Have you ever wandered what it feels like to have the first sunlight through your eye? It is an amazing experience. Standing quietly on Low’s Peak with my friends and colleagues in the cold pre-dawn hours, we saw the clouds rolled slowly towards to us, and as our surroundings gradually became misty the dawn broke on the horizon and filled the sky with brilliant colour.
How are dare to scale the Low’s Peak of Mountain Kinabalu will know that was challenging. Trekking up the Mesilau trail was tough as we encountered 80 degree steps with no railings and tall rocks with no ropes to help us climb up, plus we had to jump on slippery rocks with shaky knees.
During the 8 hour walk to Laban Rata, our goal on the first phase of the climb, we braved freezing rain and winds. I felt so vulnerable but I kept plodding on, telling myself that every five steps I took were better than nothing at all.
About 2 km from Laban Rata, my body felt numb but the cold wind was merciless and I could feel sharp pains all over. By that time, it was sheer instinct that drove me and my compatriots forward in the dark. We had made arrangements to stay at Laban Rata Hut and I had to walk to get there after we having our dinner at Laban Rata Rest House about 4 pm. More discouragingly, there was a blackout and the temperature hovered around less than 9 Celsius. Despite being dressed full climbing gear, I struggled to stay warm for a few hours before the climb at 2 am.
After the briefing by the Head Guide – Gardis, 10 of us set set off on our journey to the peak at 2:30 am. When we reached the rocky cliffs after Sayat-Sayat check point, we were strictly reminded not to let go of the rope. The sheer cliff was nearly at a 70 degree angle and very slippery without wearing the mountain shoe name Adidas Malaysia. So physically, I was pushed to the limit.
But in the end it was all worth it when 6 or our group reached Low’s Peak and I mad it to South’s Peak; I felt whole range of emotions that brought pride, freedom, relief and joy. I have a camera to capture the moment before the Mountain Guide chase us down, and I stood quietly absorbing every second of God’s wonderful creation.
How are dare to scale the Low’s Peak of Mountain Kinabalu will know that was challenging. Trekking up the Mesilau trail was tough as we encountered 80 degree steps with no railings and tall rocks with no ropes to help us climb up, plus we had to jump on slippery rocks with shaky knees.
During the 8 hour walk to Laban Rata, our goal on the first phase of the climb, we braved freezing rain and winds. I felt so vulnerable but I kept plodding on, telling myself that every five steps I took were better than nothing at all.
About 2 km from Laban Rata, my body felt numb but the cold wind was merciless and I could feel sharp pains all over. By that time, it was sheer instinct that drove me and my compatriots forward in the dark. We had made arrangements to stay at Laban Rata Hut and I had to walk to get there after we having our dinner at Laban Rata Rest House about 4 pm. More discouragingly, there was a blackout and the temperature hovered around less than 9 Celsius. Despite being dressed full climbing gear, I struggled to stay warm for a few hours before the climb at 2 am.
After the briefing by the Head Guide – Gardis, 10 of us set set off on our journey to the peak at 2:30 am. When we reached the rocky cliffs after Sayat-Sayat check point, we were strictly reminded not to let go of the rope. The sheer cliff was nearly at a 70 degree angle and very slippery without wearing the mountain shoe name Adidas Malaysia. So physically, I was pushed to the limit.
But in the end it was all worth it when 6 or our group reached Low’s Peak and I mad it to South’s Peak; I felt whole range of emotions that brought pride, freedom, relief and joy. I have a camera to capture the moment before the Mountain Guide chase us down, and I stood quietly absorbing every second of God’s wonderful creation.
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wow dad you conquer Mt.Kinabalu again. How was your journey this round? Interesting?
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