Kuala lumpur: The pursuit of instant social media popularity is contributing significantly to the increase in hiking emergencies and missing cases in forest areas. Mountain Medicine Society Malaysia president Muhamad Aliff Abdullah has highlighted this growing trend, which sees individuals underestimating the challenges of mountain environments.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Muhamad Aliff Abdullah emphasized that while the number of people engaging in outdoor recreational activities has risen, safety awareness has not kept pace. The allure of aesthetic content on digital platforms has given rise to 'express hikers,' individuals eager to conquer peaks for fear of missing out (FOMO), without adequate preparation or experience.
Muhamad Aliff noted that many perceive hiking as low-risk, failing to recognize the unpredictable nature of mountain environments. Social media often showcases only the scenic outcomes, neglecting the challenges faced during the journey. This misrepresentation leads hikers to tackle difficult trails without basic skills or proper training, resulting in poor decision-making influenced by fatigue, hypothermia, or acute mountain sickness (AMS).
The expert in wilderness medicine elaborated that emergencies often stem from a series of vulnerabilities, including inadequate equipment, fitness, and mental readiness. He highlighted common errors like ignoring team discipline, continuing in adverse weather, and over-reliance on gadgets without basic survival skills.
Addressing myths about mystical elements in forests, Muhamad Aliff, also president of the 7 Continents Exploration Club of Malaysia (KE7B), stressed respecting traditional customs while prioritizing modern science. He explained that what some perceive as mystical disturbances are often due to dehydration, panic, sleep deprivation, or altitude-related conditions like high-altitude cerebral oedema (HACE).
Muhamad Aliff proposed a modern overhaul of hiking safety management, advocating for a standardized mountain risk-rating system and mandatory digital registration for high-risk routes. He urged for stricter enforcement against unpermitted hiking and enhanced rescue training through a national outdoor recreation safety education module.
Norimah Abd Karim from Persatuan Malim Gunung Perhutanan (MGP) Selangor echoed these concerns, identifying SOP breaches and neglect of the 'buddy' system as significant challenges faced by guides. With over a decade of experience, she cautioned against the trend of minimal gear for social media aesthetics, which compromises safety.
Norimah supports the Forestry Department's initiative to mandate MGP services for hikes above 500 meters and the use of digital tracking applications, alongside ongoing safety education campaigns.
Recent tragedies, like the disappearance of Jaslinda Saludin at Gunung Batu Putih and the death of Nur Izzati Humaira Azizul at Bukit Changkat Asa, underscore the urgency of addressing safety in hiking. These incidents, coupled with past unresolved cases, highlight the need for a robust safety culture in outdoor recreation.