Part 4: TREKKING UP MOUNT KINABALU_ 8-9 May 2009

Sambung lagi..

Kami sampai di Laban Rata dalam pukul 3pm. it was showering when we get close to de place. Thinning air makes it harder to breathe. and de body easily get tired!

am deliriously happy. haha!!

Laban Rata Resthouse is equipped with running water, electricity, a restaurant and indoor showers and toilets. Electric heaters are provided in the rooms as well as blankets. Dis is our pitt stop for resting place.

Weather @ Laban Rata was so chilling as we are about 10,000 feet above sea level. i wear my thick sweater all de time thou.

de mountain seems like right behind u!

waktu nie strong wind n chilling!

above de cloud..

waiting for sunset..approx 6.15pm



beautiful sunset @ 10,000 feet above sea level..



Having some meals to regain back my energy @ laban rata cafe.

i slept early dat nite, i think around 8pm, after having dinner. It is because i have to wake up early - at about 2.00am, to continue for de second phase of the climb. Taken right before we start our night climb.

So de next morning, around 3.00am, we started our second phase climb. Above Laban Rata, de trail continues as a series of wooden ladders, fashioned out tree roots and branches. At dis time around, good headlight is essential as most of the time we have to hold something for stability. It gives u way to flatter, more easy walking just below Sayat-Sayat, when de true edge of the tree-line is reached. My friend Kuna, stop de climb after an half and hour climbing due to serious coughing. Our guide send her back and leave us alone to continue our climb n he will catch us soon as he can. Nways, we continue our climb n it took me about more than an hour to Sayat-Sayat. Sayat- sayat is de highest mountain hut at 3810 meters (12,500 feet). The dwarfed vegetation at this altitude contrast sharply with enormous silver black dome of the summit.

well along de way,ropes are fixed at difficult places, but these are more to inspire confidence than from necessity. i always keep close to the rope. Dis is because u would not get lost if u stay close by. There are some places where the trail is very steep, almost 70° angle. Carefull is essential at dis time. I dont take much photos during my climb up to sayat-sayat. as the wind is sooooo freezing cold as i my fingers are numb. and its dark surrounding as well. 100% relying on my headlight.

Tough grasses and other plants cling to rock cervices, flowering and fruiting only a few centimeters tall. Then we pass de 8km mark with de South Peak and St. John's Peak on ur left. It was sunrise dat time. The views are beautiful..From here de bare granite slabs stretch endlessly ahead to the pile of jumbled rocks that is Low's Peak.

Sunrise @ de plathaeu..

The view of the surrounding peaks is magnificent. Masha Allah. i think by 6.00am, i can see most of the peak very clearly. This is usually the best time to take pictures of the sunrise and the peak.

Me and Kak Ton reached de Low's Peak around 6.45am. It was such a superb feeling. Unbelieveable! SPEECHLESS!. After all de efforts dat hv been put in, we finaly on top of de highest mountain in South East Asia.






Awesome rocks


After half an hour at de top, we decide to start descending. Further down on de right is the South Peak. If the weather is clear, you will also be able to see Kundasang and Ranau town from here. Along de summit plateau, we walk down with de Ugly Sister's Peak and Donkeys Ears on de left.

Further down, we arrived at Sayat-Sayat Hut and refill our water bottle with de mountain water. it's de water from 13,000 feet above sea level!

To be frank, im little bit nervous while descending after sayant-sayat hut. Ini adalah kerana, de drop everything is very clear. U'll see de clear 70% drop steepness. Luckily, it was dark while climbing, n we dont see anything like that. Afterall, de views still magnificent!

hmm dah nampak dah laban rata dari sini..
Kami tiba di Laban rata dalam pukul 11am. a bit late if compare to other climbers. but i really enjoyed dis trip very much. will definately come to scale again dis mountain next time!

~THE END~