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by Stefanie Ann Herman>
In July 2001, a team of eight was sent to Taiwan, to attend the 3rd Asian Mountain Climbing Activity for the Blind. At 3,292 meters, Ta Ba Jien Mountain is, for the record, the second tallest mountain in Taiwan, a veritable giant when compared to Singapore's highest rock pile, Bukit Timah Hill, which measures in at a less than inspiring 162.5 meters. The event, organized by the Taipei Orienteering Association, is and annual one, attracting a host of participants from all over Asia, from as far as Japan and Korea.
This was the first time that Singapore was invited, and a team from SAVH, represented by five visually handicapped and three sighted members, was selected to take part in the event. For most of the team, this was also the first time we have ever had to climb a mountain, and little did we know of what was in store for us! This lack of experience, compounded with a distinct lack of any sort of preparation, made brain surgery seem like a routine procedure by comparison. Before we set off to Taiwan, we had been somewhat misled by our Taiwanese hosts about the level of difficulty of the task. We were told that it was simple walking, which a 70-year-old man could do; that we needed no special clothes because it was summer in Taiwan; and we did not have to bring anything with us. As the fates would have it, the so-called 70 year-old man turned out to be a supremely fit and sprightly 75 year-old able to out walk most others half his age. The weather forecast held true at sea level, but at 7 degrees Celsius at 3,000 meters, the gods were the only ones laughing. As if there was a need to rub in just how unprepared we were, there was also a need for hiking boots, torches, and walking sticks, which were needed for balance. The terrain was very difficult to negotiate, this meant that the visually handicapped participants had to listen carefully and stick close to their volunteers throughout the climb, or risk becoming part of the landscape.
The way up was tricky, and the lack of physical preparation prior to the event made it difficult to reach the top, but the constant support and encouragement from the Taiwanese volunteers helped us endure. Mr. Goh Yiu Huat, a member of the Singapore team, jokingly requested for a helicopter to take him up the rest of the way! The team also had to complete the rest of the climb in pitch darkness with only puny hand-held torches providing minimal illumination.
Fortunately, our massage instructor, Mr Gwee Yam Khoon, and masseur, Mr Seet Wee Sin, were with us to soothe our aching joints along the way. "They were most helpful to stop and massage us along the way, to ease the pain," said Mr Goh Yiu Huat.
Our team leader, Mr Goh Kok Yeow, was also very supportive of us, and stayed behind with the rest of his team members, motivating us onwards to the mountain hostel, and much needed rest. Of the hardship faced, Kok Yeow said, "Whatever does not kill you, will only make you grow stronger." When morning came (at 2.30am unfortunately), only Mr Gwee and Kok Yeow, were the only ones able to follow the other delegates to the summit, and pushed themselves both physically and mentally, to make it to the top. "The sight at the peak was simply breathtaking and made the hard work worth it all," said Kok Yeow, who took lots of photographs to prove it.
Upon their return, the whole team settled for a quick meal before beginning the descent. Prior to the descent, our liaison joked that there would be no helicopter to ferry us down! To most people, the descent would seem easier than the climb up the mountain, but it turned out that it was equally difficult as one had to control their movements. I couldn't believe we had actually climbed up all this way the night before, and had to be really careful not to slip on the rocks on the way down.
In all, only four visually handicapped members and three sighted volunteers made it up to mountain hostel, and only two of the volunteers reached the summit. Mr Leow Chee Tsai, due to health problems could not make the climb, but was instrumental in coordinating the whole event.
At 3,292 meters, Ta Ba Jien Mountain is, for the record, the second tallest mountain in Taiwan. The way up was tricky. Mr. Goh Yiu Huat, a member of the Singapore team, jokingly requested for a helicopter to take him up the rest of the way.
The objective of this event was to instill confidence, that in spite of their vision impairment, they would be able to climb a mountain. As it turned out, it was not only an accomplishment for the visually handicapped members, but also for the sighted members.
Despite the many challenges the team experienced along the way, the team succeeded in winning the hearts of the other countries' team members, and the organizers who made us promise to come again for the next mountain climbing activity. But I am sure this time we will be better prepared, and some of us have already started training to keep fit!
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