The tales of a Lone Ranger: Mount KInabalu quest 2009

I must complete my summary on Mt Kinabalu trip before the pain at my hips and knee were gone.. I will tell my story with lots and lots of photo, so be patient if your line is slow :D

The begining

I was a frequent traveller between Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan in year 2007 and 2008. Travelling in the bus which zigzaged the mountainous road between east and west Sabah often left me feeling nauseating and exhausted. HOwever, i was rewarded with the breathtaking view of Mt KK getting closer and closer, standing majestically outside the bus window. I often anticipated the brief stop at pekan Nabalu where i can "smell" Mt KK in such a near distance...

In May 2008, we rented a car to Kinabalu park-Timpohon Gate, i am utterly shocked by this piece of beauty in front me. I promised i will return to Conquer the mountain very soon!

First day at high altitude

The target was realised when Bao Shu invited me to join the group. Many from the group shared the same tertiary background of former UTM students. I joined the group without knowing anyone but soon enough i found that i was among those chatting and joking on the way to Kundasang.

We planned to climb Mt kk on 25th April09. All the 33 avid climbers arrive at Kundasang on 24th April. We visited Kundasang War Memorial and Desa dairy farm. It's a light ice breaking session for all of us before we started our climb the next day. We truly enjoyed the cool environment at 2000 feet above sea level.

Group photo in Kundasang War Memorial!
Here is the solemn and relaxing view of Kundasang dairy farm. Its on the way to Mesilau trail. How to locate the place?
SMELL.
The strong cow dunk smell indicates that the farm is just ahead..

I luv da dairy farm with cow chewing grass in the field..

I felt that i had became an Aussie

That night at kundasang really chills.Temperature Should be around 15C.

The Climb

We wake up at 6:30am, packed the belongings to bring up Mt KK, settled in for simple breakfast in front of Kinabalu Park and set off to Mesilau trail.

Mt. Kinabalu is Malaysia first world heritage. Kinabalu park is established in 1964.This botanical paradise is blessed with astonishing variety of flora and fauna ranges over 4 climates zones! From the lowland forest to mountain oak, coniferous forests to alpine meadow plants finally stunted bushes at summit zone. A feeling of going through 4 seasons in a day!

Two Trails lead to the top, the Summit Trail(timpohon gate) and Mesilau RouteThe Mesilau Route to the Summit starts from Mesilau Resort and leads to Layang-Layang (Carson's Camp)Mesilau route initially used by scientists and researchers as it takes longer(5-6 hoursto reach Layang-Layang, as compared to 2-3 hours from the Timpohon Gate)Total distance to Layang-Layang is 5.7km by Mesilau trail which is extra 2 km compared to the summit trail from timpohon gate!

We arrived at the Mesilau Gate at 8:30am.To lighthen our burden to the summit, tourist will normally hire local portal or guide cum portal to carry up their laguage.

The rate is about RM9 per KG.

11KG excluding MEAL and water weighing 2KG!!!

Before the climb, i told myself i must accomplish the climb including carrying the whole backpack up myself bearing the risk of exhaustion/dehydration.A few friends also advised me to hire the portal since the Mesilau trailis the tougher trail and this is our first time up My kk.Besides we may need energy for via Ferata the next day!

I had been training for past weeks exceeding the normal jogging routine to make sure the few KG won't brought me down!
Finally, i decided to Do It Myself

I can sense the excitement of not knowing whether i will survive with the 13kg behind my back?It's cool..

GROUP photo at Messilau set off point before our climb

"I SET MY TARGET" I will conquer LOW's PEAK"

The journey begun right after a briefing given by our tour guides. Initially the group of 3 members were divided into 3 groups, but we just moved up in a whole group. Gradually the slower will lag behind and the faster one will continue on their own... KM0.5, Posing

The begining of the first 500 metres were never ending steps which i can feel the strain to my legs and blood was not given enought time to reach my brainAfter the first km, the distance between the fast pacer is out of view by the following members.After 1km, I found my pace with a group of 3. consisting of ai tee, hsiao ling, Ting Hui.

With one of our GUIDE cum porter. SEE HOW MUCH HE CARRIES!

The plants and wildlife here is exotic and you get a chance to view mt kk from various angle!My feeling at that moment: tired, yet enjoy! WHY?

First, There is a big wow almost every KM. My camera is always in my hand...2nd, moving in with friends motivated you to go non stop!3rd, CLimbers knew that the sticky, drenching sweaty feel is not a nice one, but here the cool breeze and dry wind absorbed the sweaty feel!
So let the photo tells the story:

Drinking "Mineral" water from the mountain!

PITCHER PLANT

1:21pm : Wer having our lunch pack. We was at the pondok KM4.5the meal was really delicious as i was so hungry that i can ate a cow at that time

After the meal, tragedy strikes!

I was taking photo around the nice scenery. So i told the members to go ahead first as i could easily chased them from behind.I could still remeber at KM5, the breathtaking picturesque scenery came in and my camera clicked non stop!I was alone at that moment.Suddenly my left leg felt tight, i knew it was coming. Next minute, i was down, i felt the intense pain caused my left leg cramp.I still continued to walk as i didn't want to be left out alone too far. After around 10 steps, my right leg was having cramp.I was totally devastated and had to stay down.I Shouted in vain for around 3mins.i knew only the tigers could hear my scream now. So i began dragging myself like a handicapped person.

"Focus on the road ahead, and u will forget that cramp" I continued moving..

I was very sure that i had stamina and strenght to walk,it was my legs muscle forbade me to go on! IN a few metres of drag, i was back to normal walking again.

I am writing this experience as i truly felt helpless and alone and scared and abandoned.I am panicked. Actually it is not so serious but at that moment when all negative thought came in! The experience which last for 20 minutes gave me a feel of panic that i seldom encountered. I knew this feeling is what i must learn to overcome if i ever faced it in future.
After Layang-layang intersection, i began to sprint. I had signed up for the via ferata and we must reached before 4pm for the via_ferata training.Meantime, the environment changes dramatically. It is like you walked into another world. Trees and plant become stunted, leaves becoming smaller and scarce,Getting cold, really cold , I must wore my sweater.

4:30pm : I reached Laban Rata

The long-awaited LABAN RATA resthouse finally came into my view

Rith is the first member in our group to reach LABAN RATA.

He was 2 hours ahead of me!

It was only a pitiful 10C even the sun is shinning brightly in the afternoon

5pm : Dinner served

6pm: I stayed at gunting lagadan chalet. Bathed, drank hot beverages, chatting. We anticipated for the summit the next morning.Meanwhile, our breath got heavier as the oxygen level is lesser and pressure is low.

8pm. slept.

2am woke up breakpast/supper

Very cold, Self-service for the cup of HOT Sabah TEA

3am scaling the peak Brother, Fully equipped for the final climb!

I promised my team member Miss J to helped her to the peak. We had frequent stop to rest. This is due to low pressure.We were late due to frequent stop and I began to feel high altitude disease at the same time.I knew i had to entrusted her to an experience mountain guide to carry her things at the same time. I felt so bad leaving her to some "stranger" but that was the point that i had to be rational. In such situation, either i attempt to scale the peak alone or we both turned back in the next hour!

Saying tenth of sorry in my hard, i ran up without turning back my head afraid that i might be reluctant to stick to my initial decision ! After leaving her, i sprinted up really fast. That was the worse decision which nearly KILLED me! This is because the air is very cold,thin and i used my mouth to breath in HUGE volume of cold air while running.

Suddenly Tragedy striked. I was vommiting and coughing non-stop with my face turned pale. A kind-hearted guide passed by asked me to turn back before i was too far. I rested for 3 mins, praying very hard.I had came for a long way here, i was almost there and there is no way for me to give up here. I knew the risk of ended up being "carried" down MT KK. But i trusted my training for past 3 months is sufficient for me to get to the peak. Next thing, pray sincerely, concentrating on praying..

MY breath get smoother soon enough after praying hard. After this, everything got smooth on my way to the peak

The Scaling of the peak.

This is a true climb of Mount KK from LABAN RATA. There are ropes and rails to help you over steep slopes and terrfying edges. I started to feel the trill, the "kick" of hanging on ropes watching the dots of light from LABAN RATA hundred metres below(not for the faint-hearted). COOL!
After Sayat-sayat hut(3668m),the highest shelter for park use only,i walked on bare granite slabs that stretched endlessly. I am walking on my determination to conquer the peak. I walked at a rhythmic pace, 20 steps + 30second rest, focusing on nothing except the trail ahead. the guide said "if you look up the number of stairs that you are going to go up, you will never make it" It sound like a SINGLE thought of "I gave up" will break your determination down entirely.

Here where i catched up with other members who rested in exhaustion. They could hardly smile when i greeted hello+Lets go now!

5:55am, the first ray of sunshine came in and i stop for a picture. I was near to low's peak.Again, my final dash.

6:15am: I was standing proudly at LOW's Peak at 6:15am. Highest peak in South east Asia!I had make it!

Thankful for the guardian of MT Kinabalu Datuk Lagadan for protecting me all the way and a safe journey to the summit!

Let see the scenery around me. I can feel your leg becoming jelly after you see how steep is the summit trail that we had gone before.Enjoy the photo below!