GERIK: The family of the four climbers who were reported missing while participating in the Trans Gerah Expedition breathed a sigh of relief after they were all found safe, ending an 11-day ordeal.
Ahmad Ridhuan Abdullah, 44, brother-in-law of Wan Ahmad Aslam Wan Zairudin, 39, said not hearing from the group for several days had caused the family much anxiety
"Our family was indeed very, very relieved. When we first found out they were safe and could be contacted, we felt very relieved, even though they had not been found at that time.
"Otherwise, we had not slept well for three days and three nights and sometimes had erratic food. So we are very, very grateful," he said when met at the Gerik district police headquarters here on Tuesday (Sept 8).
Ahmad Ridhuan said the expedition was originally scheduled to last five days and four nights, but there was a delay after the group entered the route later than originally planned.
He said the family initially expected a delay of about a day, but began to worry when all six of them did not come out by Saturday and Sunday.
"They were supposed to exit after five days, but when Saturday and Sunday came, they still hadn't come out. The guide who was waiting for them at Pos Kemar began advising the family to file a police report," he said.
He added that they were also informed that the group would run out of food if they continued to stay in the forest.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Ridhuan Abdullah said his nephew Ahmad Raef Wan Ahmad Aslam, 9, is not new to hiking as he has been involved in climbing activities since young, but the family was still worried when the expedition to Mount Trans Gerah lasted for 11 days.
He said his nephew had climbed several mountains, including Mount Tahan and Mount Ledang, in addition to participating in the G7 climb.
He also expressed his appreciation to all agencies and parties involved in the search and rescue (SAR) operation, including the police, the Fire and Rescue Department, the Civil Defence Force, the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), the Forestry Department, as well as mountain guides from Perak, Kelantan and the Orang Asli community.
Ahmad Ridhuan said the six climbers were expected to be brought back to Shah Alam after all matters related to the police report were completed.
Previously, Wan Ahmad Aslam and his wife Siti Zulaiha Norizan, 39, as well as children Diya Raisha, 13, and Ahmad Raef, 9, as well as two mountain guides Shafiee Sidek, 49, and Hazman Mamat, 43, were reported missing after climbing the mountain on August 29.
They were reported to have failed to exit the forest by the scheduled date on Sept 3 and the family members then filed a police report. - Bernama
