The People You Don't Want to Leave Behind

I've met and trekked with many different ones over the the years. And it's on these treks that I've learnt to be a careful observer of characters. I've seen mean, vicious ones like Hyde and The Lord of the Flies, and I've seen good, fun, loving people. It's always a joy to experience the company of wonderful people, and it's only fitting that they be acknowledged and remembered. Here, then, are some of my friends, my trekking partners—the companions I enjoy trekking with, and hope to trek with again in future.

Ian "Medicine-man" Wikarski He's not only one of the speediest trekkers, he's also a first-aid specialist. But the best thing about him is that he'll carry more than 20kgs just so that he can cook anything on a mountain. Because of him, we've tried cousoullet, spaghetti, roti canai and other exotic food on mountains. Now, he's in Trinidad immersing himself in a new sport—surfing.

Don "Rain-Bringer" Mah He says he'll just come for the treks and not do any organisational work. The truth is: he's secretly in love with organising treks. Once he's all fired up to go up a mountain, he'll do everything (and anything) to make sure the Trekking Club succeeds. But lately he's been bitten by the Climbing Bug! And happily married to Bernadette Mullen.     Check out the Special Trekking Maple Leaf Climb-o-Meter at his website!

Scott "Melody Maker" Paterson Scott's one of the pioneers of the CIMP Trekking Club. His early enthusiasm helped him trek up Gunung Ledang eagerly, crawl though the claustrophobic confines of Gua Tempurung (Tempurung Cave) bravely and snorkel in the surrounding seas of Pangkor Island. His journeys off the beaten path inspired him to compose the hit song Malaysian Highway Blues. Now, Scott's happily married with a Malaysian girl and working in Canada.

Khoo Nee On A supposedly fearless Tae Kwan-do specialist who's our model volunteer. He's always prepared to help out when the need arises. One should feel safe when he's around. But seriously, he's afraid of worms and leeches - and that has kept him from returning to the leech infested Gunung Besar Hantu. And he's just great at choosing bumpy spots to pitch tents.

Both of them are currently pursuing Bachelor degrees at Monash University Malaysia

Puah Sze Ning She used to wonder what it'd feel like to stand at a peak and watch the horizon. Then she started trekking. She used to be slow and quite misguided. Today, Sze Ning's a changed person. She's fast, she dreams of conquering mountain and she works in a climbing gym.

Ban Qin, Desmond & Amos Ho + Craig Kannan The Three Stooges, and a joker. Their motto, "Where one goes the rest will follow," has knitted them so tightly together that they've embarked on many trips together. Being rather strong trekkers, they usually blaze the trail ahead of everyone else (even if means going on the wrong path). Amos's roaming the streets of KL, Desmond's flexing his brains at Victoria University (Malaysia), and Bang Qin's splits time between university and indoor climbing.

Yap Quin Jean Seven good reasons why everyone should have Quin Jean around: 1. Her sheer determination to reach mountain peaks. 2. Her crowning achievements—so far she always summits on her first attempt. 3. She's the first Sunway College trekker to summit Gunung Nuang twice in one year. 4. She's often unpredictable! 5. She proves to be good and enjoyable company.[Very witty and funny!] 6. Her quiet disposition that belies a rather mischevious and fun character; and 7. She's humble and considerate. She's now completing an American Degree Program with an aim to enter a distinguished university.

Adrian Wong A great trekker. He's quick, quiet and quite handy to have around.

Bathmanathan The original source for "Where ____ goes, we follow." By far not the fastest trekker, but one of the most friendly, considerate, and inspiring trek leaders. He's among the few whom I went out with in my early trekking days; he got me hooked to trekking.

Candice Ng She's the only one who has unfailingly declared my home-made pasta sauce, and almost every is better than anything she can ever find publicly. For that, she deserves a mention on this Hall of Fame.

Craig Gerow Hails from Canada. A fellow colleague who has a knack for racing to the top of peaks. He's been so consistent being in front, he's alomst got the job as our official scout.

Jensen Paulee He's a nice and patient fellow to have around as he helps lighten people's load and mood at camps.

Lim Kar Mern She is fast. So fast Don calls her "Queen of the Jungle." She is unaccustomed to the modern methods of cooking and finds even boiling water in the forest amusing.

Lum Su-Yuen One of the most enthusiastic trekkers around. She takes her time on treks, but she has grit, patience and determination. And she acts as a reminder to why we never exclude anyone when we hike places to see places. She's now studying in New Zealand.

Soon Su Ming A dentist by trade, but a traveller at heart. It's a good job,but he seldom finds time to join us on treks. Once, he convinced him to close his dental clinic for a day just to join a trek. He came and his boss never found out. But he never tried that again. Now residing in London.

Teh Gin May This is a walking dynamite. At times she can be the slowest trekker I've ever seen, and at times she charges up a mountain like there's no tomorrow. She started the instant pasta trend.Now studying in Tasmania, Australia.