Journey to the Highest Peak in Malaysia

It all began with a simple question, "Has anyone been to Mount Kinabalu?" Due to Integriticity's spirit of "come larrr" and "let's go!" very soon we had a list of people going and Mike in-charged of putting every thing together. This trip was planned six months in advance, and truth be told, I wasn't thinking when I got myself into this. Prior to this, I went for training on and off with fellow team members, hikes round Bukit Kiara, up and down Batu Caves steps and also hiking in my own neighbourhood hill. As the date of the trip drew near, I had butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it. I bored Rui and Fong with all my whining about not wanting to go and sorta scared my mom with my dread. Mom actually said if don't want to go don't go la, I'll pay for whatever you've paid. Dank the offer was tempting, but I knew as much as I dreaded this trip, I would have regretted it even more for giving up before it even started.

Day1

Met up with fellow Integricitizens in KLIA and met some new people, namely Mike's friends. From there, we took the plane to Sabah, my first time in East Malaysia. Guess what? It looked exactly like West Malaysia. Heh.

We checked into our lodgings in Kinabalu Park and I was pleasantly surprised to see how equipped the place was. Hot water, toiletries, towels and clean bunk beds. We had a buffet dinner there. I managed to get into the souvenir shop to buy some last minute stuff I didn't prepare ie. beanie and a pair of kampung adidas with excellent grip.

This was the lounge area we had at our lodgings. Nobody could enjoy this place much for we all slept pretty early to prepare for an early day.

The buffet dinner was good! It was good enough to take my mind off the real deal the next day.

Day2

A buffet breakfast was prepared. Everything looked so tempting but I controlled myself and only had three slices of toasts. I have a feeling if I binged, I'd most probably throw up on the mountains.

Before departing, we were briefed by our guide. The mist also cleared for us to get a good look at what we were up against.

When I packed from Penang, I was so prepared to bring everything I had up on my back. Then it so happened that a huge number of us actually planned to hire the porters to bring the stuff up for us. My bag was only 5kg, and I paid RM45 to get it portered. Since it was to be a two-way trip, and it left me light and easy with only my own stamina to concern about, I thought it was a very good deal. I understand my own capabilities and lugging a 5kg bag on my back up a mountain's not it.

There were two ways to go to Laban Rata, the three quarter point where we'll stop to rest before continuing to the summit. One was Timpohon which was a lot of steps but with shorter distance. The one we chose was Mesilau, longer with an extra 2km, supposedly easier coz it has less steps (total bull) and way more scenic than Timpohon. Just prior to starting the hike, it felt a bit like going on a roller coaster. I was definitely afraid of what's in store, yet I know it was the excitement I was looking for.

It was a grand achievement when I first saw the 0.5km mark. And then it hit me, another 7.5km to go. It was not as hard as I thought but it certainly wasn't easy either.

About halfway through it, I became somehow alone in the middle. There were some hard core climbers in front of me going on their merry way and I knew the other half of the group was behind me, pacing themselves.It was a good position to be in. It got a bit lonely walking on my own until I came to appreciate the stillness around me. There were many random strangers that passed me by. It was nice having random conversations with these people, especially the porters. They were amusing in the things they say thus lifting some of the dull off the hike. It was also during this time when I got to enjoy the best apple I've ever eaten.

The best thing about Mesilau trail was this stretch that looked like a hanging garden. Lose your balance and you might just find yourself dropping off either side of the ledge.

The only trouble I had was my loose socks. They kept slipping off my heels which resulted in a blister I had to bear the rest of the way.

It was beautiful when we reached Laban Rata. I was in a position where it's literal when I said I was looking down on clouds. I made pretty good time getting there. It took me eight hours to go through eight kilometres uphill. I was feeling really good about myself and was pumped up about the hike up the summit eight hours later.

Glorious food in Laban Rata. I was very hungry and tired. Any food will seem like it was prepared for a king. Or in my case, queen. Hah!

This picture below was the last I took of Day2, when it was nearer to sunset. I love how the clouds looked pink and cotton-candy-ish. I would love to be able to literally strip those clouds from the sky and pop them into my mouth.

Day3

It was damn freaking cold in our lodgings. Heater and hot water were out. We were all practically frozen in our bunk beds and could hardly sleep a wink. By 1am, we were all getting ready for the next part of the hike, which was to the summit. After breakfast, we began at about 3am or slightly later.

The deal was this: On our way up, there will be a check-point in Sayat-sayat about 1.5km away. Those that arrive later than 5am will not be admitted through the check-point, which means no climbing up the summit. Ideally, we will have to reach by 6am on the summit to catch the sunrise. Pffft.

It was tough for me, the first stretch of this trail. It might be I was already very tired from the hike up to Laban Rata or my stamina's really low when it comes to endless staircase or I ate too much for breakfast, I was left behind. I knew I was last coz the guide was walking behind me all the time. It was pitch dark and there was only light from my torchlight and the guide's headlight. I knew I wasn't making good time yet I still rest a lot to catch my breath and to take sips of water. I didn't fail to notice how beautiful the night sky was. Imagine standing on a very narrow ledge against a mountain's rock surface and when you look out into total darkness, there were millions and millions of stars shining. As I was standing there in awe of my surrounding beauty, I instinctively felt the guide mentally urging me on.

His words of wisdom were, "Biar lambat asalkan cepat." It meant taking small measured steps and short short breaks in between. At one point, I looked at my phone as was shocked to find the time to be 4.38am. According to the guide, I was 250m away from the checkpoint. Dank I got flustered but I refused to get pessimistic thinking I didn't get so far just to miss the stupid check point. It was at this time when the guide showed his superhuman powers. He grabbed hold of my hand and began leading me up the mountain surface. I didn't realise he intended to lead me like this all the way to the checkpoint. With his guidance, I was going along with his pace, taking very small steps but quickly. In the end, I managed to get to the check point in ten minutes, meeting both Lianne and Sonia there.

One hour to get to the summit was impossible. Okay, fine, it's possible, but not for me. The guide once again helped us to get there faster. The guide literally dragged both Lianne and I up to the base of Low's peak, the highest peak on the mountain (irony). He was like an incredibly steady tongkat that we could rely on to move forward. With him, I managed to pace myself better and was forced to go beyond my own limit. When I thought I needed to stop to take a break, he'll keep us moving and that's when I realised I could take more steps than I thought possible.

We didn't make it to the peak before sunrise. But I was able to witness for myself the first light of day and how all the dark silhouettes of the mountain came into view. Though I didn't exactly make it all the way up the summit on my own, I was proud to say I did make it up Low's Peak rocky surface myself. When I was up there on the highest point in Malaysia (by the way, I was the last person to reach the peak, hah!) taking all of nature's wonder in, I thought, dank, I made it. Hee.... I fucking made it!

When we made our way down, everything looked so beautiful in broad day light. It was a wonder how I made it up there, against all those rock surfaces. Heck, how?!

These were the awesome guides that helped us all the way. The one on the left was Joe, the guide who helped me along the way up to the summit. The one on the right was Primus, the guide/porter that I noticed lugged my bag up to Laban Rata for me. Awesome awesome people.

Below's my mandatory cheesy photo on the peak. I don't care. Have to snap a pic! Yea~!!

We made our way down the mountain through Timpohon trail, the one with a lot of staircases-like steps. It was pure torture for my tired muscles. And then it poured. By the end of it all when I finally reached the bottom again, I was tired, sleepy, moody, cold, wet and miserable.

From the highest of high I've sunk to the lowest of low. Not bad for a good day's work.

All in all, our team was really lucky to have made it to the summit on our first try. The weather though unpredictable, was most importantly on our side. All in all, an unforgettable experience.

Day4

Spent time in KK. Lunch at some fancy seafood restaurant. Great food but thoroughly over-priced. Flight back KL. Got ripped off going back to SK on a taxi from Putrajaya bus terminal. Arrived in a quiet lonely house. I couldn't stand from being in a noisy group to suddenly being alone again. Thus I threw everything into my car and made a four hour drive back to Penang on the same night.

Finally, finally I had a good and deep sleep in my own bed till the next morning.

Conclusion

I love the mountains. I will definitely not hesitate to go back for a second climb. But with the same amount of money (about RM1k-ish) I'll have to pay, it'll be a better idea to go somewhere new.

More pictures on my Facebook.