KOTA KINABALU: A climber who went missing while trekking up Mount Tambuyukon on Saturday has been found by the search and rescue operation team.
Alan Chong Yun Kiong, 31, was found along Sungai Kopuakan near Stesen Monggis at 6.15pm yesterday, Sabah Parks deputy director Dr Malarkin Lakim said.
“He is safe and sound and has since returned to Kota Kinabalu,” said Malarkin, adding that the search and rescue operation had been called off.
Alan was reported missing on Sunday night by the mountain guide who took him and five others on the two-day one-night trek up Mount Tambuyukon.
The search and rescue operation for Alan was activated at 10pm on Sunday after he was reported missing. He was believed to have gotten lost after separating from his group at KM6-KM7 while descending from the peak of the mountain located in Ranau.
Malarkin, when contacted yesterday, said Alan was in a group of six people and two mountain guides who began their ascent up Mount Tambuyukon on Saturday.
“Climbing Mount Tambuyukon is only permitted through special request. The facilities are very basic and climbers have to bring their own tents,” he noted.
According to Malarkin, the group started their trek at 8.30am on Saturday and spent the night at KM10. They continued on to the peak and descended to Stesen Monggis along the Ranau-Kota Marudu road.
The distance to Stesen Monggis is 14km, he said, adding that there is no mobile phone coverage in the area.
“Only upon reaching Stesen Monggis that night did one of the mountain guides, Dianik Dani, notice that one of the group members was missing.
“A report was immediately lodged at 9.45pm and a search and rescue team comprising Sabah Parks staff at the station, mountain guides, as well as villagers from Kampung Monggis was immediately formed and dispatched to the area where he was last seen,” he said.
Malarkin said they had searched for Alan the whole night and were joined by eight firemen from the Ranau Fire and Rescue Services Department yesterday morning.