CLIMBING UPHILL ON YOUR WAY TO HEALTH

By Kurniawati Kamarudin

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 (Bernama) -- Bukit Batu Putih, a hill adjacent
to Taman Awana in Cheras, is teeming with motley crowd during the weekends as
hundreds of people from far and near visit the place not just to relax or soak
in the fresh air, but also exercise by going uphill.

Streams of people from all walks of life, young and old, can be seen
ascending and descending the hill to sweat it out while enjoying the greenery
provided by the jungle covering the hill, something that is increasingly rare in
Kuala Lumpur nowadays.

Bukit Batu Putih, with its peak at 1,010-metre from sea level and steep
gradient, is ready to put to test anybody’s physical endurance.

ROUTE TO THE TOP

As for those who have not been there, there are several routes leading to
Bukit Batu Putih, some being Taman Awana (the route used by most
people), Taman Mudun, Cheras Hartamas and Taman Melur from Bukit Saga, Ampang.

Many come to the hill daily and some like Uncle Lim, 75, are well known
faces of the hill. Other climbers at Bukit Batu eagerly wait for the genial
Uncle Lim who almost without fail visits the hill daily.

The classic Mandarin song reverberating along the route winding up the hill,
whether it rains or shines, indicates Uncle Lim's presence.

With a cheerful face and a 1.5 metre stick, he starts his way up by 8am as
he feels it is the best time to get vitamin D other than enjoying the fresh
morning atmosphere.

"I sing aloud while climbing because it is good for the lungs. If I don't
sing, I get bored and it takes me longer to reach the peak," shared this
senior citizen, who lives in the neighbourhood.

Looking hale and hearty, with his t-shirt wet from sweat, he greets
anyone whom he meets on the hill and has made a lots of friends.

Uncle Lim's hill climbing routine started 10 years ago when he realised his
body was slowly becoming weak due to inactivity after retirement.

"When there was no work, I just ate and slept, and soon my body started
becoming weak. So I started climbing the hill to sweat it out. I climb daily,
rain or shine, because I feel healthy and sleep well. When I return home, I take
a short nap before proceeding with other outines," he said.

Ever since he started hill climbing, Uncle Lim has been in the best
of health, except for some fever and common cold. He is free from heart
ailments, high blood pressure or even diabetes.

He added that he watches his diet too and advised others to start taking
care of their health right from an early stage.

"Many are gluttons and lazy to exercise, that is why they suffer from a host
of disorders. Always think of making money, never happy, sooner or later they
fall sick and die," said the father of two children.

Uncle Lim, who has six grandchildren, noted that climbing Bukit Batu Putih
also helped him overcome loneliness as he meets his old friends there while
making new ones.

HILL CLIMBING AND WELLNESS

Hill climbing is a recreational activity that calls for physical and mental
strength.

According to Universiti Teknologi Mara's (UiTM) Sports Science and
Recreation lecturer Associate Prof Dr Anuar Suun, more people are taking up
climbing as it is another wellness lifestyle.

Apart from Bukit Batu Putih, there are many hills within the Klang Valley
where this activity is popular - Bukit Gasing, Bukit Saga, Bukit Tabur, Bukit
Broga and Bukit Takun.

Dr Anuar pointed out that climbing hills regularly could help in
maintaining body weight and keep heart disease at bay. The heart becomes
stronger and works optimally through physical exercise.

He said that even those with heart problems, except if it is serious, could
climb hills but they should seek their doctor's advice beforehand.

"The same goes for those with high blood pressure, they have to seek the
doctor's advice beforehand as climbing activity pushes up the blood pressure and
causes extra stress to the heart," he said.

Hill climbing also reduces stress and mood swings, and improved blood flow
helps to slow down the aging process.

PERILS OF HILL CLIMBING

Meanwhile, Lt. Muda Shahrul Kamar Mohd Joha, an officer with the Federal
Territory Civil Defence Department, said while climbing Bukit Batu Putih is a
healthy recreational activity, climbers have to be aware of the perils.

He pointed out that first timers should be careful as there is a risk of
getting lost because the hill has 30 Y junctions and those who lose their way
may end up deeper in the jungles of Hulu Langat.

However, to help joggers and visitors find their way, numerous markers have
been put up along the way, including six checkpoints. Despite this, people get
lost.
Even those familiar with the place also go missing, especially when they
suffer from sprained ankle or chest pain that immobilises them.

"Often those who get lost are the ones who start late in the evening. Some
start late without any preparation like proper shoes and attire and this slows
them down, and when darkness sets in they fail to see their way out," observed
Shahrul, who took joint search teams in five cases where people went missing on
the hill.