The Climb: Akinabalu Day II

As mentioned in earlier post of Akinabalu Day I, woke up early at night due to experiencing signs of AMS & couldn't put myself back to sleep. Plainly killing time till 1.30 a.m. on the bed to get myself up. Most people staying in the Gunting Lagadan Hut have got up by then & prepared themselves. One glance at the people wearing winter clothes, u could have mistaken yourself being at Switzerland, preparing to hike The Matterhorn.

What I wear? A beanie, a surgical mask (to replace with scarf as I can't stand the wool when put close to the mouth), 3 layers of clothes (yes, 3 layers-singlet, an inner tee & a long sleeve tee), a jacket, hand gloves & long cargo pant. Not forgetting the most important of all, the head light. After fully dressing ourselves & equipped with headlight, we went out to Laban Rata resthouse for early breakfast and met up with the guide. With the cold weather outside, regretted for not bringing my bottles of hot sake bought from Japan, which could help in warming up the body. By now, the sneeze has stopped, breathing difficulties has stopped but still, the headache was still there. Each of us took a Panadol Activfast tablet to help with that.

Our wear for the climb

Started the climb towards the summit at 3.00 a.m. sharp. The distance covers 2.5 kilometres from Laban Rata till the summit. There is this rule, all climbers are to report to the checkpoint at Sayat-Sayat hut at 1st kilometre point by 5.00 a.m. Those reported after that, will not be allowed to proceed further. Our guide didn't actually explain the reason for this.

The first kilometer trail to Sayat-Sayat are mostly rocky surfaces with stairs at ascending 45 degrees. Clarence n myself were huffing, puffing & stopping throughout the way, possibly due to the AMS effect & being exhausted from the climb the day before. Here is the starting point of judging your mental strength. Doubts begin to creep into our minds. Here is the time where we start to ask ourselves what are we doing here, why are we doing this, is it worth doing this, can we just turn back etc. Too dark to take photos of most paths but at the 500 metres point, we are told to hold tight to a long strip of rope, connecting all the way to the summit & climb up the rocks. At one point, looking down below, it was so dark that ur grateful ur not able to see it. Otherwise, u probably scared to death with the height. Here is also the point of "end of forestation" whereby the temperature is so low n cold that tropical plants would not be able to survive with the weather.



Reached the Sayat-Sayat hut checkpoint at 4.55 am, 5 minutes before the so-called cut off time of 5.00 am

Now, it was all wider, rockier surface, all the way from Sayat-Sayat point. The temperature probably reached 3 degrees by now. With such a wide area, there is no way u can run from the wind blowing at approx 25km/h to u. There's no other choice but to hang on & keep walking. Legs were still able to make the walk but the thin air made it more difficult to breath, needing myself trying to control the breathing to slow down the heartbeat. This was done while walking, actually caused it more tiring actually. Stopping at every 100 metres by now. And with the mind keep asking when are we gonna reach the summit, it's really mentally torturing not able to see the end of the trail.

Close to the 8 kilometre point

If there's a time to call the name of God, this has to be it. If there's a time to scream for your momma, this has to be it. I was holding to my pendant most of the time, reminding myself that I don't come all the way here to give up. Although three of us were walking at different timings, we kept stopping n wait for the others, as sign of encouragement n telling ourselves we can do it together.

Finally able to catch the sight of the Low's Peak once arrived at the 8th kilometre point. However, the worst has just begun. Never in my mind have a thought that arriving at the last 150 metres point, just below the peak is actually the most heartbreaking moment. If there's a perfect example of "being so near, yet so far", this is the one. Like what's Clarence described it, it's like a mountain within a mountain. With combination of rock formations, the steepness rise up to almost 60 degrees I think. With just a strip of rope as a guide, we are practically rock climbing to the top. With tired legs, prayed for one last push to the top.

The famous sight of Low's Peak, highest peak in South East Asia

At the point of last 150 metres to the top

Reached the Low's Peak summit at approx. 7.30 a.m. And yes, as what others said, it was an exhilarating feeling to finally reach the top, triumphing over multiple physical & mental barriers. This was the time when images of all happenings & challenges faced from the first day climb onwards being played in my mind & gratitude naturally comes. Gratitude to Him for giving me the divine strength to overcome the challenges to reach here. Gratitude to both Maj & Clare for the encouragement & advises shared before & during the trip. Gratitude to other fellow climbers for the encouragement given along the way.

Reached the summit finally !!!

The descending walk below was a painful experience. With a flat rock surface with slight dampness, it was a slippery walk downwards too. By the time I reached Laban Rata to check out from the resthouse, I was already crippling & it was a painful walk all the way as got blisters at all my toes. After the lunch, we started to walk back at 11.30 a.m. Realised I made a bad decision to buy wrong size of shoes, causing the toes turn swollen along the way down.

This is the one of the dangerous rock paths we need to take to reach the summit & again, back to Laban Rata. One slip & heaven's door opens for u. 

On the way down

We reached the Timpohon gate at 5.30 p.m. By the time, we reached the Park HQ to check out, it was already dark & no more transport back to city. No choice but to take a RM 200.00 cab ride back to Promenade Hotel in the city. It's a standard price really. Everyone was so tired that we slept  throughout the journey back to hotel. So, to answer the usual questions below after the climb. Will write about our sojourn at Kota Kinabalu in next post.

Q: Is the climb worthwhile?
A: Yes. Can't describe the feeling in words, u need to be here to experience yourself

Q: Will you do it again?
A: Yes but not in near future

Q: Any advise to the climbers?
A: Please practice & exercise before you come. It's a battle between your mind & body, so please don't forget to pray for divine intervention.