ESL Blogs

Many of you that may know me in here (EC Chat Room) know that the most strenuous exercises that I do are chewing my food and blinking my eyes. I am not an outdoor person. I would rather read books or just sleeping than walking in the park under the hot burning sun. 

So I was surprised even myself when a group of my friends invited me to join them climbing the Mount Kinabalu in Sabah and I said a BIG YES. It happened in 2007. I know.... I know ... you are going to say "But Noas, that was centuries ago". But it was really a momentous decision for me. I never try such activity before.

Before I jump and tell you guys about my experience (well, more like crawling than jumping), let me tell you a little bit about Mount Kinabalu and why I said it was a momentous decision for me.

Mount Kinabalu is located in the Sabah - East Malaysia or Borneo. At the last measurement, its elevation at the highest point which is Low's Peak is 4,095 meters or 13,435 feet (it was believed that the mountain is alive and getting higher every year). It is the 20th most prominent mountain in the world and the first recorded ascent was in 1858 by Hugh Low and Spencer St John. 

So as you can see, it is indeed a very high mountain, and for me who never even climb an ant hill before, it was really a crazy decision to make.

However, after making such decision, I know I need to do some preparation for such climb. My face became a permanent feature in the gym. I did various exercises of which to my "such expert" study gathered from various articles and sources would help me for such arduous climb. For the next four months, I did more exercises than I ever did for my whole life. And I thought to myself that I was so ready to face anything. "Bring It On" I said so to myself.

On the first day, after about three hours flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu, our group went to Timpohon Gate at the Kinabalu Park. We slept in one of the hostels there. The next morning we had to register with the Park's Office and were given number of which we need to keep and re-register after our descent. At the registration we met our mountain guides and porters.

My porter was an older lady and I was a bit reluctant to give her my small bag for her to carry. In the bag were some clean clothes, fresh socks, gloves, torch light and some food. I only carried a bottle of water and some chocolates for the first part of the climb. Our mountain guides advised us to buy a wood stick for our climb of which can help us in certain parts of the climb.

After such formalities, we started our trek. I was as happy as a lark. The climb was such a breeze, or so I thought. It started with a downhill through the rain forest. I really enjoyed the smell of such freshness of the jungle, the sounds of various birds and insects. Every few meters, there would be a sign that indicated the progress of everyone.

Little by little, I noticed that I was lagging behind some of my friends. My breath was getting heavier, though, I do not feel any tiredness in terms of my leg. My guy partner, we were advised to climb with at least one partner, kept on encouraging and motivating me. He matched his steps with my small steps. It seemed I was having high-altitude difficulty in breathing. By this time, the dense rain forest had turned into wind-driven alpine terrain and vegetation. My bottle of water and chocolate seemed to be such a heavy burden.

Ad mist all these, I saw few porters with various things such as building materials, gas tank, vegetables and such climbed through the trek with such an ease. Thank God there are a few resting places about a few kilometers along the trek. Even though the climb was hard due to the high altitude, I still can appreciate the flora and fauna found along the way. The changes of scenery from dense Tropical rain forest to alpine vegetation were really awesome.

After roughly about three and half hours climb, finally my guy partner and I reached Laban Rata. This is the base camp before we ascent for the final part of the climb. At Laban Rata we just relaxed and enjoying the view. Our mountain guides informed us that we will start our final ascent for roughly 8 km to the peak at about 1.30 am. Now I know why we need the torch light. We were advised to sleep early and be ready on 1.00 am. After all those hard climb, I do not need to be dragged to the bed.

After some briefing and advised by our mountain guides, at roughly 2.00 am, with the cold and dark night, we started our second phase of the climb. The final 8 km or more, are all granite terrain. There is no more vegetation in sight. The climb was done slowly and silently. Once in a while our guides will made a round and asked everyone on our conditions. We followed a white rope which was anchored to the granite which acted as a trail "bread crumbs" marker as well as to be used when we need some support to ascent.

The ascent was really rough not only because it was pitch black, but it was drizzling at some part of the mountain which made the granite a little bit slippery. At about 200 more of less meters, some of our members decided not continue on due to shortness of breath. I was determined to make it to the top, no matter what. Finally, at about 6.00 am, I reached the highest point; Low's Peak. I made it. I cannot describe how I felt at that moment. Looking at the yonder, I can see lights twinkling from as far as Kota Kinabalu which was about 90 km away. 

The morning was a bit foggy due to the drizzle. My teeth was chattering, but I felt so humbled but at the same time proud because I never thought I can accomplished such feat. The feelings were indescribable. However, I cannot stay too long at the top due to the small space and every climbers wanted to be on that top. 

After some time, we started slowly for our descent. Even though now it was very bright, the descent was more difficult due to steep inclination which made it more slippery. But, as before, our mountain guides will walked back and forth to ask everyone's conditions and made sure we were okay.

After reaching Laban Rata and checking out from our dorms, we had our lunch in the restaurant there and take some little break before our final descent. After lunch, finally we made our descent. Though the ascent to the top was hard, the descent was harder especially with the constant drizzle. I had to watch every steps I made because a small mistakes may resulted in a disaster and may left your face permanently etched on the steps of Mount Kinabalu. 

I must admit that I was one of the last members of my group. There were a few more girls behind me, so I do not feel so helpless. By this time, I asked my guy partner to go ahead and leave me. I just want to feel my miseries on my own. He left when he was assured by one of the mountain guides that he will make sure I will be okay since they were a few more of us at the back of the pack. 

By this time, I told the guide, please.. please ... I do not ever want to climb the mountain again. He tried to cheer me up with various tales, but I think by that time, I was mute and dumb. I just want to roll down the mountain. At one of the resting hut, he asked me to stop and let him put some bandages on my knees as support. It helped a little. After that, we started again with our small steps, well my small steps, of the descent. Sometimes he would hold my hand to ensure my steps were firmed at some of the treacherous steps and terrain. I was really grateful for that support.

Finally, I saw the gate of the Kinabalu Park. I was so relieved at that moment, I think I can even jump of joy. The few meters back to the Kinabalu Park Office was a breeze. Well not that as breezy as normal, but comparing to the crawls that I had gone through, the walk was breezy.

After registering and giving back my number the Park Duty Officer, it marked the end of my adventure. In the evening, we were back in Kota Kinabalu and stay an over night in a hotel there. Our flight back to Kuala Lumpur would be in the evening of next day. Some of us went for massage, but I was advised not to have it as not to exaggerate my muscle pain. In the morning, I was aching all over and at places that I never thought I had before. But my friends and I were determined to spend our last day in Kota Kinabalu by enjoying the City and eating its famous seafood. By this time, most of us were walking like a penguin. We waddled rather than walked. And most of us were still using the wood stick as support. 

The local people seemed so used to watch people waddled into their shops with sticks that their greetings would be "Bila turun - or when did you descent?". During our lunch, most of us said that this was to be our first and last climb of the Mount Kinabalu. I was one of them. I do not think I can endure those descent and pain again.

I waddled for about a week after my climb even after a good massage. I thought I was really prepared for pain and every thing. But, I was not. The mantra during that period was; "No more, no more".

However, looking back at that experience, and knowing what I know now, some of my friends were talking of trying to climb it one more time. And, yes, surprisingly, I said, YES, if any of them want to try it again, I want to join. Though the plan is yet to be drawn, I am not surprise if in the near future, once again I will be on top of Mountain Kinabalu.