Mt. Kota Kinabalu is the Highest in SouthEast Asia, at 4095.2 MAL. Located in Sabah Malaysia.
iv heard of this mountain from a couple of friends who were able to Summit it, but like any other story iv heard, nothin would be as good enough if its not coming from my own mouth. so i decided to Experience it myself & now i am tellin you My Story...
like what i am used to when Hiking in my MotherLand, i decided to book tickets, get accommodations, pack my Trekking Gears & decided to Challenge myself by taking the more difficult trail up to this Mountain : Mesilau-Timpohon Traverse.
me & my Hiking Buddy Started Trekking from the JumpOff at around past 8:30am just after taking a light breakfast. last night wasnt bad, had a pretty much good sleep despite the fact that i got to wake up a couple of times to pee & its Cold!
This is my first time Hiking w/ only a friend to accompany me, i usually Hike w/ a Group of at least more than 5. to think that im in a foreign land is a lil bit out of my comfort zone but w/ the desire to get my *ss up over there, i couldnt even care less anymore.
the Trail was just like any other Trail iv hiked, or maybe im so used to climbing, everythin seems so natural to me already. mind you, i hafta do training climbs prior to this one or else its somethin u call Suicide!
the trail is a mixture of uphill & downhill slopes, not too inclined but the stairs, the Stoney Path & a Drizzle of Rain that started around 12nn are what makes it difficult.
despite these factors w/c are to be expected in the Outdoors, i enjoyed every single bit of Living Creature that greeted me up there, Nature alone is such a Wonder, seeing beautiful flowers are a Bonus, including the Pitcher Plant w/c are very rare.
after 7hrs of walking & conquering the hardest 6km trek of my life we finally arrived at LabanRata (3:29pm) where we will be spending the night. as i stepped foot inside the Inn, i was happy gettin there before the sun comes down & i was thinkin of eatin, gettin a shower then a good night sleep but only to find out il be welcomed by the place w/ a Freakin Altitude Sickness! i got the worst Migraine i could ever imagine. i was wet from sweat & rain, tired, sore & miserable. i wasnt able to bathe, eat dinner & it just Sucks! Thank Good for 4 Dosages of pain killers in 2 variants, the pain eventually left me alone.
the rain was gettin heavier. as i changed into dry, comfy clothes, ate a spoonful, eyes drowsing slowly, hoping tomorrow wont be worse.
i dint come here, spend as much as i can for nothin, i wanna be able to get up there. as i closed my eyes shut & bid goodnight to Borneo, i was Hopeful...
the trail is a mixture of uphill & downhill slopes, not too inclined but the stairs, the Stoney Path & a Drizzle of Rain that started around 12nn are what makes it difficult.
despite these factors w/c are to be expected in the Outdoors, i enjoyed every single bit of Living Creature that greeted me up there, Nature alone is such a Wonder, seeing beautiful flowers are a Bonus, including the Pitcher Plant w/c are very rare.
after 7hrs of walking & conquering the hardest 6km trek of my life we finally arrived at LabanRata (3:29pm) where we will be spending the night. as i stepped foot inside the Inn, i was happy gettin there before the sun comes down & i was thinkin of eatin, gettin a shower then a good night sleep but only to find out il be welcomed by the place w/ a Freakin Altitude Sickness! i got the worst Migraine i could ever imagine. i was wet from sweat & rain, tired, sore & miserable. i wasnt able to bathe, eat dinner & it just Sucks! Thank Good for 4 Dosages of pain killers in 2 variants, the pain eventually left me alone.
the rain was gettin heavier. as i changed into dry, comfy clothes, ate a spoonful, eyes drowsing slowly, hoping tomorrow wont be worse.
i dint come here, spend as much as i can for nothin, i wanna be able to get up there. as i closed my eyes shut & bid goodnight to Borneo, i was Hopeful...
woke up at 2am to start another 2km uphill climb. a single Bread w/ Strawberry Jam down my throat, with very little food inside my stomach and a headlamp to give me light, we started the Qwest for the Summit.
no headaches bugging me, i was relieved.
no headaches bugging me, i was relieved.
it was more difficult climbing an uphill flat cemented trail, w/ only a rope to hold on to & my eyes bein the weirdest that they are, is givin me a hard time seein despite my headlamp. thoughts of dying lingered my thoughts but i know better than this, conquered fear & went straight on. i cant give up now, im just too close to my goal. Quitting had never been an option.
bein w/ a company of friends i met there had been a relief as it feels really good bein around people w/ the same Passion as i do. they made the journey enjoyable without us realizing...
we're there! we made it before SunSet!
we're there! we made it before SunSet!
this is it? i Made it!
the first smile i had on my face for that day was after seein the sun rise. i am really here. away from home, in a different country & on top of the world!
the first smile i had on my face for that day was after seein the sun rise. i am really here. away from home, in a different country & on top of the world!
i hiked down very Happy, Proud & Chillaxed. it still hasnt sinked in that i was able to Hike the Highest Mountain in SouthEast Asia. i felt Privileged, Honored & Speechless. im still overwhelmed by the fact that i just proved somethin & achieved somethin for myself personally.
this has gotta be one of the most memorable things that happened in my 26yrs of existence on the face of this earth.
it wont be possible w/o My Parents, whose been very supportive eversince. i am grateful & i feel lucky to have a wonderful father & an equally awesome mother!
3ms, for bein a great hiking buddy. we've been through a whole lot & it wasnt easy to be where we are after all. i am Proud of You & lets do this again!
Tristan who helped me organize everythin overseas.
Kuya Joel for takin care of us in the City, i owe u tons!
Andy who's been such an Amazing Guide *pound!* ur the Best Bro! See U at the Summit!
Boyet who's been a wonderful mentor & who is the very reason iv been goin thru all of this Hell & Im addictedly Lovin it!
to all my friends who's been w/ me durin my Training Hikes, including all the Mountaineers in the World!
such a great adventure to be in the Summer of 2010! CHEERS! \m/
