JERANTUT: The body of a 52-year-old female climber who died due to breathing difficulties on Gunung Reskit in Kuala Tahan near here on Feb 6 was retrieved today.
Zahalita Othman's remains was airlifted using the Fire and Rescue Department's helicopter about 8.30am before it was flown to Kuala Lipis.
Pahang Fire and Rescue Department deputy director (operations) Ismail Abdul Ghani said Zahalita's remains will be taken to the SMK Clifford school field in Lipis.
"The operation to retrieve the body began about 6.45am today. The remains was airlifted not far from the location of the incident and will be handed to the police at the school field.
"The helicopter dropped food supplies for the remaining climbers who will return on foot," he said in a statement today.
Yesterday, Jerantut district police chief, Superintendent Azman Mat Kamis was reported saying Zahalita, who had been participating in a mountain climbing programme to hike Gunung Tahan since Feb 1, died due to breathing problems.
However, efforts to bring down her remains were hampered by bad weather including thick fog and failure to locate the exact location.
Standing at 1,666m, Gunung Reskit located in Taman Negara Kuala Tahan, Jerantut is part of the trail for climbers to reach Gunung Tahan.