BY TASHNY SUKUMARAN
Winter is coming: (from left) Saiyidah, Soe and Sivanantini bundled up in warm clothing at i-City’s SnoWalk in Shah Alam.
SHAH ALAM: For three lucky Malaysians, it will be no sweat earning an all-expense paid trip to Nepal.
All they need to do is brave 60 hours in sub-zero temperatures at i-City’s SnoWalk here – part of Astro and Fox International Channels’ Ultimate Cold Challenge.
The chilly challenge is held in conjunction with the second season of Ultimate Survival Alaska, a reality show airing on the National Geographic channel about survivalists competing in wilderness races.
Four teams of three are taking part in the Ultimate Cold Challenge, armed with only 30kg of supplies and each other – there is no phone reception in SnoWalk.
The four teams will sleep in tents set up inside the 50,000 sq ft area and brave temperatures of -5°C to -10°C.
“Bathroom breaks are given every four hours, although points are lost for additional toilet breaks or asking for extra food or clothing,” said Fox International Channels market director Penny Tan at the start of the “ordeal” here yesterday.
One team, The Serdangs, comprising Abas Azmi Abas Mazni, Maslina Mohamad and Siti Nur Fathirah Adnan, all 24, expressed confidence in winning the challenge.
“I like the cold, it doesn’t bother me,” said Abas, while his team-mates said they would “hug each other for warmth”.
Participant Sivanantini Narapan, 26, of the Girls Gone Wild team, said she and her team-mates were ready for the nights ahead.
“I don’t like the cold but my team-mates and I are all adventure junkies,” the teacher said.
“We frequently take part in activities like rock-climbing.”
Sivanantini, Soe Chea Wen and Saiyidah Izzati Nur Razak Maideen came prepared with 30kg of winter clothes, cheese, dates, chocolates and cereal bars.
“Dates are high-energy and full of vitamins,” said Soe.
A third team, Diehard Misfits, had the bright idea of packing their supplies in black garbage bags to save space — blankets, bread, pillows and sturdy shoes.
“Our bags alone weighed 7kg,” said contestant Aaron Leo Chung Sheng, 23.
His teammates Chua Chun Vun and Ng Thai Tat, also 23, said they had come all the way from Malacca to participate.
“Why not? If we win, maybe I will take leave and climb Mount Everest,” said Ng.
Team Huntmaster was confident of its victory, with members Norhafizuddin Hussein, Muhammad Yasser Anuar and Mohamad Norzuhri Basirun, all 24, saying they could “confirm” this.
“It’s not that cold!” said Norhafizuddin, bundled up in his tent.
St John’s Ambulance and three doctors from Klang Hospital are stationed at the scene in case any participant needs emergency medical attention and to provide check-ups every two hours.
Tan said the teams would also be involved in challenges where they could win points and more warm clothing.
“The challenges will focus on fine motor skills and problem solving, as the cold can slow you down,” she said, adding that it was “infinitely” easier than Ultimate Survival Alaska.
“For one thing, there are no bears!”
The five-day, four-night trip to Nepal for three will be a combination of sightseeing and “adventure”, said Tan, adding that this included canoeing and jungle trekking.
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