TAPAH: The female hiker reported missing on Gunung Batu Putih is believed to have strayed from the designated trail before losing contact with the group on Sunday (May 24).
Perak Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Sabarozi Nor Ahmad said Jaslinda Saludin, 49, is believed to have veered off course while descending Gunung Batu Putih, which stands 2,132 metres high, after climbing to the summit alone.
He said the victim’s last known position was at the mountain peak at about 9am on Sunday, after communicating with a mountain guide at 7.30am.
"The victim is believed to have left a mark at the peak before losing contact. Based on information received, she may have strayed from the original track.
"The exit for the descent route was at Kuala Woh, but we believe the victim may have strayed around Gunung Rayu or Pos Musoh,” he told a press conference after the suspension of the search and rescue (SAR) operation on Monday (May 25).
Sabarozi said the operation was suspended at 6pm and would resume at 8am on Tuesday (May 26), focusing on the Gunung Rayu area, with assistance from an Agusta 139 aircraft from the Bertam Air Base to transport an additional 12 to 16 rescue personnel to the search area.
He also said that the rescue team found footprints believed to belong to the female victim in an area off the main climbing route.
"It rained yesterday and it is hot today, so the footprints are still visible. The footprints are not on the main route, and we believe this route is not used by other hikers,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said that the search team faced several challenges, including communication problems, steep paths, rainy weather that made the trails slippery, thick cloud cover, and the challenging terrain of a high-altitude mountain throughout the SAR operation.
The operation also involved the Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (STORM), the police, the Forestry Department and Forestry Mountain Guides (MGP).
Jaslinda was reported to have begun the Trans Spencer Chapman climb with 13 other individuals and two MPGs at 2am on May 23 via the Pos Gedung-Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh route.
Another climber, Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, suffered health issues and was brought down from the mountain peak before being sent to Tapah Hospital.
Meanwhile, Jaslinda was reported to have continued to the summit of the mountain. – Bernama
