In Preparation
Standing at 4095 meters above sea level, it was filled with challenges and beauty. Many people have ascended the mountain, some to enjoy the scenery, others to fulfill the thirst of the challenge. Everyone however, share a common story, it was well worth it.
At the beginning of preparing for the great challenge, I started to understand the mountain and the challenges and rewards that come hand in hand with it.
Starting with the trail, there are two gates to start hiking from, Timpohon Gate which was about 6 kilometers and Masilau Gate that was 8 kilometers up to the rest point known as Laban Rata. We decided to take the latter as it was said to have the best sceneries going up. We later found out both the trail and the view was in fact really breath taking. The hike to the cross junction of Layang Layang from Masilau Gate will take about five to six hours of hiking whereas it will just take 2 to 3 hours from Timpohon Gate.
The altitude was next in line. I was in Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yu Long Xue San) in LiQiang, China back in December 2006 where I experienced for the first time what it was like in an open mountain with thin oxygen. That was at the altitude of 5596 meters above sea level. We were equipped with oxygen cans to refrain from getting dizzy from the thin air.
The temperature poses its own challenge. It was recoded that the temperature was down to five degrees Celsius at the peak.
Having to stay at the resting shelter, we needed to carry a good supply of food and clothing. The back pack could easily weigh up to 10kgs.
Standing at 4095 meters above sea level, it was filled with challenges and beauty. Many people have ascended the mountain, some to enjoy the scenery, others to fulfill the thirst of the challenge. Everyone however, share a common story, it was well worth it.
At the beginning of preparing for the great challenge, I started to understand the mountain and the challenges and rewards that come hand in hand with it.
Starting with the trail, there are two gates to start hiking from, Timpohon Gate which was about 6 kilometers and Masilau Gate that was 8 kilometers up to the rest point known as Laban Rata. We decided to take the latter as it was said to have the best sceneries going up. We later found out both the trail and the view was in fact really breath taking. The hike to the cross junction of Layang Layang from Masilau Gate will take about five to six hours of hiking whereas it will just take 2 to 3 hours from Timpohon Gate.
The altitude was next in line. I was in Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yu Long Xue San) in LiQiang, China back in December 2006 where I experienced for the first time what it was like in an open mountain with thin oxygen. That was at the altitude of 5596 meters above sea level. We were equipped with oxygen cans to refrain from getting dizzy from the thin air.
The temperature poses its own challenge. It was recoded that the temperature was down to five degrees Celsius at the peak.
Having to stay at the resting shelter, we needed to carry a good supply of food and clothing. The back pack could easily weigh up to 10kgs.
To Kota Kinabalu
A two and a half hours plane ride from Penang starting from 10 am, across peninsular Malaysia and the South China Sea, we have finally reached the beautiful coast of Sabah. Long beaches and beautiful scenery it was a perfect holiday getaway.
Having stayed up all night to pack, I was ready to get my body and mind rested enough for the hike. But that wasn’t the case as I am generally left with what I have packed on the way up the mountain, at least up to the rest stop at Laban Rata, So again I had to stay up again to make sure I have everything I need stuffed in my bag ensuring I can get access to what I need easily.
The Morning of the Hike
Having slept at about 1am, I was woken up by a morning call from the hotel at 4.30 am. Still groggy, I cleaned up, made a last minute check on the gear and supplies, and off I went for a good hearty breakfast at the hotel. Everyone’s spirit was up and excited about the upcoming challenges the majestic mountain has to offer.
By 6am, we were all on the bus for a 2 hour ride to the Kinabalu Park Headquarters. Along the way we were greeted by fantastic view from the edges of the winding roads. Mist covered forest at the bottom and soon after, the sight of the much anticipated mountain that we have all come to leave our footsteps on was uncovered. A brief stop at a local outlet allows us to grasp the significance of the challenge we will be facing just ahead of us.
At the park Headquarters, we met with our Mountain Guide, Supin and Porters, Sarumi and Justina. I really admire their strength and ability to carry bags up to 10kg at a time. They were only approximately 5 feet tall and it was a very heavy load even for a 5 feet 11 inched guy like me. Of course, my backpack wasn’t exactly light as well. It was almost 11kgs. Supin is a very jovial and motivating mountain guide. He could joke and also encourage us along the way.
A two and a half hours plane ride from Penang starting from 10 am, across peninsular Malaysia and the South China Sea, we have finally reached the beautiful coast of Sabah. Long beaches and beautiful scenery it was a perfect holiday getaway.
Having stayed up all night to pack, I was ready to get my body and mind rested enough for the hike. But that wasn’t the case as I am generally left with what I have packed on the way up the mountain, at least up to the rest stop at Laban Rata, So again I had to stay up again to make sure I have everything I need stuffed in my bag ensuring I can get access to what I need easily.
The Morning of the Hike
Having slept at about 1am, I was woken up by a morning call from the hotel at 4.30 am. Still groggy, I cleaned up, made a last minute check on the gear and supplies, and off I went for a good hearty breakfast at the hotel. Everyone’s spirit was up and excited about the upcoming challenges the majestic mountain has to offer.
By 6am, we were all on the bus for a 2 hour ride to the Kinabalu Park Headquarters. Along the way we were greeted by fantastic view from the edges of the winding roads. Mist covered forest at the bottom and soon after, the sight of the much anticipated mountain that we have all come to leave our footsteps on was uncovered. A brief stop at a local outlet allows us to grasp the significance of the challenge we will be facing just ahead of us.
At the park Headquarters, we met with our Mountain Guide, Supin and Porters, Sarumi and Justina. I really admire their strength and ability to carry bags up to 10kg at a time. They were only approximately 5 feet tall and it was a very heavy load even for a 5 feet 11 inched guy like me. Of course, my backpack wasn’t exactly light as well. It was almost 11kgs. Supin is a very jovial and motivating mountain guide. He could joke and also encourage us along the way.
The Hike
We arrived at Masilau gate at 11am where we get clear out for our registrations and pass then the check point before we head into the dense jungle. The start of the hike is really what we are used to in the some trails in Penang as well. It was mud tracks with wood made into steps. At some point, we were walking across rocky surface, up hill on man made steps, down hill, through rivers and waterfalls. We started to get a feel of the beauty of nature right there and the temperature was perfect about 16 to 18 degrees Celsius.
It was rather foggy on the way up as we get to some clearings, and get a good glimpse of the flowers at the height of 2000 meters above sea level.
Moving along forward we can start to see plants that we don’t see normally see at a lower altitude. Nature in its beauty tells us that we are moving higher each time we see shorter trees with smaller leaves.
Each 500 meter sign was really starting to feel like they are further apart. We took short stops every now and then to rehydrate and rest the muscles then we push on forward. At the pace that we are going, we were at a very different altitude with each rest that makes it interesting as each rest allow us to appreciate the difference in the plants. At one point we saw a very friendly squirrel that was really accustomed to people passing by. It was running across in the open and even stopped to pose for pictures.
Soon after 4 hours of hiking, we reached an open vegetation reserve site that was an open area also known as Layang Layang. This is where both the Masilau and Timpohon trails meet. Supin recommended that it was a good place to stop for lunch. We indeed enjoyed a good lunch with cool breeze, wonderful scenery and a good rest. Another 2km hike awaits us beyond this point.
We arrived at Masilau gate at 11am where we get clear out for our registrations and pass then the check point before we head into the dense jungle. The start of the hike is really what we are used to in the some trails in Penang as well. It was mud tracks with wood made into steps. At some point, we were walking across rocky surface, up hill on man made steps, down hill, through rivers and waterfalls. We started to get a feel of the beauty of nature right there and the temperature was perfect about 16 to 18 degrees Celsius.
It was rather foggy on the way up as we get to some clearings, and get a good glimpse of the flowers at the height of 2000 meters above sea level.
Moving along forward we can start to see plants that we don’t see normally see at a lower altitude. Nature in its beauty tells us that we are moving higher each time we see shorter trees with smaller leaves.
Each 500 meter sign was really starting to feel like they are further apart. We took short stops every now and then to rehydrate and rest the muscles then we push on forward. At the pace that we are going, we were at a very different altitude with each rest that makes it interesting as each rest allow us to appreciate the difference in the plants. At one point we saw a very friendly squirrel that was really accustomed to people passing by. It was running across in the open and even stopped to pose for pictures.
Soon after 4 hours of hiking, we reached an open vegetation reserve site that was an open area also known as Layang Layang. This is where both the Masilau and Timpohon trails meet. Supin recommended that it was a good place to stop for lunch. We indeed enjoyed a good lunch with cool breeze, wonderful scenery and a good rest. Another 2km hike awaits us beyond this point.
Reaching The Top
Words could never explain the feeling hiking up the legendary peak. Steep granite slopes, thin air, and at 4 degrees Celsius it brings its own challenges, adding on the darkness to top it all off. At this point, our group of 20 has reduced to 4, Lucy and Wong with their guide, Diamond and me with Supin. Starting off from the wee hours of 2.30am, the sky changes from dusk to dawn slowly, starting with vast dark skies filled with billions of stars overhead, shining bigger than I have ever seen before, the lights illuminating from the cities thousands of meters below, and clouds lower than us, between the stars and the cities. Indeed, the world looks different when one is at the top. The hike was much enjoyed with the sceneries, its challenges, and a magnificent sunrise.
Words could never explain the feeling hiking up the legendary peak. Steep granite slopes, thin air, and at 4 degrees Celsius it brings its own challenges, adding on the darkness to top it all off. At this point, our group of 20 has reduced to 4, Lucy and Wong with their guide, Diamond and me with Supin. Starting off from the wee hours of 2.30am, the sky changes from dusk to dawn slowly, starting with vast dark skies filled with billions of stars overhead, shining bigger than I have ever seen before, the lights illuminating from the cities thousands of meters below, and clouds lower than us, between the stars and the cities. Indeed, the world looks different when one is at the top. The hike was much enjoyed with the sceneries, its challenges, and a magnificent sunrise.
Nature’s Lesson
When we are out in the wilderness, it doesn’t matter if you are a director of a large corporation or a janitor. The millions of dollars in your bank or pocket will mean nothing. All that matters at that time is that we are just another being. We are no different from the birds and the squirrels. We reach out to anyone who needs help without any hesitation or intensions. We support and encourage everyone who is struggling. We are living life, as it should be. People who cannot do that, will come home complaining that it is hard and pointless. For once, in a long time, I see people co-exist with one another as one. People from different countries, ethnic groups, age, gender and social status, are united into one common purpose.
If only that little moment could be seen in most parts of the world.
Nature Humbles Us, Brings Us Back To Basics,
Nature tells us we are all Equals in God’s Eyes.
When we are out in the wilderness, it doesn’t matter if you are a director of a large corporation or a janitor. The millions of dollars in your bank or pocket will mean nothing. All that matters at that time is that we are just another being. We are no different from the birds and the squirrels. We reach out to anyone who needs help without any hesitation or intensions. We support and encourage everyone who is struggling. We are living life, as it should be. People who cannot do that, will come home complaining that it is hard and pointless. For once, in a long time, I see people co-exist with one another as one. People from different countries, ethnic groups, age, gender and social status, are united into one common purpose.
If only that little moment could be seen in most parts of the world.
Nature Humbles Us, Brings Us Back To Basics,
Nature tells us we are all Equals in God’s Eyes.
No comments:
Post a Comment