Travel experiences: Climbing Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia

The reality of actually going for a 4 day long trip in attempt to conquest Mount Kinabalu, Sabah only sank in as I was walking towards Air Asia’s Airbus 320. After all, Mount Kinabalu is the highest peak in Malaysia and despite the commercializing of the location; I predict the climb to be somewhat difficult.

Unlike KLIA, in LCCT we are required to walk right up to the aircraft to board it. Despite the lack of an air-conditioned pathway, I enjoyed the short walk amidst aircrafts, had an unexplainable sense of adventure to it.

(Flight was spent sleeping, and very eventful. Unless turbulence is considered eventful)

Bus took us to the Kinabalu Park HQ, where the Park Ranger office is located. We were to put up the night in Grace Hostel; about 5 minutes walk form the Park Rangers office, and start the climb early next morning.

I stepped down from the bus with caution, since I have heard some rather convincing horror stories about the weather. I was told that the chillness would sting right up to my bones, but what a load of exaggeration that turned out to be. There was a slightly drizzle, with temperature that I can only describe as a feeling of being perpetually in an air-conditioned room. By now, we could very well see the huge mount right before us and words would do no justice to describe the view.

There was such calmness in the surrounding air. With every intake of breath, all those burden of uncompleted projects, stressful meetings with superiors, CCARS, other difficulties that we encountered back in Spansion seemed to be lifted off my shoulders. I dare say, I sensed something almost spiritual about the place.

The rest of the day was spent hovering together, basking ourselves in the splendid surrounding, taking each and every opportunity to snap a picture or two. The Park HQ itself was large, and despite the slight rain, I could not help but just wander around lost in the serenity that the place exerts.

But light seem to rule for a shorter time here and soon it was dinner time. Since dinner was a free for all activity, some of us walked to a restaurant nearby to have our dinner. First thing I notice was the exorbitant amount on display for food, but as disturbing as that was, it made sense. Soon after dinner, we made way to attend the briefing by the park rangers. They gave all present a short historical background on the mountain, and the trekking trail available to the peak. One was Merlimau, and to other Timpohon. Valuable information