Mount Kinabalu Climb
Sunday, 10 July 2016
My last climb was 20+ years ago. Yes, long time ago. The reason why I wanted to scale the mountain again is because I want to challenge myself if I can do it again. Reminisce the route one more time. So, here we go:
8 July:
We started our journey from Penampang at 6am and reached Kinabalu Park around 7.30am. Registered my group and 2 guides assigned to us, Johnny & Joseph. Porters sorted and off we go to Timpohon gate.
With Jane & her daughter Nadia Izzabel
Briefing by one of the guides (malim gunung), Encik Johnny
Group picture by Trinna
Have a safe journey
My number
Off we go at 9.00am from Timpohon gate
Arrived at Laban Rata approximately 6hours plus
My good friend Jane Bingthau
Group picture
Left to right: Nadia Izzabel, Alvinah Yvonne, moi, Jane Bingthau, Raimin Santong, Kolewitah, Berry Michael, Trinna Joyce & Smith Ationg
We had dinner at 4.30pm and slept early (after tossing and turning so many times). Woke up before midnight and prepped for our early morning climb to the peak.
9 July:
I put on 3 layers of clothings, buff for my hair and buff for my neck plus a jacket. We had our supper at 2am and started to make our way up at 2.50am.
The restaurant
The temperature
It was very windy and cold. And of course the neverending stairs to climb and wait till you get to the rocky area where you have to hold and pull yourself up. I had altitude sickness and my dear friend Jane Bingthau handed me one pill to ease the sickness. When we reached Sayat-Sayat Checkpoint (7km), we registered ourselves. Half way to 8km, I wanted to give up. Literally, I dropped myself on the ground exhausted. Shortness of breathe, strong wind, coldness to the bones (despite layers of clothings) and altitude sickness. But seeing mother daughter team and firstimers (Jane and her daughter Ebel) pushing themselves on the rope gave me instant boost to continue. Our wonderful guide Joseph gave me words of encouragement and lifted my spirits to continue. So I got up and put my two hands on the rope and pulled myself up towards Jane and Ebel. But Ebel was also wanted to give up. Jane and I pushed her to continue. I can see Ebel forced herself to push herself (good job Ebel) and with Jane's constant motivational words "pelan-pelan Bel", "ok k rehat dulu", etc. Love of a mother (that's you Jane!).
We managed to reach the KM8 and its another 700m up! It was freezing! Told Jane and Ebel we are almost at the peak as South Peak and Donkey Ear are visible that time. We need to reach the Lows Peak by 7am and the struggles we went through could not be described in words. We kept on encouraging ourselves we hafta to reach the peak no matter what. We are almost there anyhow! And yes we did! All three of us were tearing. We freaking did it!
We did it!!!
Our other team members descended earlier as the mist was thick and no way you could take good pictures.
Our guide advised us to make our way down as rain might pour. Descending was fast. Along the way, we saw the devastating earthquake aftermath. I silently prayed for all the victims. May their souls rest in peace. We reached Laban Rata before 10am.
We took our breakfast and started packing. We took some group pictures and headed down at 11am. I reached Timpohon nearly 3pm. Last PRG member arrived at 4pm.
Just arrived at Timpohon
We made our way to Blassam Restaurant to have our late lunch. Our driver gave us our certs.
We made our way down from Kundasang at 4.45pm and arrived KK at 6.30pm.
Congrats to all climbers!
posted @ 9:19 am,
1 Comments:
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At 21 July 2016 at 11:35,
TaQuiLa said...
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yeay, dapat sijil color!
sa pun mo scale satu kali lagi if time permit :))
ba, update my new blog link ah
sheilaishere.blogspot.com
