The Climb PART 2

Monday 14th June
DAY 2 - from Timpohon Gate to Laban Rata

Despite the restless night we managed to get up early and having breakfast before starting the expedition. We were brought to the starting point, Timpohon Gate, which is around 4.5km from the HQ, together with our guide plus porter, Wilfred.

Kinabalu Trail

We start our journey to Laban Rata, slow and steady, reserving energy. First tip: Don't rush! Just go slow but confident, u got plenty of time.

We made several stops along the way, taking time to replenish. Salt water and chocolate bars are essentials. Second Tip: Salt water will help prevent dehydration. There was an injured man at Pondok Mempening, seems like he sprained his ankle. From his accent I suspected he's from the Middle East. He handed me his phone.

Me : "Hello? Saye ade dengan orang yang injured nih."

Guide : "Lokasi di mana?" Slang Sabahan pekat kedengaran di hujung talian sana.

Me : "Emmm, Pondok Mempening."

Guide : "Sakit belah mana?"

Me : "Buku lali, kaki kiri. Terseliuh agaknye."

Guide : "OK2 lagi 2 jam bantuan boleh datang."

Poor guy. The charge for carrying down a person is around RM300 per km, so he needs to pay around RM1000 plus for that.

As we climbed higher and higher I noticed that the air grew thinner and cooler. Thick rainforest evolves into small shrubs and ferns. Muddy footpaths into solid rocks. The trail is getting tougher and tougher.

Me and Faisal were way ahead until we decide to stop at Villosa Shelter, where the scenery is quite nice. I roger Angah thru walkie talkie.

Me : "Bola satu ke bola dua, di mana lokasi?"

Angah : "Bola dua ke bola satu, mintak stop sekejap, nak amik video cam."

Me : "Orait. Kitorang tunggu kat Pondok Villosa, cepat sikit, over and out." Rase macam komando perang pun ade daaa.

After more than half and hour waiting, Angah appeared. "Pergh lambat gile ko! Faisal siap nak tido dah tuh." "Biase ah," he answered, short, while gulping huge amounts of oxygen. Then we took some shots and continued.

After 10 steps suddenly something struck my right thigh. Arghhh!!! Muscle pain!!! Luckily I brought the muscle pain relief cream. I just applied the cream on that painful area, just above the right knee. I tried moving my leg. Wow! It works! Third Tip: Don't take too long breaks, the most is 5 minutes. Fourth Tip: Never forget the muscle pain relief cream.

The trail gets tougher and tougher, until the last 500 meters, when the path gets pretty steep. Luckily I've reserve lots of energy so I aint got problem with it. I've heard that a lot of people gave up here. No wonder. Its like a series of 60 degree slopes arranged continuously, after you exhaustively managed to climb one slope, u turn into another direction and u'll see another slope waiting for u, then another, then another. U'll be wondering where is the end?

Haha, at last me and Faisal reached Laban Rata around 3.30pm, while Angah reached and hour later. Sheesh.