We all made it!!!

What a climb! 44 of us made the climb and we all made it! 3 kids below 12 and 2 adults above 60. What a combination! We have thousands of pictures and lots of videos. I had such a blast watching the vidoes of the climb. The satisfaction that was on the faces of the climbers tell it all.

For many of the climbers, it was not easy. I could see the strain on their faces. Dr Soh Lay Sian and Dr Vasantha both did extremely well. They were the first to arrive in the group of 24 who made the climb at 7-30 am to the peak. They were so determined. Lay Sian arrived first and she was so happy. Dr Vasantha despite an "operated-on" knee also huffed her way to the top.

My Grandson Daniel started crying at Sayat Sayat (some 1,000 feet below the summit) and he continued crying for the next two hours. It is incredible because he cried for 2 hours. Where did the tears come from?? Still he made the summit in fifth place. Manson did well despite his broken spectacles. He was blind as a bat but he battled on gamely. Mandy his sister was quietly determined.

There is hope for the youths of our time. Many of them showed how they were resolute in their commitment and that augers well for the young. The old ones would not lose out too. Aik Jong at 61 was an epitome of health and fitness. He reached the top early. Barbara and Imelda showed what resolve was when they struggled through successfully to reach the top. Kamariah and Maria showed how persistence can be such a positive thing. They almost did not make it but they did not give up.

It is all about not giving up. Yes, my friends - it is about just putting your one foot after the next step. Life is like this. We cannot give up; we should not give up; we must not give up!!

We will get back to all of you after we post the next round of photos. Cho!

Ong Hock Siew