Mount Kinabalu (4095m) – Day 4

The day has finally arrived….for us to realize our dream….to be at the highest mountain in Malaysia !

We woke up at about 2.30am in the morning, in fact I guess all of us did not have a good sleep. We were awaken in between our sleep by a sudden increase in our room’s temperature, I could not remember what time it was. It was that hot enough that my friend has started to sweat and our guess from Western country has already took off his cloth 88|. What happened ? I was curious and later found out that it was the heater in our room had started “to do its work” by giving us what we would suppose to need it during noon and evening time.

Apparently, the heater was only operating at certain time in the Rest House due to power limitation and it was controlled by the Rest House operator. I remembered I has switched it “ON” during noon time as it was very cool but when it did not work, I left it without switching it “Off”. That’s the reason we have this little drama happened in the middle of the night. Sorry guys ! :>>

Back to the topic, after washing ourselves with those cold water, we equipped ourselves with all the weather protection cloths, lights and drinks before going down to the cafeteria to have our very early breakfast, or shall I call it “Supper” in Malaysia ? How often do we have our breakfast at such an early time at 2,00am ? I believe during this hour, most of us already in our Sweet Dream. I remembered during school days we used to hang around until mid night and then went for our Supper before going home, but not now… for those married and have family, you should know why !

After our buffet breakfast, we started our final journey at about 2.45am. The weather was good and we saw many stars in the sky, very pretty night. As other groups also departed at the same time, the trail was full of people and head lights. It was fun also because we did not know how the trail looked like as the sky still was dark. We were in a very slow pace because we had to watch out each of our step. Then when came to ascending, we encountered “human jam” but there was no air pollution in this nice environment;D.

This time, I did not wait for my friends because I did not want to miss the sun rise moment. According to our guide, we have to reach the final check point at 4.30am. The distance from our Rest House to the check point is 1.0km and to the summit is 2.8 km and based on yesterday statistic, if we were to slow and take many rest, we might not be able to reach the top before 6am. So…friends, sorry for letting you guys behind, it’s not what I wanted, hope you can understand. :no:

The sky was clear and so beautiful, the stars and moon were there, the dim moonlight provided us some guidance in some of the trails. I was walking at my own pace, knowing that I must not walk too fast to avoid suffering from the altitude sickness at that critical situation. The air was thin, the weather was cool and the air pressure was low as we ascending to high altitude. Although I had taken Diamox (altitude preventions and treatment medicine) few days before coming to Mount Kinabalu, I still needed to be careful.

By the way, in case you want to know, there are few levels of altitude sickness or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). The symptoms of mild AMS including headache, loss of appetite, shortness of breath and fatigue. The middle level of AMS including severe headache that cannot be relieved by medication, vomiting, shortness of breath and increasing fatigue. The serious AMS symptoms are inability to walk, shortness of breath even during resting time, decreasing mental status and fluid built up in lungs. I would advice anyone wants to climb to above 2,500 meters(about 8,000 feet)high, please find out more information about this Altitude Sickness so that you know what to prepare to avoid AMS. Anyone can be affected from altitude sickness, please do not take it easily or else you will miss the opportunities to harvest your hard work at the top of the mountain or it may threaten your life, if it is a serious AMS.

I tried to take photo for the scenery as I was ascending to the summit but unfortunately my camera did not have the extra function for me to take a nice photo in the darkness. So, I just kept walking and rested when I felt a bit exhausted. One thing I realized was that if I took too long to rest (more than 5 minutes), I had a very hard time to start walking again as the muscles needed to be warmed up once more before they could adapt to the situation. In addition, the cool weather made my muscles more harder to warming up if rested for too long. Thus, I only stopped when I wanted to have a sip of water, then I moved on.

After walking for about 1km, I reached the check-point at 3.50am and we have to show the staff inside our identification tag for registration purpose.

The trail was more tougher and I had to walked like an old man, one small step at a time, worrying the rocks would be slippery and dangerous but later when I observed how one of the lady guides walked on the rocks, I followed her footstep and it gave me more confidence to walk on such a steep rock. Though exhausting but I kept walking and as what I use to do normally, enjoying the beauty of the sky, the moon and the stars. The cool weather made my body fresh enough to be awaken. I had only one goal in my mind, to reach the TOP and i knew I could do it !

4.23am, I reached 8km point at 3929 meter high. Felt more excited, few hundred meters more, I would reach to the summit. My body really felt exhausted…. but I was determined to be at top before sun rise ! At this last hurdle, I needed Perseverance and Determination, never give up ! Yes, you have to believe in yourself now that you could do it !

4.55am, I made it to the highest mountain in Malaysia, The Low’s Peak ! At the elevation of 4,095 meters, I was standing on it now !

Yes, I made it to the TOP !

Taken at 5.43am

At 5.44am

People are approaching the summit at 5.45am.

5.48am, more people arriving.

Isn’t this beautiful ?

We are above the clouds.

Another view at 5.55am.

Different view at 5.55am.

Sky changes fast at 5.56am.

Since my friends have yet to arrive, climbers there were so kind to help shooting my solo pictures.

Anyone notices anything at the far side of this picture ?

This climber was so helpful and kind that he asked me to post in 3 different view that he thought was beautiful. Later I found out that he was a good photographer ! If you are the climber that I am writing and is looking at this, thanks a lot !

I could not resist to take more of this beautiful scene. It was 5.59am

5.59am now.

At 6.00am, I discovered the forming of these clouds on top of a mountain.

As the weather was freezing and more people were reaching the summit, I started to descend at 6.00am.

I was impressed by the pattern formed on this mountain.

Same view taken just now but this was at the time of 6.09am.

At 6.09am, although many have missed the sun rising moment but they still climbing up to the summit. I guess they just wanted to reach to the summit. My salute to these people for their determination !

Sun continued to rise at the time of 6.19am.

This is the spirit that these climbers have, late better than given up half way !

6.22am.

6.25am. I met one of my friends and he told me another friend could not make it and has already returned to Rest House> He has only walked for less than 500m height and started to vomit and chest was uncomfortable. The guide did not allow him to contunue the climb. I guess he must be suffered with altitude sickness. At that moment, I could understand how he felt for not able to join us here, it was really frustrating. After all, he already done his best to walk and climb for 6km distance.

Sun is rising but climbers keep climbing to the summit.

Taken at 6.28am.

Look at the shape of this rock !

At 6.30am

6.32am, by now we could see the city view clearly.

At 6.35am. For those who were moving fast than others in the early dawn, white rope become their guide to climb to the summit.

This is how the trail to the summit looks like. I took it after descending for 20 minutes.

The turtle is raising up its head to welcome another new day ! Can you see it ?

Few climbers already descended here at 6.38am.

8km point at 3929 m height. If you think there is only 166 meter height (summit : 4095M)to reach the summit and should be easy now, you are wrong. To walk or climb another 800 meter on the rock is totally different compared to walking on the normal road. So, do not try to increase your pace.

6.39am.

30 minutes descending from the summit. Oh yes, better to remind you that try not to hold the rope and pull yourself up when ascending as some part of the rope have already broken. Hopefully, the Park Authority can replace with a new rope soonest. Please keep me inform if you know the rope have ralready eplaced.

6.42am.

Grasses able to survive with this level, enduring the cool weather and hot sun, shouldn’t we learn from them ?

The surface of the rock is rough enough for you to walk without holding the rope.

I hope I can have the professional skills to capture all these beautiful view to share with you all.

A goat head with its little horn ? Or you see different thing here ?

7.5km with the elevation of 3,800 M.

Can you see the steepness here ?

So high from the ground.

Reaching to the check point.

If you were to climb during day time, you may give up easily as it seems that there is no end of the climb. Even during the dawn, I was wondering how many of this I have to climb over before seeing the summit. Then, I just looked at my footstep and focus on my walk, less bringing my head up. It made my climb more easier. Maybe what those successful people say is right, when you have plan, take action and focus on what you are doing, do not let other things distract you, then you are already half way to the success.

This is where I started to learn from the lady guide how to walk on this tough trail.

At this heigh level, you can even call back to talk to your love ones.

Don’t be mislead that the far view is the summit, you have to be there to see it yourself. Seeing is believing, right ?

7.0 km point.

Another turtle is climbing up to the top.

Well, it’s time to take rest and enjoy the pretty flower now. ;D

When descending from this point, you better hold the rope. See what the warning notice says on next picture. Don’t worry, the rope here is safe to hold. The broken rope I was writing is up there.

When I read this, I was puzzling 88| Who wants to run down from here ? I guess it is for the runners who took part in the Climbathon as they were the one who can only run up and down to achieve the amazing record of less than 3 hours from The Park to Summit and back to The Park !

This is the most difficult and dangerous hurdle to cross. Make sure to hold the rope tight and no jumping queue, most importantly, watch your step !

I met this friendly young climber half way descending. He was from UK and was there for few days and next stop-over was to Kuala Lumpur.

You can’t see this so clearly in the early dawn when the sky is still dark.

The turtle is still taking its sweet time to enjoy the sunshine

6.5 km point, my friend almost reached here before he turned back due to the mountain sickness.

This was the place where “people jam” happened during ascending time.

It was 7.58am when I took this photo.

I arrived at the Rest House about 8.10am and saw my friend sitting in the Cafeteria. He was so disappointed because he could not make it to the top there. As what I said, he has already tried his best and when something happened and was beyond our control, we have to accept the fact and face it. After all, the Mount Kinbalu will be always here for him to conquer again !

Another friend came down 2 hours later. We took our 2nd round of breakfast, packed and started to descend to the park office at 10.50am.

I was hoping to see people carry a cooking gas cylinder so that I can take a picture of them, now I found one.

As writing earlier, thess people earn my respect. This is their life and it is their rountine work. If we do not have a choice to choose our living, we just have to accept our life as it is. But sometimes too many choices also confuse us. :yes:

Carrying 16kg like this everyday ? Would you want to do this ?

Sometimes when I needed to be alone and feel the tranquility, I would go into the jungle.

This is where we can have our fresh air and cherish the moment of our life.

Just walk slowly, relax and enjoy the surrounding.

We reached the park office at about 4.00pm and taking our last picture before saying goodbye to Mount Kinalabu.

Yesterday morning, we were here, Now, we are saying goodbye to this beautiful mountain. If the Mount Kinabalu sings “When Will I See You Again“. My answer is next year, I will see you again !

Here is the certificate that I received for reaching to the summit. Of course it was not given for free !

Well, I hope you have enjoyed all those pictures that I had taken during my wonderful trip with my friends at Mount Kinabalu.

Oh yes, before I forget, have you noticed that I did not write Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in South East Asia ?

Well, out of curiosity, I have done some researches and found out that in fact Mount Kinanbalu is not the highest mountain in South East Asia. Surprise ? Can you guess which one is The Highest Mountain in South East Asia ?

The answer is Hkakabo Razi from Burma, the peak stands at 5881 m. The 2nd highest is Puncak Jaya from Indonesia at the height of 4884 m. Mount Kinabalu only come 3rd (4095 m). I guess many people is not aware of this fact. But when I searched more to verify the above fact, I was getting more confusing, there is one blog having many arguments about this topic.

I went into UNESCO website and it clearly written that “Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea” but it does not mention “Highest in SEA”.

If anyone of you have information to proof the above fact is incorrect, do let me know so that I can update here. I will do more researches on this topic and update here when I have time.

Meantime, don’t forget to come back here again to see what we had for our breakfast and lunch during our last (5th) day in Kota Kinabalu. Till then, Cheers !

Mount Kinabalu – Day 5