Hazards of hiking: sharp rise in mishaps as more Hongkongers flock outdoors, with many risking safety for selfies
- Seasoned hikers urge beginners to check difficulty of trails, stay alert to changing weather
- Many are trekking in inappropriate clothes, perching on dangerous spots for photos
The bad news? Many have got into mishaps in recent months, with a sharp rise in mountain rescues and people getting injured. At least two deaths have been reported.
Experienced hiking enthusiasts have a plea for city slickers who feel the urge to clamber up hilly trails: stop posing for selfies at risky spots.
Regular hiker Alex Chow, 32, a logistics worker, said that on several occasions, he had seen people perched precariously to take selfies on Kowloon Peak, a steep rocky slope in Ma On Shan Country Park dubbed “Suicide Cliff”.
“I once saw two girls dancing on the big rock as they took selfies. I felt like my heart was about to jump out of my chest,” he said.
Fire Services Department figures show there were 140 mountain rescue incidents from February to April, up from 55 incidents over the same period last year. The number of injuries also soared to 65, from 26 over the same period last year.