Blocked trails delayed six hikers’ return from Gunung Gerah, says Perak Fire Dept

In Gerik, six hikers participating in the Trans GBB expedition faced delays due to overgrown, disused trails, according to Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Sayani Saidon. The group, consisting of four family members and two forestry mountain guides, had been reported missing since September 3 after failing to emerge from the jungle on schedule.

The hiking route to Mount Sepat and Mount Beratuh was plagued by severe difficulties, with the trails being overgrown and closed due to extensive disuse by hikers, resulting in fallen trees and challenging conditions. Cellular coverage was also spotty, leading to a loss of contact with the group. A search and rescue operation was initiated when the family reported the hikers missing on the scheduled date.

Remarkably, the hikers managed to reach Mount Bongkok before regaining mobile coverage on September 7, allowing the SAR team to locate them via smoke plumes. The multi-agency operation involved the Storm and Mosar units, mountain guides from Perak and Kelantan, as well as personnel from the police, Forestry Department, and Department of Wildlife and National Parks.

All six hikers were safely rescued at Pos Kemar and arrived at Pos Kemar Health Clinic around 9.15pm on September 7, where they were examined and found to be in good health with no injuries. The SAR team and hikers departed Pos Kemar on September 8 and reached the Trojan Jetty in Tasik Banding by 10.20am, proceeding to Gerik district police headquarters for further documentation and procedures.