26 March 2009, an auspicious day to start the journey.
We, 13 of us, took off from Singapore to Kota Kinabalu, East Malaysia, after few months of preparation to conquer the Mount Kota Kinabalu, 4095m/13,435ft above the sea level.
Nice weather, although the weather forecast from internet indicated that it has been raining for weeks in East Malaysia. It did not affect our spirit to conquer the mountain.
Day 1
We reached the Kinabalu Park and the afternoon was free and easy.
I could see the mountain from the foot of the mountain. She’s so beautiful and sitting patiently and quietly waiting to be touched by us.
I prayed and talked to her quietly. I prayed for safety and good weather. Yeah yeah, you can just say I am superstitious. However, it worked. I will share with you at the end of this blog.
The weather was cold at night. Special thank to Captain Choon Leong for bringing a bottle of Macallan 12 year old to K.K. A man and his best friend. We had that whiskey to keep us warm at night.
Day 2
We started the first 6km trekking ten in the morning from the Timpohon Gate near park headquarters.
The first two km was an enjoyable climb. We took many photos along the way.
Mount KK is one of the natures reserved in East Malaysia. We were comparing the changes of flora along the trails, than overtaking other walkers that set off before us.
3km onward……..I started feeling tired.
The trek was predominantly uphill. The track alternates between steep stairs and regular sections of uneven inclined track. Without the effects of high altitude, the walk would be physically taxing. With the lack of oxygen, we became more fatigued far more quickly.
It took us 4 to 5 hours to reach Laban Rata, 3272m above sea level.
My whole body was aching like HELL! It was bitterly cold in the Laban Rata rest house. Here again, my Hero, Macallan kept me warm and I was able to sleep in the evening.
The food at Laban Rata resthouse was delicious.
It’s incredible how the rest house could provide such a varied menu as every gas bottle, sack of rice, can of cola etc has to be carried up by porters. These are often tiny women, hardly bigger than the wicker baskets strapped to their backs. It made me feel very humble.
DAY 3
Depart from Laban Rata 2.45a.m. for the remaining 2km up to the peak of Mount Kinabalu.
The temperature was about 5 degree, the air was very thin and the surroundings were dark. We geared up in warm winter clothings, beanie, gloves, and a torch (head light) to light our way up. Special mentioned the stairs near the Laban Rata resthouse that covered with ice. I almost fell down in a few occasions. It took up to an hour before I emerged from the scrub to the open rock face.
The party began!
I lost my team mates because the surroundings were so dark. It was a clear night. I could see millions of stars on the sky. It was so close yet so far. That was the most beautiful things that I ever seen.
Subsequently I found some of my team mates. In fact they were all along right in front of me. YF told me that in fact she called me in numerous occasions, but I just ignored her. This is me, the blur queen in the group.
Oh Altitude! You tend to play your role here.
Literally one-step, one breath up the mountain. We took a break after every 10 steps. I have a good mountain guide, Pak Sompot. He kept encouraging me that I could make it to the peak in one and half hours time.
We pushed ourselves step by step from Sayat-Sayat to the Low Peak. It’s frustrated because each time you think you have crossed a ridge, another long uphill appeared in front of you! I cursed and sworn along the way and questioned myself why I was doing it. I should have spent my holiday on the beach.
On Top of the World
We reached the peak before 6a.m. I made it!
The views in all directions were awesome! The experience of seeing the sun rise at 4095m above sea level made all the efforts and pain worth it.
“Im on the top of the world lookin
down on creation And the only explanation I can find
Is the love that Ive found ever since youve been around
Your loves put me at the top of the world”…..
I thought the hardest part was over………. The descent was tricky. I descended from the steep mountain with my jelly legs.
We still went for Sungai Padas White Water Rafting the next day with sore legs. The weather for the whole journey was fantastic. It did not rain at all until we reached the airport.
See, it worked! Respect the Mother Earth and Nature.
Ivory n Gold
