Mudslide at Sime Track

We have been finally blessed with a spot of sunshine today and yesterday, and as the newspapers report, the clothes lines are full and hanging out once more. But just a few days ago, in the midst of the fury of the afternoon monsoon that came in from the north, I was running at MacRitchie and enjoying the slow rushing streams that gush down Sime Track after the Ranger's Station about 4.2 km deep in the trails. Then, in yesterday's evening news, I caught a report about mudslides at Bukit Timah, near Tiap Tiap Hut trail. My own visit there a few months back did suggest that the man-made trails there were very unstable and would not hold up to a week of constant wash and run-off. In fact, what the TV news cameras showed was much less terrible than what I would have expected. Still, hikers and joggers appeared to ignore the National Parks cordon and skirt the site at their own risk. Yesterday, I decided to hit Bishan Swimming Pool at 2.20 pm and thankfully, it was almost deserted. By before long, the school children were escorted in for some event and by 3.30 pm, the regular swimming instructor there was holding his class of tiny youngsters in the main pool. Certainly, I am encouraged to see so many dedicated swimmers, and possibly among them, some future national record-breaker. But the Sports Council would have done better in anticipating the need for more olympic lap pools and do away with the wading pool, or re-design the pool layouts to accommodate the need for more lap swimming by enthusiasts such as myself. Anyway, for reasons I can't say, I counted as many as 60 laps in less than 90 mins of swimming, which is probably my best yet! Incredible. Yes, I did feel a bit sore on the bed last night... and I slept very, very soundly, too. But this afternoon, I heeded Nature's gently prompting and found myself heading back to MacRitchie with the sky slightly grey and brimming with faint light from sunshine all morning long. To my surprise, when I arrived at the Ranger's Station, the starting point into Sime Track was completely cordoned off with no way to skirt it. Backtracking, I could see the reason why: there was a HUGE mudslide which completely wiped off whole portions of the trail into naked red earth and completely demolished vegetation which washed down the slope at the side of the track. It would have been horrific if some jogger or hiker was caught in that mudslide. Just then it occurred to me that it could not have taken place yesterday but the day before... perhaps even just minutes after I myself had passed that track in the rain. Like my other entry earlier which spoke of fallen trees, I am beginning to re-evaluate the inherent dangers that lurk and may present itself to trailrunners like myself. But that is the same thrill and adventure that all outdoor enthusiasts intrepidly face. Nonetheless, it's only a worthwhile adventure when, just like Bilbo Baggins - hobbit of noteworthy renown - is erstwhile when you do get there and get back again. I definite admore George Mallory, but do not want to emulate him in death and passing.