SOLO BACKPACKING- Discovering Sabah-KK Mountain (Part 2)

Day 9: 26 July 2008

Conquering Mount KK

I started the day early. I shared the dorm with 2 other boys, hence quietly packed and sneaked out of the room not wanting to wake them up. With the new package, we are served 4 meals, breakfast, packed lunch, dinner at Laban Rata and breakfast after climb and lunch at Blossom again. So while waiting for the park office to open, I went for my buffet breakfast (which hardly served nothing for vegetarians except for bread and butter with fruits. Sigh! Quickly requested for my packed lunch and went to the office to keep my backpack at the store room.

The best time to catch the perfect mount KK views is at 6.30 am.

As I was talking to the staff there, I spotted someone talking and enquiring about guide and accommodation in Malay to the staffs. I quickly approached them asking if they didn’t mind me joining their group. Zahara and her husband, Roslan was kind enough to include me. Not wasting anytime, we approached the counter to give our names and got our self a guide, a sixteen years old school boy named, Maikon.

We drove to Timphonan gate using Roslan and Zahara’s rented Kancil. Both me and Zahara headed to the little shop at the entrance to get our rubber shoes, which turn out to be the best shoe I ever owed for hikes! And it only cost my RM5.00. We started our journey at about 8.20 am, being one of the very first group to start the climb.

The little shop that sell amazing handy stuff. this is where i got my shoes.

As usual the first part of the hikes was the most tortures 1 km hikes up. The track was wet and rough and difficult. It’s all the way up, up and up. Zahara was almost giving up till she spotted the first shelter, Kandis hut.

The beginning of the climb and the many tracks:

The very first hut at 1 km

We only stopped for short break and continued our climb. Unfortunately we got stuck behind the sixteen teenagers with huge bags. The group was very slow and they were soon slowing us down too. Maikon understood that, by waiting it would only tired us even more, hence quickly rushed us up. While waiting for Zahara and Roslan, Maikon asked me to continue climbing. So I climbed and climbed and climbed and stopping only couple of minutes at the huts. Once you get the rhythm of your legs movement, its just feels like walking in the air.

The group of sixteen teenagers that slowed us down

In just two hours, as I was half way up i bumped into many climbers heading down form early morning climb. By 12.20 pm, in less then 4 hours, I reached Laban Rata. It was a personal record comparing to my previous climb. I was so proud of my self. Since the check in time was only after 1.pm. and the heater only starts after 2.30 p.m, I lingered at the restaurant enjoying my packed lunch of spring rolls and cheese bread. I saved some of my cheese bread and apple for early morning breakfast.

The second hut, Ubah..

Man caring 25-40 kg of food supply to Laban Rata

Third hut, Mempening..


Fourth hut, layang-layang...

Man training for climber ton




Fifth and final hut, Paka..

First shelter, Waras hut

Second and the heated and the largest shelter, Laban Rata..

The victory signboard

The beautiful flowers of the mountains:

I waited and waited and waited and there was still no sign of Zahara, Roslan or Maikon. I quickly bathed and headed down again. Even Muriel and Casper, my friend from Uncle Tan who started at 11 a.m, was already there at Laban Rata but there was no sign of my group. Finally at about 3.45 p.m. they arrived half dead. Except me, all of them were staying at the unheated Gunting Lagadan hut. Hence, they decided to linger there till dinner time. Dinner was suppose to be served at 5, but everyone started to eat by 4.20 p.m. We waited till the crowd eased down and started dinner at about 6 pm. There was nothing vegetarian except for plain rice and one stir fry vegetable (luckily with out any meat in it). Sigh! So pathetic, paid RM208 and had absolutely nothing to eat! But the rest had a feast.

We lingered till 7.30 p.m till the restaurant was closed and headed to our room to sleep. As usual I could not sleep.

Inside Laban Rata:

The room

My stuff that helped the climbing

The view from the cafe

Day 10: 27 July 2008

Follow The Thin White Rope

I was a wake up 12.30 a.m. Quickly refreshed, changed, packed and headed down for breakfast. Maikon promised to be there only at 2 am. At 1.15 am, the café was only surrounded by fellow Malaysian all eager to climb. Luckily it was not raining. I finished my cheese bread and apple and quietly waited for Maikon.

As promised he was there at 2 a.m. We quickly headed up to Gunting Lagadan hut to meet Zahara and Roslan. Even though it only a couple of meter up, climbing the stairs was real torturous. The cold weateher and thin air makes it difficult to climb. By the time I reached the hut, I was panting and half dead. I am blaming on the food for not having enough energy!

We started the climb at about 2.30 a.m as soon as the park guide opened the door. The first phase of the climb is the most torturous climb in the second half, as its stairs all the way up for at least 40 minutes. The track is so small; it could only accommodate one climber at a time. So if someone is slow, it going to cause massive traffic jam. Hence, Maikon asked to me to walk ahead. In cold pitched dark at about 3 a.m, with only my head light I walked up beginning my journey to a place called heaven. I walked and walked and walked till I finally reached the second phase. From here onwards, the climb is so steep that one need to use the rope. This is where you wish you were as light as a feather or have really good arm! I have neither, so so was half dead by the time i reached the third phase, the check point at Sayat-sayat hut.

From there, it was the final 45 minute climb, but with the cold weather it made it more difficult to push forward. My hands were already numb pulling the wet rope with bare hands. By now, the air was so thin, I hardly could breathe. The group above me was soon disaapering form my eyes. All I could see was spot of light couple of meters above the mountain. By then i was only accompanied by couple from Dutch. The higher we went, the difficult it was and more I stopped. So to make it easier I made my steps consistant. For every twenty step forward I stopped for 20 seconds. Not knowing where was or how far we were, they only indication would be the shout form the previous group upon reaching up there. And in just moment away, we heard the victory sound above and we headed up to join them. It was then sharp 5 am. I had one hour to kill before sunrises at about 6 a.m. So along with the boys and the dutch couple, I sat there in the dark cold freezing mountain, patiently waiting for sun rise. But once again, I was disappointed. No perfect sun but nevertheless, the view was magnificient.

My friends:

The mountain top view:

At about 8.30 a.m I reached Laban rata, packed my bag, checked out, took light breakfast and started my journey to Timphonan gate. I had to move fast as my legs was giving up on me. It was soon getteing wobbley. By the time I reached the Layang Layang hut, it completely went off. I was taking one step at a time. Soon Zahara and Roslan catched up with me. By the time we reached Timphonan Gate it was about 3 p.m.

Roslan drove us back to the Park Heaquaters and we collected our cert. We ate our luch at Blassom cafe and continued our journey in separates ways. I was going back to KK town while they were heading to Ranau town. I somehow manage to get the bus (from Sandakan) to take me back to the town. After 2 hours, I was finally back in KK town. Quickly got the first taxi there to take me to my hostel. I was so tired I went in and slept in my dirty sweaty muddy clothes. I woke up at abot 10.30 p.m. Quickly took shower and eat my dinner. It was pouring heavily so I just ate my instant cup noodle. At about 1 a.m. I slept feeling so sad that my joruney came to an end and I need to go home.

Note:

Accomadation:

Sutera Sanctuary
Lot G15 Ground Floor

Wisma Sabah

88000, Kota Kinabalu

Sabah, Malaysia
Phone: +60 88 243 629

Fax: +60 88 259 552

Email: info suterasanctuarylodges.com.my


Tel: +60 88 872 907 (KK Park)
Fax: +60 88 871 239

Ph: +60 88 889 086 (Laban Rata)
Fax: +60 88 889 091

Price and fees reffer:

http://www.suterasanctuarylodges.com/

http://www.sabahparks.org.my/

Special insident to be shared:

As I was climbing up the mountain, a guide asked me, so you are alone where is you friend. I said two of them are behind with guide. Not that friend but the other one. I was shocked and then replied "she left so I am on my own. I met another Malaysian and now climbing with them." Out of curiosity I asked, do you know me or seen me somewhere. He said yah at Manukan, TAR. "..and you can remember me?", I asked. He said yah, you guys the one taking pictures with the life guard. I smiled with embarrassement and left.

Then the next day i reached the Timpohnan gate and was walking towards Roslan's car when a taxi driver disturbed me asking if I wanted a cab. I said no and left. He smiled and said, "you are the one that left your hand phone is the car the other day right?". I was stopped immidietely and looked at him shock. "How do you know?". He replied, "I am Samsir friend that dropped you guys to the airport!". I smiled said thank you and left. So embarrassing !

Note: its either i did to much havoc, or people just seems to be liking my face and remembering me..another week or so in Sabah, more people would recognize me on the street!