Greatest Achievement!
This is the revenge story of a
crazy guy after failed attempt of climbing mount Kinabalu 2 weeks before.
Fast Fact (the fact that I’m
unable to find during research) :
Guide Office operation hour –
7.00am – 5.00pm (answering the question can I register the guide on the day of
the climb itself)
Timpohon Gate opens at 7.00am
(not earlier than that), maybe close at 5.00pm (answering the question can I
start early or not for a dayclimb)
Transport from KK Town (Padang
Merdeka) (bus van) (to Kota Kinabalu – Ranau)
– last trip maybe around 4 to 5pm.
Transport from Kinabalu Park to
KK Town – Last van maybe 5.00pm, just flag down at Partaban Restaurant road
side
Fee : RM17-00 to RM20-00 per
person one way. (Taxi – RM190-00 – RM200-00 one way)
the van bus...bound for Ranau
The last climbers to leave from
Timpohon gate will most probably at 10.30am – 11.00am (a little bit late also
can, depend on the guide as you will have 15 hours* to reach laban rata,
relax).
* you need to start climb to the
peak at 2.00am the next morning.
If you seem lost at any part of
the park or KK town/KK park, just ask around, you will get the hang of it –
universal tips.
Tips and Trick for a dayclimb
:
1. High fitness Level
2. Book for 2 days 1 night
accommodation from Sutera Sanctuary Lodges (RM366-00) – it’s all you need
3. On the day of your climb,
during registration at the guide office, please state your intention to climb
on the same day.
4. Sabah Park will allow you to
climb on the same day only if you had booked accommodation at Laban Rata (the
2D1N package already include this)
The methodology is : you will
climb from Timpohon straight to the peak of Mt Kinabalu on the same day, then
descend back to Laban Rata where you will stay overnight, and descend back to
Timpohon the next morning. You don’t need to wake up at 2.00am and join the
rest of the crew, making you snail pace bee line to the summit.
* Mersilau Trail is not possible
as the distance is much further - 2 km more
5. The trick is : after you had
done the registration and state your intention for a day climb at the guide
office, you actually have 2 chances to climb Mount Kinabalu. No. 1 is on the same day of your climb, if
you fail to climb on day 1 due to weather or you physically can’t,...option no.
2, you can just overnight at Laban Rata, then try the next morning at 2.00am,
like a standard arrangement .
6. If you’re likely to reach the
summit after 1.00 pm, there is no one to stop you at 4,095 metres altitude
rather than your guide, so, making good rapport with your guide is essential.
Achievement Summary of My
Climb :
From Timpohon Gate to Laban Rata
– in 2 hours 40 minutes (started at 7.20am – reached Laban Rata at 10.00am).
Distance : 6km
Rested for 20 minutes at Laban
Rata
From Laban Rata to Sayat-Sayat
checkpoint (7th km) – in 55 minutes (started at 10.20am – arrived at
11.15am)
Distance : 1km
Rested for 12 minutes
From Sayat-sayat to 8km
checkpoint – in 37 minutes (started at 11.27am – arrived at 12.04pm)
Distance : 1 km
From 8km checkpoint to Peak – in
36 minutes (arrived at 12.40pm)
Distance : 600 metres
Rested 19 minutes, enjoy the
view, taking photos – relax, there is no one here
From Peak to Laban Rata – in 36
minutes (arrived at 1.56pm) (crazy pace descending begins)
Distance : 2.6km
Rested 34 minutes, lunch
From Laban Rata to Timpohon Gate
– in 1 hour 36 minutes (started at 2.30pm – arrived at 4.06pm)
Power walk in the rain. Yes, I’m
crazy!
Here’s the Story
Climbing date : 20 September 2014
(Saturday)
One Day Climb had NOT been made
possible beginning from August 2014 by Sabah Park (though many had successfully
done it previously).
By looking at the compulsory
requirement by the Sabah Park, that the climber shall reached the summit by
1.00pm and be back at Timpohon Gate by 5.00pm on the same day.
Meaning that a total of 10 hours
allocated from the opening of Timpohon gate at 7.00am until the park close at
5.00pm.
It was believed that many had
succumbed to injury, fatigue or various reason that resulted for them to reach
back at Timpohon later than 5.00pm, which had cause inconvenience (in their own
way) to Sabah Park.
my gear, supplement, protection
Arrangement Before Climb
One day earlier. Meet my guide
who had been introduced by running friend at Parthaban Restaurant 5pm, few
metres from the KK park’s entrance.
from Parthaban Restaurant
A Chinese Tea and Anchovies Bread
The Menu, a little bit pricey but ok still...
Where the payment was made, the
guide himself will register and book for transport to timpohon gate. The deal
is on to meet him tomorrow at 7.00am.
You may also register on the day
of the climb (as I mentioned earlier) for a dayclimb (I’ve called Sabah Park
numerous time to confirm this).
It’s getting dark, I packed fried
rice for dinner from Parthaban restaurant (RM7-00). I walked to Kinabalu
Mountain Lodge from KK Park for about 2km and another 800 metres further in.
The entrance from the main road
The main road, fruit and vege seller
Little bit more of climbing
Booked with agoda.com for RM30-00
per bed per night was a worth one. Except for the squeaky iron double decker
bed, everything is fine here. The toilet is outside, there is the veranda where
you can view the surrounding, until its get dark.
Finally, I'm here....
The Verandah
the sun set around 6.30pm...nice ey..?
We have hot shower here..soap and conditioner. We also have moths flying around to accompany you.
Arranged for a call-taxi the next
morning at 7.00am (RM15-00 per way). Woke up as early as 5.00am. Having
breakfast of sandwich egg, great! Waited for the taxi until 6.45am, but due to
panic (unable to reach KK park at 7.00am), I made my move by foot to KK park. I
said to my Scottish new friend to pick up me on the way to KK park in case if
the taxi came. As I reached 500 metres to KK park signboard, the taxi came to
the rescue with my Scottish friend inside. Yay!!
waiting for my sandwich
Mount Kinabalu is my cup of tea...
We reached KK Park at 7.06am,
where I met my guide, who had already took my pre-packed lunch (egg, cheese
sandwich, apple and mineral water) from Belsam Cafe (you already paid for the
package). I taught a few steps on how to register for guide and porter to my
Scottish friend, then, me and my guide hop on the van to Timpohon gate. No time
to loose.
What do I bring on this journey :
on my body – glove, tshirt, another layer of long sleeves shirt, shorts and
another layer of long trekking pants. My backpack weight about 4 to 5kg
(jacket, food, spare shirt and few essential items) (I should be only wearing
few essential gear as we gonna climb only in one day, however, in case the
climb is unsuccessful that day, I need to stay at Laban Rata for a night, so,
the backpack and the items are important, if not I will freeze to death!). Not
to forget footwear, the one and only Brooks Trailblade.
Stairs of Heaven
This is my 2nd
ascending to Mt Kinabalu, we meet again. The steps initially were bearable, it
was fast. Then it became slow until at one point I felt too tired to continue.
I think at 3km mark. At this breaking point, my guide offered to carry my
bagpack. I obliged – not to destroy my dignity and be such a pussy unable to
carry that bag, but because the journey will be a lot faster for the benefit of
us.
Yup, climbing stairs with nothing
on your back was a relief. But not for long, the fatigue seeps in. I felt too
weak. I lost energy. My guide said that I’m moving too fast and stepping too
high to be the cause of the fatigue. We have less than 5 km to go. With that
kind of distance when you are climbing was totally different measurement
compared to running on a flat route. Your body will act as you run or walk
twice the distance.
From the beginning of the climb,
I will be in front, the normal guide will be at the back, waiting, watching and
follow your pace. But…my guide doing the opposite, well, after seeing me with
my crazy pace, he asked me to follow him. He will show the correct technique on
how to climb the freaking stairs.
I'm holding the sandwich on my left hand, just waiting the perfect moment to consume it.
It was always with small steps.
For every stairs you step, instead of 1 normal step, you break it down to 2
steps or more. The move was slow, but effective. We didn’t stop at any of the
hut. Conserving energy in anyway we could. Consumed drink frequently is a must,
Gatorade is my kind of choice.
My Gatorade tasted different - maybe it's the altitude
Where got tired?
We met few climbers who on their
way down. We reached laban rata at 10.00am. One of the climber was surprised
that we reached Laban Rata at that time. She said “astaga” some sort like “oh
my god”, ha, ha…I never forget that face.
Anytime soon now...
We replenished our water supply
at the restaurant, plain water for free. Stacked up unwanted items from my
backpack to another sack and left it at the counter. Then, we’re off to summit
trail.
How is my hair?
My brooks trailblade never fail
on me on those rocks. I don’t even need to hold on to the rope, but only at
certain near to death section.
Sayat-Sayat Checkpoint (7th
km)
We reached Sayat-Sayat checkpoint
at around 11.15am, 37 minutes from Laban Rata. There was no one there. The gate
was open. I think, if you brave enough to bend all rules, you might as well
climb the mountain without the guide at this time (while you doing nothing in
Laban Rata)…he, he…Even if the gate is close, just go around it, and continue
to summit.
We rested about 12 minutes here.
I had a short nap. The sun was blasting it’s bright light, the heat was a
blessing. It’s cold up here. Please do take note that you body will mistakenly
treat the heat as a non-harmful factor. But actually it will burn your skin –
I’m suffering from a skin burnt on my face after the climb.
I quickly awakened by a high
pitch voice calling out my name “ijam”! It’s time to move on. We started with
slow pace, the rocks getting flatter much like an incline rock of savannah. The
oxygen was getting thinner at 3700 metres. I need to breathe like a dog –
gasping for more air.
My guide uses his umbrella to
shelter from the sun.
Low’s Peak
From Sayat-Sayat (7th
km mark) to the 8th km mark about one kilometre away took us about
37 minutes. What is in front of us were multiple summits consist of huge rocks.
I would occasionally stop (err...50 steps) to catch my breath for the elusive
oxygen then continued on.
We past the RM1 ringgit landmark,
the donkey ears, and finally the summit. 600 metres to go with 200 metres of
straight climb to the peak. The longest 200 metres for me in the history of
mankind.
Reached the summit at 12.40pm. I
just lie flat on the flat concrete of Mount Kinabalu summit signboard. My head
was spinning and it hurt. After 5 minutes, I regain consciousness and properly
sit down and enjoy the view. Finally, after 5 hours and 20 minutes, I’m on top
of the world – the Majestic Mount Kinabalu!!. It was a sunny day with lots and
lots of wonder clouds, intermittent mist that passed by. The wind was soothing
but cold. For 19 minutes (yup, I monitor my time like a monitor lizard on it’s
prey), then we headed down.
I think my watch need calibration (or the mountain?)
cloud 9!
Under my umbrella...ella..ella...ey..ey...
Proud pose
I made it!!
Ok that's enough!
ok a little bit more : Selfie at 4,095 metres
Look what he's wearing - tights!!
Low’s Peak to Laban Rata
Crazy pace downhill is my kind of
game. We did it in 36 minutes at 1.56pm. Having fried rice – though I don’t
have the appetite. A few scoop of it, an Altitude Mountain Sickness Pill (AMS),
Active Fast Panadol and endurolytes (hammer product) will be my supplement on
the way down. I’m starting to feel sore on both my knees since the peak to
Laban Rata descending.
A Big portion of fried rice
At 2.30pm, the descending from
Laban Rata to Timpohon started. As I said, the downhill is my game. My knee is
fine (thanks for the Paracetamol). Few word of encouragement for the climbers
who had only few metres to reach Waras Hut in Laban Rata – ‘come on’, “u can do
it”, “push it!”, “just a little bit more”!....
By 3.00pm the rain started to
pours. For 1 hour we have to endure a wet, slippery and muddy trail. I put on
my poncho bought at 7-11 for RM4.50. My pace will be much faster if it wasn’t
for the rain.
My long trekking pants was giving
me hard time, it’s 1 inch bigger than my actual waist, I forgot to bring the
belt, so, it kind of slipping downward exposing my inner wear and it felt so uncomfortable.
I need to constantly lift it up.
We overtook many climbers on our
way down. There was one point whereby we met with a group of porter, one of
them was ‘piggy-back’-ing a Korean or Japanese (I think) climber. I think she’s
injured. I heard the cost of this kind of service will cost you dearly – RM500-00
per KM!.
The rain had stopped. In no time,
I heard the sound of water fall – it’s carson water fall. Yay!! We finally made
it home with one piece. We reached Timpohon Gate at 4.06pm. After 8 hours 46
minutes of climbing, I ended my journey.
I thanked my guide for his motivation and encouragement (by the way, he is
a marathoner just like me..he, he..). With his capability and high spirit that pushed
my lazy ass through those stairs. Mr Kudidi, you are one hell of a guide!!
it's actually 8 hours 8 minutes if I minus the resting time
