'His soul lives in every sunrise over Kinabalu', says sister of quake victim as she completes climb brother could not finish
PETALING JAYA: Ten years after the devastating 2015 earthquake on Mount Kinabalu that claimed the lives of several young climbers, one woman has completed the ascent her brother could not finish, carrying with her a memory that time has not faded.
Simran Jaryal, the sister of Navdeep Jaryal, one of the students who tragically perished in the earthquake, recently returned to the mountain to honour her brother by reaching the summit on his behalf.
Her emotional tribute, shared through the official @mtkinabalu Instagram account, has touched thousands, garnering over 4,000 likes and drawing heartfelt responses from across the globe.
'Reaching the summit of Mount Kinabalu was one of the most emotional experiences of my life.
'Every step I took, I carried the memory of my brother, Navdeep. His laughter, his courage, and his unshakable spirit,' she said in a heartfelt tribute.
Navdeep, described by his sister as a 'cheeky and funny boy' who could 'light up a room with just a smile or a quick-witted comment', had been part of a school expedition in 2015 when a 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck Sabah.
The earthquake, which occurred on June 5 that year, killed 18 people, mostly students and teachers from Singapore's Tanjong Katong Primary School who had been on an educational hike.
Massive boulders dislodged by the tremor swept down the mountain, catching climbers off guard and causing widespread destruction.
Navdeep, who had trained with dedication and determination for the expedition, never got the chance to reach the summit.
But for Simran, his presence was felt every step of the way.
'This climb was not just for me, it was for Navdeep and his friends.
'I felt his energy in the mountain air, in the encouragement of those who climbed with me, and in the quiet moments when the path got steep and my spirit faltered,' she added.
Surrounded by fellow climbers and supported by friends and family who remembered her brother fondly, Simran described the climb as a journey of healing and remembrance.
'Grief and love often walk the same trail.I reached the top not alone, but with Navdeep in my heart.
'This climb is a tribute to his memory, to his bravery, and to the joy he brought into all our lives. He may not have reached the summit in body, but his soul lives in every sunrise over Kinabalu.'
Her post, described by the account as a touching tribute, serves not only as a deeply personal act of love but also as an inspiration to others who continue to ascend the iconic peak.
'Forever missed. Forever loved,' she wrote in closing.
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