finally im here to gather up pieces of memories
and share my thrilling experience of conquering the highest mountain in South East Asia:
MOUNT KINABALU!!!
it was a 3 days package with the first night staying at Sutera Lodge Inn, which situated about 20minutes away from Kinabalu National Park...it was a nice little hut with a few rooms, dining hall, living hall, kitchens, bathrooms and toilets...it was well-equipped with warm shower, slippers, towel, toiletries etc etc...and we were sharing the hut with another bunch of climbers from HongKong...the meals provided were delicious too!!!after getting adequate sleep,we woke up at 6am, took our breakfast and went to the entrance of Mesilau Trail to meet our mountain guide
our bags were weighed and will be carried by our guide to Laban Rata...the charge was RM9 per kilo...and mine was 5kg!!!well, of course you can choose to carry your own bag if you're capable enough to climb the mountain with all the weight on your shoulder...mind you, those guides, they are really well-trained to carry more than 10kg of your bags and still can move effortless up the mountain!!!
with such excitements, we started our journey up to Laban Rata during the first day of climbing...i would like to share with you that there are actually 2 routes that can reach Laban Rata, the one we taken was Mesilau trail, which was more than 8km long but you'll definitely enjoy the nature as you'll be crossing rivers, muddy trails and rocks...the other route is Timpohon trail, which is about only 6km long with steep staircases, an easier but quite a boring trail...
My mountain climbing team mates were all my coursemates from university!!!
there were 8 of us and im proud to say that we were all fit enough to complete the entire adventure!!!
=D
OFF WE GO!!!
i enjoyed the view of nature along the trail where you can see the dramatic changes of the tree species...they changed from sky-high trees with green leaves, to the grey-looking, shorter and balder trees, following bonsai-looking with dark green leaves, and finally to bald trees with dangling green fur...
there were "pondok" along the trail for you to take some rest and eat to boost your energy, refills of water were available but not advisable...c'mon you wouldn't like to have diarrhoea halfway right?^^
our lunch box provided by Sutera Mesilau Lodge...such a light meal so for people with big stomach and fast metabolism, better to bring your own snacks like energy bars and chocolates
looked easy huh???but after hours of hiking, your limbs power will be drained off...and this kinda long-winding stairs will be like your greatest nightmare~
the weather was quite bad during our climb...heavy rain come and go...luckily all of us brought our raincoat
one of my friend was having a really bad muscle cramp...but his will and determination brought him to the peak!!!good job YiChuan!!!
after about 8 hours of hiking, we FINALLY reached Laban Rata!!!
i remembered that as a super duper happy moment!!!
as we were so hungry, tired and wet!!!
the yellow building was our shelter to stay for 1 night at Laban Rata...the best thing was it offered us buffet dinner on the day we reached, and also buffet supper and breakfast on the following day when we climbed to the peak...the worst thing was, they didn't provide warm shower!!!and it was a freezing 10 degree celcius up there!!!the-freeeezing-freeaakingly-painful-shower-that-i-will-never-ever-forget!!!XP
Ooya, the peak can be seen HERE, just behind the yellow building!...
after reaching Laban Rata, we finished our dinner at 6pm then went to rest and sleep at 7pm...you have only a few hours to recharge your body and mind as you need to wake up at 1.30am to have supper then meet up with your mountain guide at 2am to start the journey to the peak...that midnight climb was indeed the most unforgettable experience as you can see nothing but what your headtorch shone to...it was rocky trail all the way and it was super steep and challenging...typically, i was like Spiderwoman or Catwoman in some places where i need to climb up the near 90 degree rocks...sometimes you may need to hold the rope to pull yourself up so make sure you have a very well-gripped gloves...the temperature that time was near zero degree celcius...
after 3 hours of climb...
FINALLY!!!
we managed to reach the peak of Mount Kinabalu!the view was indeed magnificent but since it was very cloudy we didn't have the chance to see the sunrise...however, as the sky slowly brighten up...you'll have nothing to say but: WOW!!!
since the temperature was too cold up there and also the fear of heavy rain, we were urged to descend as soon as possible...this was taken on the way downhill, another peak of Mount Kinabalu...on the right was our mountain guide...
here comes the SCARIEST part: going down the steep slopes and rocks!!!
a million thanks for our mountain guide cz i can't imagine myself going downhill without holding him as balance...and during halfway downhill, rain started to pour down heavily and the rocks became even more slippery...and descending of those 90 degree rocks with white rope was the CRAZIEST thing i ever did in my life, i wasn't dare to imagine what might happen if i accidentally let go of the rope or if my foot just slipped off!!!sorry if im being a lil bit exaggerate BUT i have phobia even while crossing the "longkang"!!!XD
i was so THANKFUL that i was still ALIVE after reaching Laban Rata from the peak!!!
we had our breakfast at Laban Rata, rested for an hour and checked out from our room...
next, it's time to embrace the painful journey of going downhill from Laban Rata to the Kinabalu National Park...trust me, climbing up wasn't the most difficult part, it was the part when going downhill!!!
we took about 4 hours to reach the National Park from Laban Rata and nothing hurts more than my big toes!!!and we feel nothing more than RELIEVED and SATISFIED!!!
LASTLY
i present to you...
the worthy RM6.80 "Kampung Adidas", which have superb gripping...highly recommended for climbing Mount Kinabalu...you can ask your driver to bring you to the convenient shop on the way to National Park to buy it...
thanks for saving my life my loyal shoes!!!^^
and of course...
my certificate and name tag for remembrance!!!
=)
footnote:
some people might ask why am i willing to pay RM890 to this self-torturing journey...i will always give the same answer, that it's a once in a life time experience that you'll never forget till the end of your life...some climbers described it as life-changing, as you'll be amazed by your hidden, inner-strength and determination...the whole adventure isn't only about physical fitness and stamina but also require resilience, courage and motivation to move on no matter how difficult the circumstances are...
take the challenge
and try it
when you're still young and fit!
;)
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