For mountain guides, getting everyone home safely comes first

Mountain guides ensuring the trek is safe. — The Star

FOR mountain and jungle trekking guides, a successful hike is not measured by how many people reach the summit, but by whether everyone returns safely. But overconfidence, social media pressure, and disregard for safety instructions by some hikers can turn an ordinary trek dangerous.

Sufian: The reality is that conditions in forests and on mountains can change rapidly, and even a minor mistake can carry significant risks.

Sufian Ahmad, a mountain guide based in Selangor, believes hikers who deliberately violate safety regulations and endanger others should face penalties, provided enforcement is fair, proportionate to the offence, and supported by evidence.