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Getaway
FireFlyz ~ 27
Fear of gravity
It is a coldmorning but our layers quickly come off as the trek
begins in earnest. The day’s climb seems easy enough– a
straightforward ascent to Panabalan takes an average of four to
five hours. I take six, as the heavens opened just as we stopped for
lunch. Out came the raincoats and down came torrents of water,
turning the steps into tieredmuddy streams and the rocky trails
intomildwaterfalls. I deeply regret not havingmy gloves with
me –my fingers are freezing and slightly raw fromholding on to
ropewhere necessary.
Respite comes in the formof hot tea at Panabalan. The dinner
buffet’s offerings are tastier than expected and though I want
a long bath,minimal sun on the heater’s solar panelsmeant
thewater is icy.Wewash up quickly and are in bed by 8pmwith
alarms set early for the 2amclimb to the summit.
Only half our party is interested in this attempt. Thewind is
still howling outside and a drizzlemakes it feel colder than the
5°C temperature reading, persuading the others to stay in bed.
I cannot emphasise enough the need for warm, weatherproof
clothes tomake the climb thatmuchmore comfortable.
Our headlamps illuminate the pitch-black darkness as
zig-zagging staircases giveway to smooth, flat rock. Though
there is a rope to help you navigate the sloping incline, themore
confident climbers opt to trust their balance andmarch onwards
and upwards unaided.
Fearful of gravity – the kind that would sendme plunging down
into the rocks below– and the ferocity of thewind, I hang on to
the rope andmake it safely to the first checkpoint. Altitude sick-
ness kicks inwith a vengeance shortly after. I am just a kilometre
fromthe peak but despite popping a pre-emptive pill, I amtoo
dizzy to continue.
I stumble back down theway I came, passing amix of keen
andwearied climbers. Dawn is breaking and the heavymist that
blanketed themountain is dissipating, unveiling themagnificent
Crocker Range and a breath-taking viewover Kinabalu–
perfect for photographs, not somuch for acrophobia.
Mist-blurredphotos
Going down is asmundane as past climbers said it would
be. The hike up had the promise of glory to push you
onwards, while the descent is hard on the knees and dreary.
Immerse yourself in nature to pass the time: there are some
beautiful plants and squirrels aplenty along the trail.
The friends whomade it to the peak have amist-blurred
photo to show for their achievement while thosewho did
notmake it all theway took home consolation certificates
documenting the height we reached. It is true that Mount
Kinabalu is among the easiestmountains to climb– the trails
some aspiring climbers train at, such asMount Nuang, are
farmore challenging. A number of children attempted it with
their parents, some even reaching the peakwith relative ease.
If it has ever featured on your bucket list, do consider climb-
ingMount Kinabalu. All you need is average fitness levels, the
right gear (do your research) and plenty of willpower – indeed,
it takesmore strength of mind than body. And pray for good
weather to capture your triumphant sunrise at the summit.
The heavy rain turned the steps
into tieredmuddy streams.