KOTA KINABALU: The summit of Mount Kinabalu has seen many climbers donning various kinds of costumes and now it will see an "Iron Man" at the end of this month.
Cosplayer Yohan Charles Jayasuriya, 39, will be climbing all the way up to the peak of the highest mountain in Malaysia, from Timpohon gate on June 29 and 30.
"I have climbed the mountain more than 10 times, but it will be my first to scale with my 3-kilogramme suit, with hiking shoes.
"It might be hot from the starting point up to Panalaban (the resting point) but I am used to it as I have been in the cosplay industry for eight years," said Yohan, who also works as an emcee and deejay.
He realised that climbing mountain in an "Iron Man" suit would be tough, but said it has been his dream to do so.
"If porters are able to carry cylinder gas and other heavy stuff up the mountain, I can definitely do the same with my suit.
"The aim is to do it slow and steady." he said, adding that the quest stems from Dr Randolf Paza's idea to raise funds for 30 mountain guides affected by Covid-19 and the Movement Control Order (MCO).
Randolph, a veterinarian, initiated the fund-raising campaign for the second time to ease the burden of mountain guides and porters.
The first was when the mountain was forced to close after a 6.0 magnitude earthquake killed 18 climbers.
This time, the 4,095m tall mountain was closed for two months starting March 19 following the implementation of the MCO.
"Apart from raising funds, our group also hopes to promote the mountain as one of Sabah's top destinations which is safe to visit.
"It is a shame that such a destination is being 'abandoned' as people are still afraid of going out," he said adding there are few of them climbing the mountain together.
For more information about the fund-raising campaign, contact Randolf at 012-2668164.