Mountaineer finishes 322km walk

TAIPING: A lower back injury didn’t deter Khairil Arslan Ab Rasid from completing his “Merdeka 322 Solo Expedition 2016” walk – the Batu Kurau native arrived at Dataran Warisan here on National Day eve.

The 41-year-old extreme sports enthusiast and mountaineer started his 322km expedition from his house in Bangi at 2.30am on Aug 25 and stopped in Kapar, Sabak Bernam, Sitiawan and Trong along the way.

As he walked, Khairil also pulled two 25kg tyres filled with water bottles and other essentials.

The heavy tyre took a toll on Khairil’s back by the time he arrived in Sitiawan.

Tough training: Mohd Khairil walking and pulling the two tyres during his walk.

Khairil thought he would not be able to continue but his thirst for endurance spurred him to continue.

“I was talking to my crew about the injury and they told me to rest for one day before continuing the expedition. I knew I could push myself,” said Khairil who climbed his first peak – Gunung Hijau – in his hometown at 14.

“Throughout my journey, people spurred me to continue.

“When I reached Taiping, a lady gave me a fresh lime drink, and when I passed a carwash on my journey the workers sprayed water on me,” he told reporters after taking a breather at the Maxwell Inn hotel here.

At times, he said the tyres hindered his movement and he had to slouch 45 degrees so he could move comfortably.

“Sometimes, I felt like I was pulling a buffalo,” he said, adding that the tyres were made to his specifications.

He decided to dedicate what was supposed to be strength training for an expedition to Nepal next month to Malaysia.