On top of Malaysia – Posted on 13 Feb 2007

It’s high, it’s cold, it’s crazy… and it’s peak of Mount Kinabalu. After recuperating from the unsuccessful attempt 6 months ago, I finally made it to the top… in a day! Yes, we (Ong, Joe and me) climbed from mountain foot (Timpohon gate) directly to the peak in a day.

I still can’t believe I walked up there

Group photo before climb.

In order for us to complete the journey in the same day, we have to make it to Laban Rata rest house before 12 noon. Based on my last climb, which took me almost 4 hours to reach the rest house, we have decided to start our journey as earliest as possible. We began at 7.30 am, the earliest group to start on that day.

The reasons why we wanted to make the journey in the same day are because…

1. Escape from the crowd. From my previous experience, almost everyone took the sunrise trip. That makes the journey to the peak crowded with climbers and we have to walk at slower pace.
2. Safer. Journey from the rest house to the peak requires you to cling on to a white rope. If one person in front or behind you slip, chances are you will fall down along with him. So less people means less risk.
3. Double the chances of reaching the peak. From my previous climb, the weather can get very nasty and caused every climbers to abandon their journey. If the weather is bad on the afternoon, then I still can try again on the usual sunrise trip. I don’t come this far to face the similar fate again.
4. Travel lighter. When you climb a mountain, every ounces count. Climbing on broad daylight means no need to bring along torch light, head lamp, extra batteries and extra clothes to keep warm.
5. I have seen better sunrise from airplane’s window.

A long “stair case” up the mountain.

Unlike my last climb, the weather was generally perfect. We can see our surrounding clearly. But I began to worry when it started to drizzle when we reached 4 km mark. Doina; our mountain guide seem unperturbed at all. Perhaps, it was expected and normal over there. I put on my poncho at Layang Layang hut and continued to climb.

After 3 hours and half enduring cold rain water, I finally reached the rest house; half an hour faster than my last climb. As expected, we were the first group of climbers to reach the rest house that day and we have plenty of time recharging our energy. After few cups of hot Milo and few chocolate bars, we felt good and confident that we can make it.

We left our backpacks at the reception office, wore my track suit and brought along only the necessities; camera, spare glove and socks, energy bar and water. We continued our ascent around 12 noon.

The total distance from Timpohon Gate to the peak is 8.7 km and the distance from Timpohon Gate to Laban Rata rest house is 6km. The last 2.7 km to the peak made the 6 km climb to the rest house seemed relatively easy. It took me another 3.5 hours to reach the peak from the rest house even though the distance is only half the distance from Timpohon Gate to the rest house . The steps to 6.5 km mark were very steep. I had to stop to catch my breath after every 10 steps because of the thin air.

Hold on to that rope if you don’t want to break any bones

After reaching 6.5 km mark, the route was even more challenging even though it was not that steep. We have to cling on the white rope to prevent from falling down the cliff. The rain continued. After few minutes, the chill broke through our cotton and latex gloves. Then, I felt like my hands were dipped in ice water. It makes my grip more difficult.

Waterfall on top the mountain?

The rain seemed to last forever. Waters were everywhere. It flowed down from the granite surface, some as big as waterfall. I had to go across it cautiously, not because I was afraid of slipping, but to prevent my sock from getting wet. The RM4.50 rubber shoe did a remarkable job in keeping my feet on the slippery granite surface but not so good in keeping my sock dry.

What a relief when we saw Sayat-Sayat hut. There was no one there, only 4 of us. We took a short break to shelter from the rain and and refresh ourself. We had our remaining energy bar and refill our empty bottle. Doina went to survey the area and decided it is still save to continue. Thank god! I’m not going cut short my trip at the same place again. This time I must make it…

The last few km’s were an easy stroll along the white rope. No need to hold on it anymore. The landscape has changed drastically. There were no plants in sight, only small scrubs with beautiful red flowers. It was all gray colored granite ahead of us.

It still rain mercilessly. I thought we were suppose to be on top of the cloud but it was more like we were inside it. I could hardly see any peaks.

In front of the famous South Peak. However, it is not the highest peak.

Perhaps because lack of tree, the wind was strong up there. Cold water and cold wind made a dreadful combination. It broke me physically. I almost gave up but the sight of Low’s Peak keep me going. Oh yes, the sky was getting clearer.

Now we can see some peaks.

I pushed myself on the last 200m. Launi and Joe were already waiting for me on the peak. Even though I was the slowest among them, but I was glad that I finally put my feet on top of the highest mountain in Malaysia and my heart sang out…

tinggi-tinggi gunung kinabalu
tinggi lagi sayang sama kamu
biru-biru puncak kinabalu
tengok dari jauh hati saya rindu

A dream came true

Click here to view the embedded video.

See the rest of the photo here…

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A Dream (Almost) Came True – Posted on 20 Aug 2006

The idea of standing on top of the highest mountain in South East Asia started playing in my mind 2 years ago. Finally, the chance came on 12th August 2006. Launi, Joe and I planned the trip to Mount Kinabalu when Air Asia gave away 2 million tickets for free early this year. However, only Launi and I went as Joe has unforeseen emergency on that day.

Climbing up the mountain prove to be a tough challenge for a first timer like me. Even though I trained regularly 3 months before the climb, it only prepared me physically. The biggest test is on my very own mind. After enduring cold, strong wind, bad visibility and thin air, I almost gave up. The only thing that kept me going was my strong determination to realize my dream.

Even though I did not reach the summit, but I have learned something. One is, even though you have the ability to go further, do not go against the force of nature. Always be humble and learn to let go so that you will have another opportunity to try again. That was the case happened to us. Total distance to reach the summit is 8.72km. We have covered 7km, only left 1.72km and yet we are forced to stop at Sayat Sayat hut because the ranger did not allow anyone to go further due to really harsh weather (almost freezing, strong wind and thick mist). I insisted to go but was discouraged by all the guides there. After putting some senses into me like, “which one is more important? your life or the summit?” I decided to try again next year. So close and yet so far…

Sometimes destination is not everything. It is the journey that fulfill us. I could have reached the summit if I put my life into risk but what is the point? I couldn’t see a damn thing. Not even my leg.

It may seem tough at first sight, but when you started your first step, there will be a second step and so on until at one point you know you will reach it some how. At times, when you are too tired to go further, just stop and take a rest. Once you have enough rest, continue. Don’t just stop there or worse; go back to where you came from.

So here I am, live to share with you my trip to the “land beneath the wind” on last weekend.

Cost break down:

Flight from PG to KL: RM30
Flight from KL to KK: RM40
Flight from KK to KL: RM40
Flight from KL to PG: RM79.99
1 night stay at Grace Hostel: RM30
1 night stay at Laban Rata Resthouse: RM50
1 night stay at Mandarin Hotel, KK: RM50
Taxi fare from KK airport to bus terminal: (RM20 + RM15)/2
Bus fare from bus terminal to Kinabalu Park: RM10
Bus fare from Kinabalu Park to KK town: RM10 + RM1
Taxi to seafood restaurant and back: (RM5 + RM7)/2
Boat ride to Pulau Gaya: RM34/2
Lunch + other expenses at LCCT: RM50
Dinner at bus terminal: RM10
Face mask and glove: RM10
Mountain guide fee: RM70/2
Climbing permit and premium fee: RM74/2
Bag keeping: RM10
Transport from park reception to Timpohon gate: RM15
Tongkat: RM3
Certificate: RM1
Eating at Laban Rata: RM80
Lunch at park restaurant: RM7.30
Durian + drinks: RM19/2 + RM3
Seafood at Ocean Seafood Village: RM168.30/2
Breakfast: RM6
Kiulu River whitewater rafting: RM140
Souvenirs: RM100
Dinner at LCCT: RM11

Total Expenses: RM993.44

When I almost gave up, I saw this guy overtook us.

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See how my body heat up during the climb.

Click here to view the embedded video.

See the rest of the photo here…

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