From climbing to sailing, people have always had a desire to push their physical and mental limits in the simple pursuit of fun.

HOWEVER large or high a mountain may be it will at some point find itself under the feet of a successful climber. This is the nature of people involved in adventure sports: however great the challenge, they feel compelled to overcome it.

“I am a mountaineer because I love adventure,” says Aung Myint Myat (27), mountaineer and member of Myanmar Universities of Hiking and Mountaineering (MUHM). “Climbing is a sport but it is different from others, it is not an activity with rules in which people or teams compete against each other, it is not a sport where success is achieved through beating a weaker rival; it is a sport in which participants have to compete with nature.”

Taking on nature is a risky business that frequently takes the lives of climbers the world over. Even once a climber has reached a mountain summit they must still navigate back to base camp safely.

“I love to encounter the risks and challenges involved in climbing,” continues Aung Myint Myat.

“We learn from experienced climbers; learn the geography and the weather conditions of the mountain that is chosen for climbing.”

Climbers must prepare themselves for the changeable weather conditions on mountains, encounters with wildlife, avalanches and frost bite.

“There are many possible dangers and accidents can be caused by the negligence of climbers so great care, good judgement and experience are needed while climbing.”

Yet even the best preparation can’t stop accidents from happening sometimes.
“While hiking alongside the Malikha river, I stumbled amidst large stones and sprained my arm accidentally. Although the trainers guided us through the route, many slipped and fell in the snow several times.”

“It taught us not to take unnecessary risks when we are in unsafe places,” says Aung Myint Myat.

Aside from the social benefits of climbing as part of a team and the personal challenges involved in reaching a summit, climbers also have the opportunity to meet the ethnic groups who populate Myanmar’s mountainous regions.

Many of the highest mountains in Myanmar, including Hkakabo Razi (19,295 ft), which borders China, have now been climbed, some by MUHM climbers. Presently, the vertical snow-capped peaks have not been attempted though.

“It would be very perilous to climb the steep rock faces, we have not conquered them yet because it requires great investment in technique and equipment. Climbers need to practise on artificial walls before trying out a steep rock face. It is too risky to climb them but we are quite eager to try,” says Aung Myint Myat.

Still, the climbers have attempted some ambitious climbs.

“Last December, one of my friends and I were sent to guide students and teachers from ILBC to climb Mt Phon Kan Razi (11,926 ft), the snow capped mountain in Kachin State. There were 39 of us. I felt stressed about whether I could lead them to the summit, but fortunately I brought them to the peak and back down to the base camp in Putao safely. No one in the group was injured. It was one of the proudest moments of my life.”

Dr Suu Myat Soe (26) is a yachtswoman who started her sailing career in a small dinghy on Inya Lake at the age of ten. Since then she has progressed into boat racing at sea.

“Sailing is considered to be adventurous, although when I was sailing on Inya Lake, which is a small area of still water that does not have strong currents or large waves, I wasn’t very stimulated,” she says.

Not so in Europe where strong winds, icy water and huge waves can all be found at sea without too much searching.

“Courage and physical fitness are crucial to withstanding changeable weather as well as mental resilience to overcome the sudden obstacles that are placed in your path.” she says, adding that “the trouble with me was that I could not sail on the sea where waves were breaking all the time; my dinghy did not move as far as the others. [The sport] tests fitness, persistence and intellect. Although it’s not too risky, I was worn out and exhausted [when I finished] but I just live and breathe yachting.”

“I get a sense of adventure sailing at sea and have come to love the challenges and difficulties in racing. The more adventurous and exciting the situation, the happier I am; it is a brilliant and thought-provoking sport,” she says.

So far Dr Suu Myat Soe’s sailing adventures have taken her to France, Germany, Poland, Holland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Australia and Southeast Asian countries, where she has won various awards including 1st prize in the women’s ASEAN Optimist Championship Myanmar in 1996, 4th place at the International 420 Open World Championship in 2001, 1st place at the International 420 class 21st Sea Games in 2001 and 2nd place at the Int’l 470 class 23rd Sea Games respectively.

U Kyi Moe Aung, a cyclist, has been riding competitively for many years now and was winner of the 1000 mile Tour de Myanmar in 1990.

“My mother died of asthma and I was born with the illness... I took medication but having spent 20 years cycling my asthma has gone away, it even surprised my doctor,” he says.

U Kyi Moe Aung is eager to promote the sport both for its social, physical and environmental benefits. He cycles to work everyday; a 7 mile ride that takes 45 minutes. If he travels by bus the journey takes him more than twice as long.

“It would be better for the environment if more people used bikes rather than cars, almost every home in our country has a bicycle but they do not know how good cycling can be for you,” he says.

One of the great things about cycling is its social aspect.

“We bike for pleasure not always to race. On our cycling trips we travel around 100 miles a day, which takes eight hours. In a competition a cyclist has to ride at least 100 miles in four hours so we never get any serious injuries while cycling.”

Though cycling for most people is often just about getting from A to B, or doing their bit for the environment, when taken seriously it can be quite dangerous, with routes taking in human and natural obstacles and rugged terrain all at high speed.

Winner of three gold belts in Myanmar traditional boxing, Tway Ma Shaung enjoys a good fight.

“Lively music has always inspired me to take part in boxing matches. I began boxing when I was young by taking part in matches held at pagoda festivals. The music goads me into boxing and helps me against getting injured. I love boxing, I love adventure,” says the boxer who has competed in approximately 90 matches.

“I have not sustained serious injuries through boxing matches except once when my tooth came out while fighting Win Tun. It caused my forehead and eyes to swell and bleed and I couldn’t see anything in the ring, however I get pleasure from dressing and cleaning my wounds after the match,” he adds.

In a nod to the gentlemanly nature of boxing, Tway Ma Shaung admits that he regrets causing too much harm to opponents and always stops if his opponent falters dangerously.