Gunung Datuk Climb: Will to Climb (Adventure turned Misadventure turned Total Adventure) Negeri Sembilan

Will to Climb (Adventure turned Misadventure turned Total Adventure) with Jeremy 

I will start our story by saying, “this is a total adventure” for both of us. Gunung Datuk is not that high but our experience here is priceless.This mountain stands only 884m asl. Not that high but it is a solid 824-meter ascent from the initial base jump-off. Initially, Gunung Ledang is the main objective but we change course because of forces that beyond our control.

Originally I planned to go alone but I am happy that Jeremy joined me for this trip. The more the merrier as it goes but only 2 of us are available for this trip. All good to go except one. We do not have RM or Ringgit to be used for our trip. Everything’s fine except RM but we decided to find money changers in Malaysia since money changers in SG are close because of Chinese New Year.

A 360-view of Negeri Sembilan and its neighboring places from the summit of Gunung Datuk.

DAY 1 – 10 Feb 2013 THE GAME PLAN

Everything’s seems fine until we reached Woodlands Checkpoint and until Johor Bahru. From there we took taxi to Larkin Bus Terminal to catch the bus going to Tankak. Tangkak is our entry point to Gunung Ledang. We were so excited for the trip and scale Gunung Ledang. Gunung Ledang is a very popular mountain in Ledang District Northwestern Johor. It is popular for it became a training grounds for various climbers for its varied terrains including ladder and rope climbs and the infamous KFC or Killer For Climbers. Unfortunately, we missed the bus going to Tangkak. A small town in Ledang. We checked every ticketing outlet for any buses available to Tangkak but no more buses available. The next trip would be on the following day which is impossible for us since we are aiming for 1 day climb only. We almost gamble in taking any bus that will pass the diversion road to this placed but its unsafe according to them for the road during nighttime is unsafe with no cabs, no buses and only Jeremy and I walking down the road less travelled at night.

This sad news fuels our “Will to Climb” as we proceeded to our plan B. We want Gunung Datuk. A popular mountain in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Popular for its 800-meter solid ascent and the 360 deg view on the summit. Going there is a bit tough for we do not have so much information of this mountain. We do not know what to ride, how to ride and where to alight. 

We look for some hotspot to Goggle the place. We checked and tried to connect from McDonalds hotspot but cannot connect to their WiFi. Luckily, we found 3 Chinese guys and they let us use their phone as hotspot. These 3 guys are total strangers. Thankful indeed to these guys. Right attitude and communications skills are useful to such situations so do not be ashamed to talk to strangers. Thankful enough and we are now connected to the internet. There you have it! We have the basic info to go there. 

We look for the ticketing booth for Rembau Negeri Sembilan but the in-charge told us that the next bus will be on the following day. OMG. Again no more bus. Last option is to take bus to Semberan. The capital of Negeri Sembilan. At 11:45 pm we departed from Larkin Terminal in JB and supposedly will arrive in Semberan at 1am. 

Knowing that the trip is a bit long, we decided to take a nap. Jeremy really slept, we slept, woke up, slept again and woke up. I checked the time it is 1:30 am but still we have not arrive. I am thinking that maybe it is a really a long journey because we encountered some traffic jam because it is holiday. The next time we checked the place is that.........waaaa looks familiar according to Jeremy. Hey Riz this is KL (Kuala Lumpur). I said what?! We reached Kuala Lumpur. It is already 3:30 am and yes we are in KL. We ask the driver why he never stop to Seremban, our ticket clearly states “Seremban.” He replied, “the inspector told me that all are going to KL.” 

We alighted here in wander the place, the KL terminal. We said, never mind, let us find buses here to go back Seremban or maybe we can take a train. We checked the place but “all counters are closed.” Hu!! We checked the kiosk and still next trip for the buses and trains will be on the following day. Sounds hopeless but we remained calm and composed. We look for pay phones to connect to Jeremy’s GF but we cannot find anywhere. 

We went to a police station and talked to them and they let us use their phone but unable to connect. The officer suggested to take an “executive taxi” but need to bargain the fare. We hired the taxi for RM180 from KL to Rembau. Rembau is the nearest town to Gunung Datuk. We had left KL at 3:45 am. After 10 minutes, I saw a road sign, Semberan 76KM. I said, what it is 76KM from KL to Seremban? How about the initial travel time?Feeling puzzled but still I ermained calm. Approximately it is 76-80KM. So Far. Really far. We really slept well inside the bus and missed our stop.

Then I computed the distance of Rembau. Another 5KM from Semberan. During this time, we never sleep. We want to enjoy the ride. Inside our heads are; how the situation happened? It was a long journey and we knew it already that it is definitely a misadventure. When we are close to Rembau, we asked the cab driver if he knows Gunung Datuk and replied yes and we will just follow the road signs. We said okay, please take us to the jump-off to Datuk which is another 5KM from Rembau. We saw the road sign Gunung Datuk 5KM and another road sign Gunung Datuk 3KM and another Gunung Datuk 1KM. We were so happy because atlast we will reach Datuk and find a place to rest before climbing. 

To our dismay, after the last road sign we cannot locate the road sign for the entrance to the jump-off. We drove so far in the long stretch dark and silent road and stopped and turned around but still unable to locate the sign. After few tries, still we cannot find it so we told the driver to take us to the nearest town. The driver dropped us to a taxi stand and a bus stop around Rembau area. The flag meter registered RM300+ including extra charge. We really thought he will ask for extra charge but luckily he just asked RM180 but we gave him RM200. Thank you Mr Cab driver. You are so good and kind to us.

Top-Bottom, L-R: Kuala Lumpur, True Trail, Wrong Trail, Taxi Stand in Rembau.

Day 2 – 11 Feb 2013 WILL TO CLIMB

This taxi stand became our place to take refuge, we pulled our McDonalds food that we bought from Larkin and eat. Our dinner was only burger. We pulled some supplies from our bag. Good thing that we are prepared for this. Before we leave we weigh our bags. Jeremy carried full pack of 6kg and me 10kg full pack of clothing, food, water and medical supplies. Jeremy asked me if I am damn serous with the weight of my bag. I said yes. He just said sweet! Waa sweet is the term now. While eating we talked and discussed things and experiences. We agreed in many aspects like this situation. Our motivation was positive and really fuelled our “Will to Climb.” We said to ourselves, “we want adventure right.?” “This is it, we want to climb mountains, we have to have it all. This is what it takes. This is it, just deal with it and think positive.”

After eating we pulled out some of our stuffs like jackets and sleeping bags and removed our shoes to give our feet a rest. However, situation like this, I really cannot sleep. While Jeremy is sleeping, I am wandering the place. Go toilet, check the perimeter etc. I really cannot sleep. No matter how I changed position, sitting, leaning on the table. Hu! cannot sleep. At 6:00 am, I felt like chilling. Don’t know why so I find some hot drinks. I found 7-11 outlet but no coffee. So I bought a noodle and sip some hot soup but the noodle I really cannot understand the taste so I never eat it up. At 6:30 in the morning, still dark and quiet. 

Atlast at 7:00 am the first taxi arrived but the driver cannot speak English so well. Luckily, an auntie who can speak both Malay and Chinese had helped us to communicate with the cab driver. She also gave us instructions. This taxi is the same taxi we hired after our climb. The cab driver is nice. He became our personal driver at that time and he knows the place very well. At around 8:00 am we have reached the jump off and we registered for RM5 for the climb. The taxi driver gave us his contact number so that we can call him after our climb. As if we have a Malaysian number. Lol. Luckily, park in-charge promised to help us to contact our taxi after the climb.

After registration, we climb Datuk. We thought that everything’s fine. We trekked for long hours. Followed every markings so that we will not get lost in the middle of the thick jungle. After almost 1 1/2hr of following the marks. We found out that no more marks after the last mark. We searched the area but unable to see it. We discussed the matter saying that probably we followed a wrong mark. We decided to go further, go up and find an open space to check the summit if visible and make it as reference point. 

However, the terrain is so deceiving, no open space and there is an unending steep ascent. We figured out that we are lost. During this time, the time is around 9:00 am+ but still a bit dark because the sunlight cannot penetrate the lower part of the jungle. We remained calm and pulled out my knife. Jeremy made markings as we go further. I blew my whistle but no response. At first we really do not think we are lost. We just think that maybe the climbers are so fast that we cannot find them. 

We figured out that no trails, no grass or plants that are flattened. As in no trace from climbers ahead of us. The terrain here is so steep. We encountered mossy boulder, streams, thorny plants and insects. Got some rashes and scratches after this. After this, we decided to turn around. Trace our markings until the last visible marks. As we walked we come up to a decision that we will go down fast and talk to the rangers and climb again via the true trail.” So we go down fast enough, managed the steep terrain and go straight to the ranger’s house and ask few things. 

The in-charge told us that we should never follow that trail. That is the boundary marks. They said that we followed a wrong and dangerous trail for we wandered into an unknown territory. By right, we dubbed this as the “first attempt via that route.” We are lost in dense jungle for 2 hours. Hahahah but for us, it’s part of our journey. It is the question of how we manage things in an unfavorable situation like this. Key things are: remain CALM, POSITIVE THINKING and PRAY. Disaster usually happens if we panic.

After having a sufficient knowledge of the trail, we climb again and there it is, a clear trail. We said what!!!, this trail is nothing compared to our first “trail” and laugh out loud. You start climbing around 60m from the base of the mountain and it is a solid 824-meter ascent. The terrain is relatively easy for experienced and conditioned climbers. Lots of uprooted roots and vegetations along the way. 

There are leeches also. I got 2 leaches marks and I am bleeding. This is all up terrain. We met lots of climbers ascending and descending with various races and backgrounds. We met students, kids, professionals like the 2 American Environmentalists.

This time we are in a speed climb mode but we couldn’t really speed up for we cant overtake some climbers in some specific points of trails. After quite some time we have reached the campsite, roughly 30-50m from the highest point of the summit. It's damn nice. However, before you reach this you will negotiate some very steep slopes and you will noticed 2 false summits wherein you can take rest.

Enjoying our stay on Gunung Datuk's fantastic summit.

We have reached the summit at around 2:00 pm (i’l check logsheet from Jeremy’s watch). Picture taking there, met some friends, felt the breeze, and enjoyed the beautiful view. So sad that we never experience sunrise here and If ever we are not lost we surely experience clouds and sunrise here. Anyway never mind, its okay.

Some said it is a small mountain, but when you are up there you will feel that you are SMALLER. A dot only.

Our way to the summit is that, we climb 4 ladders. Since the summit is made of huge boulders, you need to climb ladders. These ladders are secured but a bit shaking because of strong winds. You need to have a good grip here, if do not have surely you fall. We spend more or less 30 minutes to the summit. We enjoyed every spot of the summit. Picture taking, taking videos, eating taking. 

We decided to go down when we saw dark clouds. We said to ourselves that we need to reach the base before the rain starts pouring and we need to catch the last bus. We go down in speedy mode. Run, jump hop. Again some point you cannot for it is almost vertical for some area of the trail. We overtake some descending climbers and they asked why in a hurry. I smiled and say, we want to catch the last bus to SG. We reach the base safe and sound. Jeremy reached the base first. He also took a shower from the stream. We relax a bit and changed up clothes. My clothes can squeeze and see the sweat flowing. After this we go to the ranger’s HQ and have a bit of conversation with them. These guys are nice and they also helped us to call our taxi.

Our way to the summit of Gunung Datuk.

After 15mins, there he is our personal driver. Having no enough sleep and food and the initial mess, we cannot believe we made it. Hahaha, proceeded to Sri Kendang, a typical food like hawker center. The food was nice and one crew there was damn pretty. She always smile. 

We ate because we are starving, also our driver we invited for lunch but refused and ordered only tea but we treat him a bottled tea drink. He drove us to the nearby place called Tampin. From there we say goodbye to our good friend cab driver. 

We check the bus going to JB but this bus is leaving at 7:15 pm. We wanted to leave early so we checked the train service for JB. We asked bystanders if where is the train station, some said I do not know, and others said it is near Maybank. Good thing Jeremy can speak a bit of Malay, if not wow. Alama, the train station is around 1.5KM. We walked there and check. OMG no more train service, full already. Aiyo.

No choice but to go back to bus terminal, but we do not want to walk again that far. So tired already. No bus, no taxi. Guess what, we hitchhike. We saw a delivery truck and they offered as a ride up to near the bus terminal. Thanks for these guys. Two thumbs up. So kind.

After this, we checked the bus service and to our surprise the bus that supposedly leaving at 7:15 pm was already full. We asked for any buses going JB, he said no more. Last chance, is the LAST BUS going Melaka. From there we checked buses. We managed to board this last bus to Melaka.

While onboard, we tried to call some friends but unfortunate things happened. Remy's phone cannot be used for some Malaysian lines. So we asked favor from a Malaysian lady. A passenger of this bus also and she let us used her phone. Thank you lady. After some time we have reached Melaka. A Portuguese-inspired place that will surely captured one's attention once you see this place.  

When we arrived there, we right away checked every ticketing outlet. So unfortunate, the next bus is on the following day. I said cannot, I will work tomorrow. Remy (Jeremy) purchased a Malaysian line for him to call his friend and her girlfriend but so sad they are not around. 

We decided to hire a taxi for RM80 but we need to find another 2 passengers to share the cost of this trip. Going to SG via taxi from JB is actually a long trip and an expensive trip for both of us. It is also too long to find extra passengers. We even roam around and asked passengers to go with us. To share cost with us. We even talked so loud like barkers looking for 2 more passengers. We said "we need 2 passengers to share with us." Howver, some passengers have already booked other taxis and buses.

Top-Bottom, L-R: Hitchhiking in Tampin, Melaka Terminal, Melaka Sentral.

We told the cab driver to keep looking and we will take our dinner first and call us if he can find 2 more passengers. We were heading to TESCO and we were in the middle of the skywalk, enjoying the view and talking of having a very good food when suddenly Remy’s phone rings and there you are 2 passengers and ready to go. Huh!, no choice, even hungry we go back to the terminal and go.

The trip is long, really long. From Melaka to JB. We experienced traffic jams and saw red lights from the tail lights of the vehicle in front of us. Looks like VIP lights. Hahhaa. When we reached JB, we wanted to eat Ramly burger, they said it is very nice but grrrr again no more. We eat our dinner there, a place like street food and hawker type but serves very good food. I ordered fried catfish and kambing soup. So yummy, while Remy ordered Ayam and Veges.

We said that we are almost home. After eating we go directly to Imigresen and thats it. All okay. All fine. Up to the Immigration in SG. We were so happy at last we will reach home. We proceeded to bus waiting area for Bus950 that will go to Woodlands. It was already midnight when we have reached Woodlands SG. 

Day 3 – 12 Feb 2013

We waited for so long knowing that no more bus. We said, again!!! Wa, Hey Remy what do you want to do, taxi or hitch hike. LOL..we noticed the bus 170 going to Kranji, we took this bus and arrive to Kranji MRT and decided to take taxi but we saw that there is a last train that will pass Woodlands. We ran to the platform and managed to catch the last train. After this, HOME SWEET HOME. I arrived home at 1am.

For some our experiences are nothing, for some it was a horrible experience that they do not want to happen to them. For us, no matter what; you must deal with the situation. We want adventure, there it is but managed it well. Treasured it also. Gutsy attitude will also help. Great help actually. No guts no Glory as it goes. Need to have guts to talk to other people. Need guts to do things that you think you cannot. You will also discover your hidden talents and skills when terrible things happened. Just be calm and deal with it. This experience will soon help you. For us, this was TOTAL ADVENTURE. 

Day 3 & 4-- Reaching New Heights: Mt Kinabalu (4, 095.2m asl) Borneo

Mt KK Trip: Pampering Ourselves at Gaya Centre Hotel and Our Way Back Home

After our recent success on Mt Kinabalu, the group will have a short stay at Gaya Centre Hotel to pamper themselves. It is located in the heart of Kota Kinabalu. This hotel is pre-booked by our travel agency. If you travel double check your bookings if this hotel stay is included. Most of travel agencies arranging trips like this arranged everything including hotel stay after the climb.

Day 3 -- Arrival to the Gaya Centre Hotel (28 Oct)

Past 7:00 pm, we have reached the hotel. Thanks to our driver Tom for a smooth drive from Kinabalu HQ to the hotel. All members of the team are tired but still the general mood is in ecstasy. Summitting a 4, 095.2m above sea level mountain is a feat that not all people can do. A self-fulfilling experience.

Our good friend and tourist guide Tom.

As we disembark from our service van, our bodies screaming. Screaming because of body pain. Each one of us complained of having muscles pains. This is natural for such activity so we proceeded to unload our bags and all of our gears. Luckily, bell boys had helped us to unload our things and carry some of our things in our respective rooms.

We occupied 4 rooms in total. Previous partnering before our climb was the norm. My roommate is Allan. After all of our packs had been set into place inside the room we check each of everyone of us. This is to make sure that all of us are okay. After doing so, we set our things and we rested a bit before having our dinner. As dinner is not pre-arranged, most of the team members had there dinner outside the hotel. Luckily, food stalls and resto are widely available around the hotel. My sister told me to go with them but I refused and ask for take out foods instead. When they are out to find dinner, I lay on my back and stretch my whole body especially my legs to relax myself. After which, I opened my pack and unload all my wet gears and clothing. Wet because of sweat. Gears from head to toe are really wet that I can squeeze out my sweat in it. I hanged these gears inside the toilet and have a hot bath. After pampering myself with a hot bath I jumped into my bed and relaxed myself. The bed was soft. So soft that I instantly fall asleep.

Approximately after an hour, the room-phone rang and to my surprised my sister and my roommate are waiting for me to open the door. My sister brought me food. Wow, my favorite fish fillet and fries both came in 2 servings. This is too much I said but she just smiled and told me to eat the foods to regain my strength. Thank you sissy.

After our dinner, my roommate and I checked our summitters and Via Ferrata certificates and took photo of those. We stare at these certificates for a long time. Probably more than 15 minutes thinking that we still cannot believe what had happened this day. Too shallow and ordinary for some especially to those who are really experienced mountaineers that have reached higher mountains than us. However, for us it was indeed a pretty good experience to treasure. Summitting Mt Kinabalu at 4, 095.2 meters above sea level and completing its Lows Peak Circuit Via Ferrata at 3, 776 meters above sea level in 2 days time during monsoon season with fluctuating weather and temperature dropped 4 deg C excluding windhill are no easy tasks to complete. We are indeed lucky to complete the feat and we thank God for this awesome experience.

Day 4 – Way Back Home (29 Oct)

Exactly 8:00 am, most of the team members were already awake and ready for breakfast. Some were still sleeping and enjoying the soft touch of our beds and comforters. Ryan, Moth and I were the first persons to get up from our beds and immediately walked through the hall way going to the food hall. Today, we will eat as much as we can for we had avail a buffet breakfast.

I was so delighted upon seeing the various foods on the table. I noticed various cuisines. OMG, I wanted to eat all if I can. I noticed Malaysian traditional cuisines. Mediterranean, American, and other cuisines are also prepared. Fruits and veggies are free flowing too so choose and pick what you wanted to eat.

Having our breakfast. L-R: Ryan, Moth, Me.

Few minutes have past, other team members arrived and pick up plates and choose their food of choice. Some chose beef-based cuisines and some picked seafoods. I chose of course my favorite seafood based cuisines. Last night I had a pretty good fish fillet and now another bite of fish. Well, nothing wrong with that except maybe you end up smells fishy too. Joke. Pun intended guys.

Lastly, I picked some fruits especially watermelon and honeydew. I also took some deserts like chocolates and ice cream. Well, these will surely replenish whatever amounts of calories, fats and cholesterol I have burned in climbing Mt Kinabalu. I must replenish.  

Ryan, Moth and I ate on same table and we discussed things about our recent success. Still fresh from our climb, we teased each other about the German beautiful lady that we have met along the trail. That lady is climbing the mountain with no ther companion except her mountain guide. The lady also told me that she is working in Kuala Lumpur. I never had a chance to get her mobile number or even chat with her for so long since our pacing is different from her but I remember we noticed her when we were eating at Laban Rata Restaurant. This restaurant is situated just below Pendant Hut. Also all climbers who reached Laban Rata eat here in buffet style. There you will have the chance to eat what you wanted to eat and meet other climbing group. When you climb Mt Kinabalu, always think of the delicious food that awaits you there. This is your chance for carbo-loading.

Hmmm enough talk for the Laban Rata experience and with that pretty Germany lady.

While we are eating our breakfast, we are enjoying the cool wind that touches our face. Our dining place is on the veranda. We enjoyed the beautiful view of the Kota Kinabalu. We can see passersby on the street just below the hotel. We have noticed speed boats and yachts passing by the sea. We enjoyed the beautiful horizon. We really proclaimed God’s beautiful creation. Thank you God for letting us enjoy and experience what you have created.

When the rest of the group finished their breakfast we returned to our respective rooms to prepare our things for check out. We are scheduled to check out at 12:00 noon. Allan and I started to pack our things while other team members explored the place. Since we have barely 3 hours left for check out, other members went to the nearby park and take photos. Of course we do not want to go home without photos for photos are very precious to us. Photos will speak million words about our experiences. Others also bought some souvenirs like mug, key chains and shirts. Mine was a shirt with Mt Kinabalu summit print on it.

Checking in AK5301 bound for Johor Bahru

After these extra-curricular activities, we are all set for check out. Tom, our Malaysian driver arrived earlier than expected. He helped us load our packs to the van and he drove us to Kota Kinabalu Airport. Our flight AK5301 to Johor Bahru will be at 1:25 pm and ETA to JB is at 3:40 pm. After few minutes we have reach KK Airport and we say goodbye to our driver and friend Tom who has been a very good driver, a tourist guide and a friend to us. See you next time Tom.

At 12:25 pm we boarded the Air Asia plane bound for Johor Bahru. We sleep the whole duration of the flight since we are all tired. The rest of the flight was smooth. No air pockets.

Five minutes before the ETA, we touched down Senai International Airport in Johor Bahru Malaysia. After we checked out our packs all team members gathered near the information counter to have final words with each other. This was our last chance to chitchat before we bade goodbye to each other. We split the group for easier transport through express taxi that will take us straight to our homes in Singapore. We are being grouped depending on our locations. Moth, Allan, Honey, Mike and I were all in the same cab.

Past 5:00 pm, we have reached our place at Marine Parade. Honey, Mike and I put down all of our packs inside our flat. We sit down a bit and decided to go to the nearest hawker center for our dinner. We had a heavy dinner consisting of fish soup, char kway teow, hokkien prawn mee and bak kut teh, apple juice and coke. These foods will do the rest and cure our deep down hunger and thirst.

We were very silent while eating our dinner. We were all tired. We just eat and eat. After eating we slowly walked home and rest. We cannot forget this once in a lifetime experience that we had. We enter into our room and we sleep early but what’s running inside our heads is the feat that we completed.

Day 3-Part 2 -- Reaching New Heights: Mt Kinabalu (4, 095.2m asl) Borneo

Mt KK Trip: Day 3-2- The Sweet Descent (28 Oct)

The whole day of activities of summitting Mt Kinabalu at 4, 095.2m asl and completing its Lows Peak Circuit Via Ferrata at 3, 776m asl are the most memorable (ofcourse) times of this trip. However, like other mountaineering expeditions; climbers must complete the journey by leaving the mountain safe and sound.

At exactly 1:45 pm, the guides have informed us that we need to start packing our things and the descend will commence as soon as we are ready. They have reiterated that we must start to go down and reach Timpohon Gate before sunset. They strongly discouraged us to go down late as it is not permitted and unsafe. Unsafe because it is tough to negotiate the terrain when dark and nocturnal wild animals are also starting to go out. We do not have a choice but to quickly pack up and leave the mountain smoothly.

Today's journey started when we all woke up at 1:00 am to prepare for summit bid and started climbing at 2:00 am and finish at 1:00 pm. We need atleast 3 to 4 hours to go down and reach Timpohon Gate. Sooner or later we will arrive to the foot of the mountain by 6:00 pm. So tough that on the same day you are in a very long hours climbing and descending Mt Kinabalu. However, it is worth it.

All set and ready for a " Sweet Descent"

At 2:00 pm, all things are packed and we started to go down. Really sad but we need to go down. We wanted to stay there for one more night to enjoy the mesmerizing view of the mountain but we cannot. Over staying there is prohibited for we only booked one night stay at Pendant Hut. Doing so will cause inconvenience to the other climbers. Booking for Mt Kinabalu climb can be done a week before for regular summit climb only. However, booking the climb itself plus doing the Via Ferrata must be done 2-3 weeks ahead of time for participants that will do the Via Ferrata will stay at Pendant Hut (3, 289m asl). A hut exclusively prepared for those who will take the Ferrata. This booking is First Come First Serve Basis. So must book ahead of time. 

Before we go down, we say a little prayer and ask guidance from God. We checked the time and temperature. Weather is also fine. We had left Pendant Hut at exactly 2:00 pm with fair weather and at 9 deg C. Full gear ahead; waterproof jackets and trekking pants on. Batteries for our headlights were also being set just in case we will be caught in the middle of the dark.

Hardcore climbers are so fast that they go down and negotiate varied terrains like kangaroos hopping and hopping from one place to another. My sister and I, also Mike and Moth are left behind. We slowly go down, chitchatting, enjoying the view and managing terrains very carefully. 

Tired because of the whole day activity, we felt that our knees are slowly giving up. Every step of going down is really painful. Really taxing. So taxing that our knees are absorbing the weight of our body. Thanks to our trekking pole that we can transfer our weights to the pole. Thus, reduce our agony.

Adding to the injury, we can really feel that we are getting weaker as we go down. Due to the high altitude and fatigue. We tend to stop always to take a breather. Our minds are saying go on anyway we are going down now but our body and our knees want to surrender. We sometimes joked that "Now what? Who told us to climb and now complain" and we all laugh out loud.

I can still remember that every KM or kilometer mark there is a hut for the climbers to rest. We also count these marks. Not just counting actually, we always looking for the marks both the kilometer mark and the half-kilometer mark. We take noticed of these marks since we are so tired and we are thinking that "o the last mark is near." Psychologically relieving somehow. Every time we encountered the mark we say "here comes the 4.5km mark, the 4km mark, the 3.5km mark so on so forth." 

I can also remember that we were the last group to descend the mountain on that day. Although, there were few mountain guides and porters going up and down along the way; the mountain was generally quiet and clear. We felt that we owned this day. 

What we have observed are animals like squirrels, wild boars, bats, birds, snakes, and wild dears. We also enjoyed the fantastic view of the mountain. I can see pitcher plants and plants that are unique to my eyes. We can also hear the sounds of nature. The whistling sounds of the wind and the branches and leaves that sway as the wind blows.

Half-way of the mountain, the weather suddenly changed. This is 3KM mark (2, 455m asl). We encountered thick mist. So sudden that we never notice as it changed. The wind blew strong and cold. We chill a bit. However, as we reach the lower part of the mountain (somewhere 1.5KM at 2, 164m asl) we felt the breeze and experienced the weather and the temperature of "almost reaching the sea level." But this altitude is still high, it is above 2, 000m above sea level. Anything can still happen. Actually Acute Mountain Sickness occurs at this point. Since we are going down, AMS was never an issue for us now unlike the time when we are still climbing this mountain.

At this point. The wind still cool but not the same when you are on top of the mountain. Temperature rises. Weather becomes predictable. So we removed our jackets/shells. Single layer shirt and pants will suffice at this point since we continue to sweat because we are moving. Our bodies become hotter.

The Carson Fall.

When we reached the 1KM mark at 2, 039m asl we can hear the sound of water splashing. It is actually the Carson Fall. We really thought that we are very close to the foot of the mountain. Psychologically speaking, our pace became faster. There was a point when we ran down because we were very excited to see the fall. 

We are dismayed to know that we are still far from the fall and far from Timpohon Gate. Our energy drained. However, we never give up. We just continue walking down at slow pace. We motivated ourselves that we will reach Carson Fall and the Gate on time. The guides told us that after 6:00 pm the Timpohon Gate keepers will close the gate and we can never go out until the next morning so we are really determined to reach the gate before 6:00 pm. We also joked that there is a big feast waiting for us once we reach the gate. I really think of foods. Lots of it actually.

What is this Carson Fall actually? This fall is located on summit trail about 15 minutes from Timpohon Gate. It is not huge but pretty high and very good for photography. It is also said that once you go down the mountain and you hear the water splashing means you are close to the gate. They also told us that it will create a psychological impact on climbers that are going down thinking that you are close to the starting point. Well, it is true. It happened to us.

After all these, even tired and our energy drained. We continued walking and walking and walking. Hopping here in there. Jogging here and there. Managing different terrains. Listening to music. Chitchatting. At last we have reach Carson Fall. We took photos of course. We take a breather and enjoyed the view. Thank God for creating all these magnificent views.

Fifteen minutes away from the gate, we continued walking. However, despite very close to Timpohon gate we still felt that we are too far from the gate. Probably because we are very tired already. Very thirsty. I finished my 1.5L water from my Nalgene container. Even a drop of it no more. So my sister shared her remaining drops of water to me and we continue walking.

Few meters away we can hear our teammates loud voice as they chitchat about our recent success on Kinabalu. I continued walking despite tired and thirsty. About 50 meters away from the gate I can now see them but to my dismay I need to negotiate a staircase up to the gate. OMG. I hate stairs because it is so taxing to the knees. I proceeded but on the last part I almost crawl to reach the last point of Timpohon Gate. At last, we are here at Timpohon Gate at 6:00 pm. Actually 6:10 pm. Gate keepers never close the gate too. 

The first thing I asked from them is water. They gave me water to drink. This quenched my thirst but not deep down body thirst. I shed lots of sweat and fats and muscles and cholesterol. Hahaha. Burned a lot. 

Few minutes had past our van arrived to fetch us and guess what our driver will drive us straight to Gaya Centre Hotel. A famous hotel in Kota Kinabalu. There, we will stay for a night and will pamper ourselves before flying back to Singapore on the next day. But before going to the hotel, we will still drop by to the Mt Kinabalu Park. We will get our certificates from the HQ. It is about 7-10 minutes drive from the gate to the HQ.

Mt Kinabalu National Park.

Before reaching the gate, we stopped along the famous overview park wherein you can take photos of the Kinabalu National Park and of course you can take photos and the background is Mt Kinabalu.

After our last picture taking with the guides, our driver and circle of friends; we boarded our van and proceeded to the HQ. On and during the ride and even before stopping along the park for picture taking I already felt lethargic. I felt muscle pain and spasms to my entire body. When I go up and down the van my legs aching. Quadriceps screaming. I fall asleep the entire ride from the over view park to the Gaya Hotel. The ride took around 20 minutes and when I opened my eyes here we are Gaya Centre Hotel.

After a long journey we will pamper ourselves to the beautiful and elegant accommodation of the Hotel. Surely, I will eat a lot. All inside my head during this time is food. I am so hungry that I wanted to eat as much as I can. Come and join me... 

Day 3-Part 1 -- Reaching New Heights: Mt Kinabalu (4, 095.2m asl) Borneo

Mt KK Trip: Day 3-1-Summit Bid and LPC Via Ferrata (28 Oct)

This is it!!! I woke up so early, around 12 midnight. Still raining, OMG I hope we can summit and the Lows Peak Circuit Via Ferrata (LPC) will not be cancelled. I slowly set off my bed and went to the toilet to hmmmmm....Nevermind. I checked my gears and ate some bread and sipped some Sabah Tea. I checked the temperature drop, wow 9 degrees Celsius. At 1:00 am the rest of the group is preparing.

All set and the guides are here! We set off at 2:00 am for summit bid and meet to 7.5KM for the Lows Peak Circuit Via Ferrata. When we set off, the rain has stopped but the temperature and the wind conditions are unpredictable. The road to summit is never been easy. We passed some stairs, rock scrambling with water flowing and all sorts of terrain. You need a very good shoes for this. Preferably waterproof with good soles with good traction. As we go, hardcore guys are so fast that we cannot keep up with them. Anyway, it is not a race but a race of time to catch up LPC at 7:30 am. Once you are late, sorry no LPC Via Ferrata.

Honey and Mike are left behind with the guides and unfortunately for some reasons they turned backed. So sad that I cannot summit together with them especially with my sister for we planned this for so long. However, it is okay. I motivated myself to summit for my sister Honey and Mike.

Lows Peak Circuit Via Ferrata (LPC -- 3, 776m asl) Sections and Highlights. Mt Kinabalu. Borneo

I am also thinking of giving up but what's the point if I know I can still go on. I trust the guide to take care of my sister and Mike in going back to Laban Rata. So I continued climbing even lagging behind the others. Moth is the nearest team mate I can reach if distress will come. I climbed without guides behind me. I just followed Moth's trail and pace. Moth became my guide during that time.

When I reached the terrain wherein I need to hold the ropes, I prayed and asked God's guidance and strength. The rock terrain is slippery and the ropes is wet. I continue to hold the ropes and I never slip. Thank God for your guidance. Thank you also Mountain Design shoes. The soles got very good grip, very good traction that even I missed out the ropes I never slip.

After this section, I managed to coped up with Moth. Actually, Moth waited for me. We climbed together, stopped together, sit together. I always asked him, how many more hours? How many more meters? He just said, "just continue walking, don't mind the time or distance. We will surely reach there."

So we continue walking, climbing, holding the ropes. At last, we have reached the first stop. The Sayat-Sayat checkpoint. Sayat-Sayat checkpoint is a point wherein climbers are being validated. Identification card issued by the park are being check at this point. However, during our climb; they never implemented such rule. Probably because of heavy rain.

Adding to the injury, after we passed the shelter at few hundred meters. The rain started pouring again. At 4:00 am, the rain poured heavily. Once you are on the top of Mt Kinabalu, climbers are totally exposed. No trees or big rocks to hide. Turning back is hard. You must commit to the mountain. You belong there already. All climbers must do is to deal with the climate of the mountain. The temperature hover to 4.5 degrees Celsius plus the wind chill. Including the wind chill, for sure it is below 4.5 degrees. The wind chill hit my face and my lips and the tip of my tongue cracked. I also noticed "crystal-like" to the leaves of the vegetation during the summit climbed. Maybe ice or what. I do not know. Plus, if you come unprepared you will end up hypothermia. You really shiver to your bones.

I saw climbers wearing only down jackets. Down jackets are not waterproof. They chill and holding each other. I hope they are okay. This group is from Indonesia. If you wear down jackets under the rain, you must have a hard shell. Hard shells are generally waterproof to protect you from elements like rain, snow, and of course windchill. Windchill is a very cold wind that will hit your body. It is colder than the surface temperature.

In my case, I thank my gears 'coz I came there prepared. My shoes is Gore-Tex and my jacket is waterproof. I never experience chilling. I am dry from head to toe. My only problem was that the water managed to sipped in my water resistant gloves. Moth suggested to use heat packs. I opened my HotHands and squeezed it and the gloves slowly dried up.

The first traverse. Temp: 4 deg C, Windchil: 0 deg C

At first I used my Clima Barrier SoftShell jacket. This is only water resistant but managed to survived for 35 minutes of heavy rain. After that I used the Westcomb Polartec Neoshell through out the summit bid and it really kept me dry. The Icebreaker thermals also kept me dry, the Ski Merino socks same, thus, I felt warm.

My buff also gave added warmth to my neck, so with my Arctic Fox beanie.

Somewhere over the trail, our guide who helped my sister and Mike managed to coped up with us. He passed me Honey's pair of gloves and the iPhone. This guy is really fast and nice.

As we almost reached 7KM mark, Ryan regrouped with us. Now, Ryan, Moth and I worked together. However, I made a decision not to continue to the summit. I am thinking of staying to the junction for Lows Peak Circuit at 7.5KM mark. I really thought I cannot reach the summit for I thought the time was against us. Moth never agreed, he said "if you will stay there for sure you will chill, for you are not moving." He suggested to continue as still early and the time is still with us.

My plan is this. I will wait for them and give up the summit bid and take LPC instead. Moth strongly disagreed. So I continue. We continued. We climbed, we walked under the rain and cold wind. I noticed some climbers are now descending too fast for they chill. I also noticed that the hardcore climbers have already reached the top and now going down. Amiel, Allan and Nesty are among the first people there.

I never get intimidated. I continue to walk and I saw the end of the line, a cliff. As I lean on the right side I saw the summit. The summit a bit crowded. Not a bit. Really crowded. Few more meters and we will reach the summit. We experienced boulders, scrambling here and there. 

After few minutes, here we are. We have reached the Lows Peak at 4095.2m above sea level. Hardwork pays. My summit climb is for my sister and Mike. Also for my family. We stayed there for short span of time. Enough to take some photos and enjoyed the view. The scent of the summit.

There I experience the coldest temperature I've been through. Now, I opened my emergency blanket and it really works.

After the summit climbed we rushed through the 7.5KM mark for LPC Via Ferrata.

Summit of Mt Kinabalu (4, 095.2m asl) L-R: Me, Ryan, Moth. 

When we reached the junction, our group members are waiting for us. Ryan reached the junction last but still our Via Ferrata guides are late not us.

So we took some pictures of the scenery. We observed the place as the wind chill hit us to our bones. As I am wearing enough gears I passed my emergency blanket to my group mate. The temperature at this level is so cold, it is not a joke. Really really cold.

After few minutes, we have a glimpse of our guides. Yes here they are.

The German couple with there guides went first for the LPC. After we set our gears, the harnesses and the ropes we are ready to go. The guides split us into two groups. Moth, Ryan and I for the first group and Amiel, Nesty and Allan for the second group.

At 3776m above sea level, Mt Kinabalu's Lows Peak Circuit Via Ferrata became Asia's First and World's Highest Via Ferrata. Certified by Guinness World Records. Successful climbers will also be validated and certified by the Kinabalu HQ and will receive two certificates stating the elevation reached and a separate Via Ferrata certificate with Guinness' seal

At first I got some fear but I do not have fear of heights. Overcoming fears doesn't mean no fear. No fear for me means death. If you have no fear, you tend to be careless and if you are careless accidents happen. As we started the first loop, I enjoyed the overall view of Kinabalu. We go down a bit, then traversed to the left, then going down and traverse again. Loop unloop. Smear to the wall, hold the cracks, hold the steps and the cable.

Here, if you drop something; all you can say is "GOODBYE." It belongs to the Mountain now. At 3, 776m asl, I don't think you can still retrieve your things once you dropped it. So, take care of your things and take care of yourself too. 

Doing Via Ferrata is like doing rock climbing, I am not very good with it but it really helped me. Since I am short, some of the steps I really cannot reach so I used rock climbing techniques like smearing and rappelling type of styles. Thank you to my shoes again, my shoes is so sticky. Its grip and traction is very good even to wet surfaces.

LPC Via Ferrata Junction (3, 776m asl)  

Rock climbing skills are not prerequisite for LPC Via Ferrata but the skills will help you to make the Ferrata easier and more exciting. Some climbers are scared because they think that maybe the cable, lanyards and connectors cannot hold their weights. I would like to stress that Via Ferrata is very safe. I knew since I used to go wall and rock climbing. The gears are almost the same. The harnesses are strong enough to hold you. The connectors or carabiners have 28KN each for the capacity. The lanyard is more than 15KN and the dynamic rope is around 9.5-10mm that can resist impact during falls. That is why I wasn't scared of hanging there especially the swinging Lebanese bridge section. The LPC is 1.2KM long with vertical height traverse of 365 meters.

I will rate all section of the LPC as 10/10. It is really gravity defying, exhilarating, thrilling and exciting. Any adjective to use for this?

During the entire LPC experience, I felt more human. The more dangerous situation you are in the more you feel that you are indeed a human being.

I really love all sections of LPC especially all the bridges and the first traverse going to the left. When the water pours like a small falls wherein you will step and hold in a slippery wall. It is a big wall actually.

According to the guides, the normal LPC will take 5 hours to finish. The record holder is about 1 hr 29 mins and the slowest is 13 hours. Walk the Torq on the other hand is easy to finish since the route length is 430 meters with a vertical height traverse of 109 meters and the highest point is 3520 meters only. So sad I forgot the figures for the record holder. Walk the Torq is also a Via Ferrata. Only that the starting point is different from LPC. The overall length, height and time duration are shorter than the LPC. Degree of difficulty is also different. It is much easier than LPC.

We ended up the LPC near the tropical jungle area. We started 7:30 am and ended up 10:30 am.

However, this is not the end of the LPC activity. LPC activity includes short walk around 300 meters inside the tropics going to the jump off for Walk the Torq section. LPC activity is from LPC start section of 3776 meters -end to jungle section - walk down to the tropics - start again to the Walk the Torq section.

The Walk the Torq starting point is near Sayat-Sayat check point but for LPC programme, climbers will meet near the intersection after the tropics.

After we finish the LPC, we rested around the tropic area. We hydrate ourselves, eat some chocolates and raisins. After that, the second group proceeded to walk down the tropics and started the Walk the Torq. We originally from the first group left behind for I am a bit exhausted. With no more water left I asked water from Ryan. I almost fall down to my knees as I walked through the tropics. Maybe I am just hungry. No more energy. Ryan and I have decided to walk through Pendant Hut and give up the Walk the Torq but unfortunately there are no other way home but to cross the Torq. Moth motivated us by joking about the German sexy lady saying that she is waiting for us there. He then gave me a chocolate.

Our Prize. LPC Via Ferrata (3, 776m) and Summitter's (4, 095.2m) Certificates.

Suddenly I felt invigorated, maybe with the chocolate or with the German sexy lady. Just joking. I am thinking of foods. Once I reach there, foods await me. I'm so hungry. All inside my head is food food and food.

When we reached the jump off for the Torq, we set up our gears again and we proceeded. We chit chat with our guide, we talked any topics under the sun without realizing we are close to finish the Torq.

Few meters away, the guide congratulated us for finishing the (LPC) Low's Peak Circuit Via Ferrata.

We walk down through the trail that we used to passed by during the early summit bid and reached the Pendant Hut at around 1:00 pm.

Guess what, I take off my jackets and other gears and eat a lot and rest for awhile. At 1:45 pm, the guides have said that we must start to go down the mountain and reach Timpohon Gate before sunset. Going down late and caught up in the middle of the dark is strongly not recommended for it is tough to do for the terrain is tough to negotiate. Wild animals are also starting to go out at early break of sunset.

Even tired for whole day activity and we do not have enough time to rest, we packed our things and we prepare to descend. 

To wrap up, we woke up at 1:00 am and started climbing at 2:00 am and finish at 1:00 pm. Going down to the foot of the mountain will take 3 to 4 hours. Our ETA to the foot of the mountain is 6:00 pm. Quite tough that on the same day that you are in a very long hours climbing and descending Mt KInabalu. However, it is worth it. I really loved this adventure.