Sabah : Part 4 - Mount Kinabalu Conquered!

19052011 - We were ready to start our climb to the peak. It was another 2.5 km to the peak. The night before, I didn't sleep a wink because it was too cold. We woke up at 1.30am, and forcing ourselves to snack on an energy bar. We started at 2.30am.

 

Of course, there was no need to dress as such. It turns out not to be that cold after all. With all the hiking, it was more hot and sweaty.

This is the path where the ropes start.

The Sayat-Sayat checkpoint where the ranger will check our tags when we trek down. I am not sure how it works because we were not checked when we trekked up. 

And we reached the peak at 5.45am. Along the climb, I saw the sun rose. Each time I hiked a mountain or a hill, it's a magical sight to catch the sun rising or the view of the surroundings. And each time, this scene has never failed to excite me.

We lingered at the peak for about 15 minutes before we headed back down. There were many people waiting to snap photos.

The rock that is reflected at the back of our MYR1 note.

 

The ropes. Looks simple but the rocks are slippery and smooth.

The gate back to our accommodation. I took 3 hours 15 minutes to climb to the peak from this gate, and I took 2 hours 15 minutes to get back to this gate.

Breakfast was minimal because the appetite was not there. Maybe because I was too tired.

Walked back to the base using the Timpohon trail which was simpler. The Timpohon trail is shorter by 2km (total 6km, whereas Mesilau trail has a total of 8km), but it has many steps so those who uses this trail up will find it difficult too.

And there we are, the Timpohon Gate!

After 4 hours of trekking, we are finally back.

And we were back in time to have lunch at Sutera Sanctuary Lodge.

The climb and trek was amazing. The trek was not tough but because of the long journey, it was tiring and ... a bit boring. But it was worth the monies paid.

Another achievement to be remembered.
Another memorable trip to be written down.