For Sabahan hiker Fatin, creating content should not come at the expense of safety.
An active hiker since 2023, she has climbed several peaks across Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia including Mount Kinabalu, Mount Sinsing, Mount Yong Yap, and Mount Yong Belar.
“I don’t go near ledges or dangerous spots just for a photo or video and I stick to the buddy system, even when I am hiking with strangers,” said Fatin, who is also a content creator.
“I follow the guides closely and don’t wander off on my own and for hikes longer than five hours, I also bring a walkie talkie.”
Before each hike, Fatin said she would study the route, check the weather and ensure that she packs a first-aid kit, sufficient food and emergency supplies.
Beyond the influence of social media, trip operators also have to manage what X-Trekkers director Yeo described as “summit fever”, when hikers become so determined to reach the peak that they are reluctant to turn back even when conditions become unsafe.
For groups travelling from Singapore, even an hour-long delay at immigration could eat into the daylight available for a climb, he said, forcing guides to strictly enforce cut-off times.
“Hikers invest time and money into a climb and are highly motivated to reach the top. When a local guide calls for a retreat due to fading daylight or weather, hikers often perceive this as the guide being ‘lazy’ or unwilling to do their job,” Yeo said.
Managing this tension while ensuring hikers respect safety boundaries is a challenge for operators, he added.
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