, we need to bring and standby food and drinks for breaking of fast as on the other hand, there might be those who are moving slowly.
“There were occasions when tourists arrived at the lodging areas of Laban Rata around 7pm or 8 pm and we had to break our fast in the midst of climbing,” he said to NSTP when met recently.
For sahur (pre-dawn meal), they had to wake up as early as 2 am and eat before continuing the climb to the summit.
They will eat as much as they can to conserve energy at the high altitude.
Mountain guide Airil Zidan Robin, 36, said early preparation is vital during this month to ensure they have enough water and healthy food in order to avoid mineral loss which can cause muscle cramps.
“We consume a lot of nutritious food during sahur but during breaking of fast, we cannot overeat to avoid being full which can cause problems when climbing the next morning.
“We need to focus mentally during Ramadan or else cause ourselves and the group to get lost or even worse, cause accidents,” said Airil.