Mount Kinabalu Expedition 2013

A mountain standing so mighty at the height of 4,095 metres in East Malaysia - Sabah, is a mountain I never thought I would be able to conquer.

Till today, I am still at awe reminiscing the moment where I was at the highest top of the Land Below The Wind. 

Many may be in the same 'self-doubt phase' as me before the climb, and I hope this blog would somehow help in giving my share bits of motivation. I am not in position to give the best advice, but the preparation I made for the climb did assure me a safe, relax, and successful climb. 

Before the climb... these are the few things that you must do.

1) Climb... alot! - If you are not an outdoor person like me, do make sure that you hike / exercise few months before the actual climb. It helps to get your body and muscles prepared for a long hike.

2) Get the right attire - To get a proper shoe is a MUST. I didn't invest much on a hiking shoe, just a RM9.90 rubber shoe I got from Cameron Highlands. You can get it at any hardware shops I believe. The second day hike from Laban Rata to Low's Peak can be as cold as -1°C  (depending on rain and season). I'm all prepared for the worst when I get myself a pair of long john (top & bottom from Universal Traveler), a windproof and waterproof pants (from Universal Traveler), gloves (from Universal Traveler too), beanie I borrowed from dad, balaclava Vince lend me, and a thick sweater sponsored by SP Setia. Do not forget to get a head lamp too! It is compulsory on the second day hike. Get a raincoat for both days. 

3) Be mentally prepared - We are lucky to have Kevin Wong to give us a motivational speech prior to our climb. It was a half-day session, and I would like to summarize the session with these quotes. 

"Keep your head and your heart in the right direction, 

and you'll never have to worry about your feet"

"The distance between success and failure can only be measured by one's desire"

It is really important to believe that all you wanted to achieve - is to set foot at the peak, 

nothing lower than the peak. This goal - must be your sole belief. 

Because beliefs are essentially our on / off switch for our ability to do anything in the world. 

4) Altitude sickness pill - Most of the climbers who failed to reach the peak of Mount KK is due to altitude sickness. You don't want to have symptoms like nausea, migraine, headache, vomiting during your climb, coz there's no turning back. So get some AMS pills and take it 3 days before the climb to avoid this.

Now that you are physically and mentally prepared, get ready for a journey that would change your perspective in life - thru a promising tropical adventure! :)

All 39 of us from the second batch of SP Setia Mount KK 2013 Expedition

During the hike to Laban Rata....

1) This is not a race, climb at your own pace - The goal is to reach the top, not to race your friends to the top. Well, of course, only if you are in Mt. Kanabalu Climbathon. Else, I would suggest you to save that energy and enjoy what nature has to offer.

2) Grab a buddy - It is always so much fun to do things with people, than doing things alone. Whatsmore, a climb to remember! I was so lucky to have a buddy of the same pace, and constantly give encouraging words. 

3) Pack your lunch box - Yeppp... nothing heavy, oily or spicy in the morning before the hike. Although there are many stops along the Mesilau / Timpohon trails, you wouldn't want to rush to the too-too. I would suggest to pack some bananas, chocolates, raisins, nuts, and energy drinks. Once reached Laban Rata, have a cup of hot Milo (bring your own 3 in 1 coz a cup of Milo at Laban Rata is going to cost you RM 6).

Having fun photo session makes you forget of the coming kilometers before Laban Rata... 

During the hike to Low's Peak....

1) Cover yourself from head to toe - While everyone was shivering, my hands were sweaty and it felt pretty normal for me to remove my gloves to use my camera - the rest felt like they are going to have frostbite when doing that. I felt like this is one of the wisest decision I've made in my life - for keeping myself warm with the right attire. 

2) Head lamp - Again... this is a must coz it's pitch dark when you start your journey from Laban Rata at 2am. Do bring some spare batteries in your bag pack coz the battery tends to drain faster in colder temperature.

Achievement that is gonna make me proud... "I come, I climb, I conquer"

Going down from Low's Peak to Kinabalu Park...

1) Just go with the flow - You'd be sooooo happy with your newly achieved mission and you'll be too busy to shout about it. So don't worry about going down. You have only one goal now - to go down. So... you pretty much get the idea. 

Remember the raincoat I was telling?
It came handy when it gets cold on my way down - then it started to drizzles. 

I extended my stay at Sabah with my buddies. Went snorkeling at Pulau Mamutik. Pulau Manukan and Pulau Sapi. It was awesooommeee.... could be better if it wasn't for the muscle pain I had for the next 3 days after the climb. Woo-hoooooo!!!

I hope this brief review on Mount KK climb is useful. I did not cover everything about it. Just some pointers based on my own experience.

Will be climbing again next year (I hope)... looking forward to Via Ferrata at Mount KK!!!

And how could I end this post just like this? 

Feed on this.... wootzzz!!! Photo taken by one of my hiking buddy at Pulau Sapi.

Goodnight ya'll !!!

Read More

All geared up for another challenge!

Being a girl who is not accustomed to outdoor activities, 

needless to say... adventures, to register myself for Mount KK Expedition 2013

appear to be a shocking news to everyone - including myself.

Many were curious in knowing why.

I guess there was a point when my self-esteem was being ripped off,

and at the end of a miserable experience, I was left worthless.

Feeling like a loser in dealing with my own life,

I decided to take charge again and felt the need to regain back my self-worth.

I wanted to take small steps to reassure and convince myself that 

I may fail in certain things in life, but NOT EVERYTHING. 

Been taking small steps to achieve small little goals.

Then bigger goals. Then set a resolution to it.

Every little achievement I've made, made me proud of myself.

The Mount KK Expedition wasn't for me initially.

Only 80 out of 198 registrants got picked randomly.

But as I was eager to join, I attended every single training they have.

During the first few weeks of training, the "not so eager ones" dropped out.

So I got in!

Series of training have been planned out by 

external trainer to ensure that we work our butts off!

Bukit Saga / Apek Hill at Cheras,

 Gunung Angsi at Negeri Sembilan, 

and Gunung Nuang at Hulu Langat.

First training at Bukit Saga - I thought I was gonna die with my heart pumping
so hard that I could feel that it's gonna pop out!!!

The waterfall at Bukit Saga - marks that the peak is near!

Gunung Angsi wasn't that bad actually.
We were going slow and steady. 

Gunung Nuang made Bukit Saga seemed like a peanut.
My leg was jelly-like when I reached Kem Pacat.
It is a long way with alot of obstacles to make sure we are all PANCIT!
I didn't made it second time around though..

Our second visit to Bukit Saga was a breeze!
It's getting easier after every training and I'm glad we've improved.

These training are really tough!!!
And it definitely reminded me how unfit I am!

To ensure that our level of fitness, we are also told to undergo a series of
physical fitness test by Sunway Medical Centre too.
Passed that... almost failed the lung test though.

I've really tried my best in all my training, and there has been
some bad times when I had muscle cramps and have to refrain from continuing the hike.
It kind of demotivating, but I just kept moving.

Now that the actual hike is just around the corner,
I'm unsure if that's what I opted for...
Am I up to climbing at Mount KK?!!
Am I capable of going all the way up to 4,095 metres (13,455 ft) above sea level?!!
This is a no-joke, there are people who died from AMS during the hike!!!

*paranoid*

There are no room for doubt now.
I've come this far.
I did what I should.
External, internal and my own training.
I did it all.

I seriously, really, sincerely, truly, madly, deeply, hope that I'll made it to the peak.

May God be with me all the way.

Flying off at 7.30am tomorrow morning.

Wish me luck peeps!!! 

Read More

Climbing up Batu Caves

Been a Malaysian for 29 years and had never climbed up Batu Caves,

with 272 steps on the staircase, and having the world tallest Lord Murugan statue!

We are proud Malaysien, eh!

Woke up at 6.30am and get ourselves ready.

Expect to meet Chriz at Subway, Petronas beside NKVE but she is no where to be seen.

Called, SMS and Whatsapp her, and the first message I received

from her that morning was... "SHIT !!!"

She overslept!

... asked us to go ahead but we waited for her still. 

Manage to fly over to meet us, and to Batu Caves we goooo!!!

Photos below... 

Semangat membara-bara before climbing up

Pigeon understood Vince's instruction of "LOOK HERE!"

World Tallest Murugan statue at Batu Caves, Malaysia

Tailing Chriz - just a few steps away

Unlike Broga Hill, climbing up Batu Caves is a piece of cake (action nie) 

I was panting while climbing up the first few steps tho'

but when I keep on going, it seemed easier.

This was partly exaggerated - I wasn't climbing like this - at all!
Look at Delvise with his grin behind me..

Although my knee felt a little jelly weak once I reached the top,

overall it was a fun climb up, and I enjoyed pushing myself forward..

Telling myself.. "Go! Go! Go!"

Gulping down my 100 Plus upon reaching.
Don't you just love my physique here - tall and slander!

Sight of beautiful caves are captured by Vince & Chriz.

Ain't the nature amazing?

Enhanced with human technology and creation,

there's where all the wonders in the world came into place.

  

We climb a little more as I wanted to send my prayers to Lord Murugan.

Prayers being done inside the cave

The monk gave me a small coconut husk with wax in it, and to light it up.

Upon saying prayers, monk gave me his blessing by putting on 

some white ash and red dot on my forehead.

I've learnt that the sacred ash is called vibhuti that signifies the phrase

"body's origin is from dust and ash and to dust and ash it shall return".

Reminding us that everything in this world is impermanent.

And the red dot that we usually see on our fellow Indian friends' forehead,

it's called kumkum/bindi and it represents the third eye.

We have two eyes that is seeing outside, for us to observe the world.

And the third eye is focusing inward to God - reminding us to always remember God. 

Meaningful, isn't it?

The monk also tied a holy string on my left wrist, while chanting

"You have good luck, good luck, yes, good luck"

So.. good luck it is!!!

Thankiu... Tima kasi... Nanri...

The Indian side of me.. :)

Blowing flower petals in slow mo just for Chriz to try out the shutter speed.

With the sun getting brighter, hotter, we decided that it's time to leave.

The thought of going down and up again

for the second time did crossed my mind,

but Vince and Chriz is not up for it.

Delvise and Lim (Vince's colleagues) climb up three times that morning!

That's to prep themselves to hike up Mount KK next month.

*salute*

The dizzy dizzy effect while looking down.

 Saw a man bring up some sugarcane, and a few woman was helping him.

I was thinking...

 "Why so many people have to help him carry the thin looking sugarcane?"

Then we saw that there's a baby wrapped in a yellow cloth and

the cloth was tied onto the sugarcanes.

Asked my Indian friends and they told me that this ritual is performed

if a woman have difficulty in conceiving, and have vowed to the God that she will

fulfill her vow to bring the baby up, if the God blesses her with a child.

I'm very much amazed seeing this ritual.

May God bless the mother, and the child, not forgetting their relatives

who offer helping hand to carry the baby up to the 272th stairs.

I hope to learn and see more of other culture.

Myself, being a Chinese, is unsure about Chinese culture actually.

Made our way down in no time!

No sweat!

Mission accomplished!

YAY!!!

Read More

Birthday sunrise @ Broga Hill

18th November 2012

This is one special activity to have on a birthday!

To hike up current hiker's attraction @ Broga Hill, Semenyih.

It has a special meaning to it you know...

To witness the sun unfolds my birthday, 

I want to mark the sunrise as a beginning 

to a new chapter of my life.

Coming year is gonna be a great one! :)

And so.. Vince and I woke up at 2.45am.

Left my house at 3.20am.

4.00am arrived at Kota Damansara to pick up lovebirds CC and Rachel.

Reached Broga Hill starting point at 5.00am.

We relied on the GPS to the palm oil estate with only one small signboard of Broga Hill.

Parking is now chargeable of RM2 per entry.

It was pitch dark when we arrived.

Luckily we had our own torchlight.

CC brought along his super SPOTLIGHT from cycling.

It is enough to brighten up his view up to 50 meters away!!! (I think la... coz it's super bright!)

I confess that I was filled with regrets in the first 15 minutes of hiking up.

The pathway is not meant for proper hike.

It's muddy, slippery, very steep, and oh gawd, I was panting like an old lady!

(Pardon me, don't forget I am one year older that day)

I am thankful to have Vince who has offered to carry my bag.

Bet Vince didn't know what's in my bag before he offered to carry it.

1) Torchlight - A MUST

2) Two bottles of water - A MUST - but just a small bottle, coz u'll be in trouble when nature calls

3) Camera - A MUST - but I didn't use it.

4) Two purse - REGRET. Should just leave it in the car. Just put a few ringgit in the pocket in case you want to buy drinks / coconut water when you arrived at the stalls near parking area.

5) Two mobile phones - A MUST - just one probably? In case of emergency, plus there is phone coverage.

6) Mosquito repellent - DEPENDS. We didn't use it.

7) Face towel - DEPENDS on individual. We just wipe on our shirt. Haha!

8) Snacks - REGRET. We bought ALOT of biscuits, chocolates, wafers etc, but no appetite to munch on any of it.

9. Extra clothing - A MUST - you can change your wet and smelly shirt after

On top of my super heavy bag, Vince was carrying his bulky DSLR bag.

I could imagine the extra baggage he's carrying all the way to the top.

Don't think he would mind.

He's on a mission to lose weight! :P

There are many hill slopes that we stopped to rest.

One of it acted as our loo (no toilet one lehhhh).

We finally made it on top of the hill at around 6am.

That one hour feels like forever to me.

But the view on top, is priceless.

Photos from Vince Nikon DSLR for sharing.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

It was still dark at 6am.

So we waited... and waited...



Up up Broga Hill with Rachel



It is actually still very dark when this photo is taken.

We uses torchlight to "sapu sapu" on very low shutter speed.

I'm not technically equipped with photography terms, so bear with me. Haha!

Amazing colors huh?



Amazing colors of the pre-sunrise that we made up of lighting technique



Without "sapu sapu" it turns out to be silhouette. 

Which is not bad either! ;)



Romantic silhouette of CC and Rachel 



View of Semenyih at around 6.30am.



"I'm on the top of the world looking.. down on creation and the only explanation I can find.. "



.



It's been a long time since we take photo of us together.. *sweet sweet*





CC and Rachel looking at the horizon where their future holds 





And we are doing the parody version - with Vince acting like those old-skol China pose!



Sunrise seen only at around 7.00am. 

Here comes 18th November 2012!!!

Excited giler yooo!!!

Rachel and I watching the egg yolk emerging from the clouds

There are ALOT of hikers that day.

There's a bunch of Malay hikers who did their morning prayer on top of the hill.

They did the whole thing, take out their shoes, wash their feet, kneel for prayer etc.

Salute them! 

I love my new Nike pants and shoes. Cost me RM450 for both of em!

----------------------------------------------------

I find that the way down is actually more difficult than going up.

My knee and toe really hurts.

Needs to "brake" coz the slope is too steep, and one might just slip and slide down.

The one is me.

No serious injury, luckily.

Just minor bruises on my palm.

While we are on our way down, there are many hikers who just started to climb up.

It's kinda hot at that time. And they brought children along.

Some with very high spirit as in "this is sooo fun!!!"

Some have sense of achievement "daddy, I can do it too!!!"

And some almost crying... sobbing away... :P

This hike is fun, but causes alot of muscle pain.

I couldn't feel my legs when I reach the parking lot.

Vince then brought us for dimsum at Balakong, Cheras.

I miss that place.

Used to have breakie there with his family.

Slept like a baby after shower.

Then birthday celebration continues.... 

Read More