Lin Pei-ju, the director of Chiayi County Livestock Disease Control Center, scaled the peak of Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia, on Saturday, where she unfurled a banner reading “Taiwan, Asia No. 1” to highlight Taiwan’s leadership in livestock disease prevention.
Lin’s climb was part of her mission to raise awareness of Taiwan’s success in controlling infectious livestock diseases, including African swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease, and classical swine fever. She emphasized Taiwan’s role as a frontrunner in Asia in combating these diseases.
During the climb, Lin sought to complete the “Asian Trilogy Peak Challenge,” which includes summiting Taiwan’s Yushan (3,952 meters), Mount Kinabalu (4,095 meters), and Japan’s Mount Fuji (3,776 meters), as a means of promoting Taiwan’s achievements in livestock health management.
In comparison to her previous summit of Yushan three years ago, Lin described the Kinabalu climb as significantly more challenging. The journey began on Friday from the Timpohon Gate at 1,866 meters, with Lin and her team ascending 1,400 meters in elevation over a 6-kilometer stretch to reach the Laban Rata Resthouse at 3,273 meters. The climb took six hours.
The following morning, at 2:30 a.m., the team resumed their hike, covering the final 2.5 kilometers and climbing 820 meters to the summit. After celebrating their achievement with a quick brunch at the rest house, they began their descent. The return route, an 8.5-kilometer trail, involved a drop of approximately 2,200 meters.
Lin shared that despite the challenging conditions, including the darkness of the early hours and a forecasted day of clouds and rain, their perseverance paid off. Upon reaching the peak, they were greeted by clear skies and sunshine, allowing them to proudly display the banner, despite their exhaustion.
“The climb was demanding, but we were fortunate with the weather. The view at the top was breathtaking, and it was the perfect moment to showcase Taiwan’s achievements,” Lin remarked.
This climb, she explained, was not just a personal accomplishment but also a way to celebrate Taiwan’s ongoing efforts in livestock disease prevention. “Our goal this year is to earn international recognition for Taiwan as a nation free of the three major swine diseases,” Lin said, emphasizing the importance of spreading Taiwan’s success globally.
In 2022, amid widespread African swine fever outbreaks, Lin had also climbed Yushan, displaying a banner that read “You and I together to safeguard Taiwan hogs,” further underscoring Taiwan’s commitment to safeguarding its livestock industry.
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