Mount Kinabalu 29-11-2010

This is my second climb to  Mount Kinabalu. See here the climb I did last year.

Before I started the climb to Mount Kinabalu, I stayed overnight in Kampong Kibbas, Ranau with a good friend of mine Emit Mandadi.

Next day after breakfast, gathered my bag together with my friend Emit drove to the base of the Mount Kinabalu and arrived at Timpohon Gate at around 8.30am where we actually started our climb together with my guide Biling Bin Sanan a very nice Dusun gentleman.

When I reached about 3Km stopped at the “Pondok Mempening” hut and ate my packed lunch as it was almost noon. Couldn’t finish the packed lunch but I manage to feed the balance food to the many squirrels which were so friendly and one even came up to my hands and got its share of food. It was a nice feeling. The lunch pack consisted of 1 fried chicken, a few sets of sandwiches and 2 boiled eggs.

Reached Laban Rata Km6 by 1pm. It was cold and misty and it started to rain. My accommodation was in Gunting Lagadan.

There was no hot shower in Gunting Lagadan and boy it was really cold taking shower in the evening before dinner at Laban Rata. By 9.30pm I was aready tucking myself into the bunk as had to be up by 1.30am the next day for the remaining 3km to Low’s Peak.

My aim now was to get to Low’s Peak and back to Laban Rata for breakfast and then back to the base of Mount Kinabalu (Timpohan Gate) on the very same day.

So did I make it????

HELL YES!!!! *grin* Yes, I made it again to the Rooftop Of South East Asia, the summit, Low’s Peak 13345 feet above sea, at exactly 5.12 am on the 29th of November 2010. Exactly 1 year 1 month from my previous climb.

What an INCREDIBLE experience, just like the last time…so much emotions, but, was a little confuse this time, don’t know why. So much things was going on in my mind.

Anyway, slowly made my way up, right to the Peak. It certainly was NOT an easy climb compared with the climb I made last year as it was raining all the way. Gripping on to the wet rope in the dark was quite a challange! It was only on my descent that I realised just how far I could have fallen if I had slipped. Additionally, the rain did not make my descent any easier as the rocks were darn slippery and I really had to watch my footing and balance.

My mountain guide Billing was such a great chap and a great motivator always telling me ‘dekat sudah bah’. These mountain guides really know their way on the mountain and know exactly where to step for an easier climb.

My verdict this time? Mount Kinabalu isn’t there to be conquered. If anything, she is there to be respected. The climb wasn’t just all physical. In fact, it was more mental than anything. My climb showed me that hey, anything is possible if I just put my mind to it.

Mount Kinabalu –ah! anything more beautiful, taking it altogether, I have never seen and I say this the 2nd time. There could only be one such mountain in the world, and as a landmark it is priceless. I knew that I could not mistake that and this is from my HEART.

In conclusion… INCREDIBLE, FANTASTIC, MAGIC… and hard but manageable, just like the first climb.

Strange, just like the last time, even after 3 days my heart is still calling for the mountain! It’s an energy of many dimensions and I confirm it again.

I  really appreciate now the great work Sabah Parks is putting in to keep this priceless mountain as it is. Well done Sabah Parks! Thanks to Thomas Yussof my friend from Sabah Parks.

And one last word…”Please don’t allow others to hijack Mount Kinabalu as it truly belongs to the DUSUNS!”