Mount Kinabalu Via Ferrata

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 Backpackers 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.
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 Laban 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 the 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 what "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.

Ariff & Adam Junior Open Water Padi Scuba Dive Test

Perhentian Island Adventure

Perhentian Island on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia consists of two islands called Perhentian Kecil (the smaller island) and Perhentian Besar (the bigger island). The water surrounding the island is crystal clear. Very good for those who loves snorkeling and scuba diving.

I was told that Long Beach on Perhentian Kecil is where the action is, if you are looking for one. So as a scuba diver, I decided to go to Perhentian Kecil on 13 March to 15 March 2010 to see what is under the water and what is on Long Beach (killing two birds with one stone).

So this is how the story goes:

I reached the Jetty at Kuala Besut at twelve noon on 13 March. And it just stopped raining. The agent hurried me on a speed boat, and waived good bye. "See you again day after tomorrow" he yelled over the sound of the loud speed boat engine and the thunderous crash of waves on the rocks at the jetty.

Barely a few meters from the jetty the whole ordeal begin to unfold. Waves as high as 3 foot starts crashing into our speedboat. Then the horror! The driver said, thought the monsoon was just over, the weather from yesterday was just like during the monsoon season. No small boats dare to go out to sea the whole of the morning. The ride was very bumpy and we all got wet. Some of us had to use goggles and mask to see where we are going. No joke.

The journey was supposed to be 25 minutes. We touched solid ground 45 minutes later because the boat had to slow down several times to avoid flipping belly-up due to high waves. Anyway, to cut the story, we checked-in at the Shari-La Resort. After getting our chalet keys and welcoming us, the receptionist advised us not to swim too far out as someone drowned the day before on Long Beach. Long Beach....that's where we plan to swim shortly.

OK, positive thinking, people do drown once awhile.

Because of all these fuss, we decided not to swim that evening, instead Muhammad, Ariff and me went hiking. We plan to walk along the beach to the fisherman village nearby, and make one round the island and return to our resort. We said we will be back in about 45 minutes.

We found out that hiking at Perhentian kecil was wonderful for fat burn and cardio. We walked and ran over soft white sand, track over small hills and climb rocks. The air was fresh and clean. We reached the resort after a grueling 2 hours of hiking.

It was already almost dark, so we took our bath, and went for set-dinner at the resort. Only RM10 per person. Very cheap. You choose either the Malaysian Set or Western Set. The Malaysian set would of course be either mee goreng or nasi goreng with fruit juice and desert and......free flow of hot coffee or tea. The western set would be something like fish and chips or some cheap steaks with fries and again fruit juice and hot drinks.

The next morning as planned, I proceeded to the Dive Center next to the resort. The rates are reasonable, but unfortunately I didn't follow through with my plan to dive as I was advised by a Dive Master friend of mine (Mr. Fauzi) that visibility for that day would be bad. Remember, yesterday the sea was rough, so sand and silt would not have settled yet. Never mind about that as there's lots of other activities to do. I went snorkeling with friends and family instead.

In the afternoon, we went to the famous Long Beach. A long stretch of beautiful soft sandy beach with many foreigners sunbathing. As I'm already tanned, I don't have to do that. It's true that this is the the only place in Perhentian Island where people converge. See picture below.

A European woman selling some souvenirs.

Alright, that's enough about my experience in Perhentian Island. What I've learned here is that there are many things to do in the Island. You can scuba, snorkel, swim, sunbath, hiking etc. etc. etc.

Follow me on my next adventure - Mt. Kinabalu via Ferrata 14 to 17 May 2010.