Doctor, 66,scaled Mt Kinabalu for the 50th time

Radiologist Dr Ravi Mandalam (fourth left) , 66, at the base of Low’s Peak of Mount Kinabalu during his 50th climb before Conditional Movement Order in Sabah. - NSTP/courtesy of Dr Ravi Mandalam

KOTA KINABALU: A sexagenarian who made his 50th climb to the peak of Mount Kinabalu in September expressed desire to return to its summit once the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) is lifted.

Dr Ravi Mandalam, 66, managed to fulfil his regular, and latest, two-day trip to the summit with seven other friends to celebrate his milestone just before the statewide CMCO was imposed in October.

"We started on Sept 11, duly reaching the summit of Low's Peak the next day in the most comfortable weather with beautiful blue skies," said the man from India who made Sabah his home since 1994.

"It has been a great 25-year journey and I am grateful to God for giving me physical fitness and good health and also grateful to all my friends, who have joined, encouraged and supported me in this endeavour."

His love for the majestic 4,095m-high Mount Kinabalu did not only manifest in his frequent climbing - twice a year - but Dr Ravi had also written and published several books about it.

Among them were "The Hugh Low Trail" and "East Kinabalu" which he co-authored with Prof Chin Shui Hiung and Christopher Chin, as well as his publication "The Kotal Route Sketches" and "The Bowen's Route Chronicles".

In 2017, Dr Ravi, who is also a Rotarian, climbed the three highest mountains in Sabah - Mount Kinabalu, Tambuyukon and Trus Madi - to raise funds to help patients who could not afford to pay for cataract surgical fees.

A radiologist at a private hospital here, Dr Ravi said he was optimistic the pandemic would be under control soon, provided everyone adhered to the standard operating procedures to mitigate widespread infection.

"My message to all youngsters in Sabah, we have a world-class mountain with a well-maintained trail, right at our doorstep.

"Seize the opportunity and climb it as often as you can. The benefits are immense – get a glimpse into the wonders created by Mother Nature, know the importance of conservation for the ecological health of the planet and for future generations and the spin-off bonus of having good health and physical fitness."

Sabah Parks closed Mount Kinabalu, which is a world heritage site in Ranau, for 14 days starting Sept 25 after a climber in Tawau tested positive for Covid-19.