SEA's highest mountain, standing at 4,095.2 meters above sea level.
Muhammad, Ariff and me, started the journey to Sabah by LRT from Terminal Putra on 14 May 2010 at 3.00 pm. We reached KL Sentral at 3.30 pm and immediately boarded the Sky Bus to LCCT. We reached LCCT at 4.30 pm and since our flight was at 6.30 pm, we took our dinner at the Asian Restaurant.
Three bowls of noodle soup, two carbonated drinks and a cup of coffee costs us RM49.00. Much more expensive then food on flight.
6.30 sharp, the plane took-off. We reached Kota Kinabalu at 9.00 pm. We took a cab wich cost us RM30.00 for a mere 6 Km
ride to the Borneo Ba
ckpackers Lodge. We were met by Miss Nanie at the lodge. We got ourselves 3 beds (without air-con) and since the night was still young, we went out to check-out Kota Kinabalu.
We were fortunate as that night there was a Pesta Keamatan in town. We took some pictures and walk around the Pasar Malam.
To prepare for tomorrow's climb and to get a good rest, we went to bed early.
The next morning 15 May 2010 at 7 am Sarjit (from Mountain Trails Tour) was already waiting for us. He was to drive us to Timpohon Gate which is 1,866.4 meters above sea. This is where the climb starts.6.30 sharp, the plane took-off. We reached Kota Kinabalu at 9.00 pm. We took a cab wich cost us RM30.00 for a mere 6 Km
ride to the Borneo Ba
ckpackers Lodge. We were met by Miss Nanie at the lodge. We got ourselves 3 beds (without air-con) and since the night was still young, we went out to check-out Kota Kinabalu.We were fortunate as that night there was a Pesta Keamatan in town. We took some pictures and walk around the Pasar Malam.
To prepare for tomorrow's climb and to get a good rest, we went to bed early.
We start our climb at 10.00 am. The plan was to climb up to 3,272 meters a distance of 6 km. At 3,272 meters (1m = 3.28 ft) we will reach Laban Rata where we will rest before we start our final leg of the climb. On the outside right is our guide Francis.
This is how the climb looks like. After walking 2 Km we have only reached 2,252 m
Short rest by Muhammad to answer nature's call. We have walked 3.5 Km and have another 2.5 Km to go. We have climbed 767.6 m and touched 2,634 meters above sea level. By this time we have started to get fatigue.
We reached L
aban Rata at 3.30 pm after a grueling 5.30 hours climb. We took a short rest with Amy & Hannah from England who walked all the way up with us. We had wild raspberry which we found along the way. I didn't know that raspberries are sour.
Upon checking-in at Pandan Hut (this is where we stayed) we were briefed on the use of harness and ropes for tomorrow's "walk the torq". At 5.00 pm we had BBQ dinner at Laban Rata. The food was excellent - beef steak, lamb, salad bowl cakes, cold & hot drinks etc. etc. Then at 6.30 pm - sleep.
We started th
e 2nd leg of the climb at 3.00 am 16 May 2010. It was a 2.72 km climb to reach the peak of Mt. Kinabalu's Low's Peak at KM 8.72. We climbed another 823 meters to reach 4,095.2 meters and reach Low's Peak at 5.30 am. A strenuous 3 hours ascend.To descend via Ferrata and do the "Walk the Torg" we had to descend to KM7 to Sayat-Sayat Hut. On the way down you can see some of the most beautiful scenery. Here are a few of them:
We reached Sayat-Sayat Hut at 7 am. By 8 am rest, briefing and gearing-up are all complete. We are ready to do the "Walk the Torq".
I don't know wh
at "Walk the Torq" means, but i guess it's moving around using rope and harness. Because this is what we did. Our instructor told us the whole process of descending down 200 m will take us 2 hours. But the three of us being fit, managed to complete the course in 1 hour. For anyone who wants to try, let me forewarn you that if you are scared of heights, forget it! Just take a look at the pictures on the left and right and you will agree with me.
