My Kinabalu Experience

So, after a super long hiatus (busy with work) I'm back with a post with lots of information which I would like to share on my hike up Mount Kinabalu! Yes, I made it to the summit Low's Peak! Through Mesilau-Laban Rata-Low's Peak-Laban Rata-Timpohon. 2D1N hike, a night for acclimatization. If you ascend via Mesilau, you'll get 2 certs, but only one if you ascend via Timpohon (provided you arrived the summit) I would suggest ascending via Mesilau, it is 2km longer than Timpohon but nicer view.

Mesilau Trail (Mesilau Gate-Laban Rata): 8.2km

Timpohon Trail (Timpohon Gate-Laban Rata): 6km

Laban Rata-Low's Peak Summit: 2.7km

Cut off time at Sayat-sayat Check point is 5am (if later you may not be able to proceed to Summit)

Cut off time for you to descend from summit and check out from Laban Rata is 10.30am

How it all started: Mount. Kinabalu has always been in my bucket list. However being someone who rarely exercise and don't hike, I did some hard thinking. I finally decided to join because since I am this close to Sabah (currently in Miri), with the right group of people (some of us are not-at-all athletic) so it would be now or never! After I paid for the booking fee, there was no turning back!

Preparation: Since I was busy with work, being offshore very often...so I had no time for proper training. Every weekend we had, we'll be away from home on hike at some hill. Twice at Canada hill and once at Bukit Kasut. But 2 weeks before the date of our flight I was offshore, I only get to ride the "static bicycle" at the bridge of the work boat once a day, 1km each ride wtf. So basically that's it for the 3 months preparation. The most important training you'll need is stamina!

I am not a qualified trainer/athlete or alike but I felt that my hike was not that bad. The only pain I have (and most of those in my group) is on my thighs, which you usually feel after a marathon. My knees and ankles are all perfectly fine. I read up on many blogs to find ways to make my hike easier. Here I'll share some tips to make your hike more comfortable and fun! 

Especially for non-athletic first timers like me~

Best advises I received:

1. Hike at your own pace, but keep track of your time. If you feel that you will be slow, hike earlier. It doesn't matter if your friends are way in front or behind you and you need to hike alone. If you hike alone, take time to enjoy the view, greet strangers..During night hike, look at the stars..I managed to catch a shooting star!

From Laban Rata to the Summit, I was mostly separated from my group. I met strangers who were at the same pace, their guide gave us encouragement to keep going. I had difficulty breathing, stopped to catch my breath every 10m. Just told myself "It's okay if I'm slow, as long as I make it to the top. I can surely make it". It involved lots of self motivation and strong mental wtf

2. Step forward to where your toes point. Do not ascend and descend the stairs sideways, step forward and go heels down first. I read this method written by a blogger who tried both ways, and stepping forward created less pressure on the knees. Indeed it helped, no aching knees! Use your walking stick and upper body as much as possible.

Here is a list of things I think are compulsory and will make the hike so much earlier:

1. Walking stick/pole: metal ones can be rented at Kinabalu Park for RM10 each, as of April 2015. If you doubt the quality, do get your own and get it wrapped and checked-in on a flight. It is a prohibited hand carry item. It was what kept me going, especially at slippery areas or with steps.

2. Waterproof gloves: Ski gloves was enough to keep me warm and provided enough grip during my climb. You only need these when hiking Laban Rata-Summit-Laban Rata.

3. Knee and ankle guards: Besides the walking stick, these probably saved my joints. I have slight arthritis and past injury on my left ankle, but with the guards and numbing spray, all those just kept me going. I got mine quite expensive, around RM30 each from Guardian. Some of my friends got RM10 for a pair at discount stores. For a one-off use, it will be sufficient.

4. Medicine: 

a) Altitude/Mountain sickness tablets to be taken 1-2days before. I bought Apo-Acetazolamide from the pharmacy which really helped, especially since I have short breath. 

b) Muscle Relaxant tablets to lessen the pain on your muscles, cannot be taken with Paracetamol. I took this only after I arrived Laban Rata. After a 7 hours sleep, took another before going up the summit.

c) Muscle cream Yoko-yoko/Numbing spray/Hot rub or anything alike would be helpful. Apply these at pit stops before you feel pain, prevention is better than cure. Before taking your rest at Laban Rata, apply again to prepare for summit hike.

4. Rain coat This is a must because the weather at Kundasang /Mt. Kinabalu is quite unpredictable. It rained after 5.30pm on our first day and on second day after 4pm. If your pace is slower, there is a possibility that your raincoat will be fully utilized.

5. Windbreak and sweater These are mostly needed during night hike to summit, which could reach 0 degree. I wore both but if you are more cold resistant, a slightly thicker windbreaker would be sufficient. A scarf or face mask would be helpful, can be use to prevent breathing the cold air which will make breathing difficult.

6. Hiking shoes or Adidas Kampung I used Adidas Kampung all the way with 2 layers of soft, worked totally fine. I tried them on a shorter hike up Canada Hill before the actual hike. Try out your shoes! My toes rub against each other so I used surgical tape to tape each toes, like how ballerinas do.

7. Headlamp You will definitely need this during night hike. Hike to the Summit usually starts between 2.30am to 2.45am, which is pitch black and you'll be dependent on your headlamp. I bought mine at Miri Airport, cost only RM5 for a really bright one.

Other than that make sure you bring enough water (mineral water, energy drink, oral salts etc.) Mineral water and can drinks at Laban Rata can reach triple the price due to the difficulties to transport them. Some goes for energy bars. They packed us sandwich and an apple for lunch.

Pack light, 5kg or less (you just need 1.5L of water, some energy bar and your raincoat with you) for hike up to Laban Rata. Porter for Mesilau Trail is RM12/kg (min. 10kg, we shared among 14pax) and Timpohon trail is RM10/kg.  (also min.10kg)

Going up to Summit from Laban Rata, I didn't even pack a bag. I had a bottle and an energy bar in sweater pocket (with zipper). Since you will need both hands to hold the rope, a pouch would be more practical and shouldn't wear you down. 

Price breakdown:

Package price: RM394/pax (price quoted for 14pax)

Flight from Miri to Kota Kinabalu: AirAsia RM130

Insurance and Guide (shared): RM106

Shuttle to and fro Kota Kinabalu to Kinabalu Park: RM60

Certificates (Mesilau and Summit): RM12

Sinurambi Homestay at Kundasang (a day before hike): RM34

Shuttle from Sinurambi Homestay to Kinabalu Park: RM10


For self record:
Day 1: 28 April 2015 Ascending Mesilau-Laban Rata
Day 2: 29 April 2015 Ascending Laban Rata-Summit, Descending Summit-Timpohon

"Don’t date a girl who travels"

I found this article being shared by a friend who travels a lot and we even miss backpacking. Can you believe it, rather than hotel and tour we really really miss backpacking. The article is so relate-able! Not entirely but there is a reason why I much prefer the single life right now. The only guy who I would date is probably someone who can carry a backpack, sleep in a dorm, bath in a shared toilet and walk for more than 12 hours a day. Trust me, I asked many and not many like such lifestyle. Those who are rich wanted at least a 3 stars hotel, those who are lazy much preferred tour guides...but we somehow, at times, enjoy being lost?

She’s the one with the messy unkempt hair colored by the sun. Her skin is now far from fair like it once was. Not even sun kissed. It’s burnt with multiple tan lines, wounds and bites here and there. But for every flaw on her skin, she has an interesting story to tell.

Don’t date a girl who travels. She is hard to please. The usual dinner-movie date at the mall will suck the life out of her. Her soul craves for new experiences and adventures. She will be unimpressed with your new car and your expensive watch. She would rather climb a rock or jump out of an airplane than hear you brag about it.

Don’t date a girl who travels because she will bug you to book a flight every time there’s an airline seat sale. She wont party at Republiq. And she will never pay over $100 for Avicii because she knows that one weekend of clubbing is equivalent to one week somewhere far more exciting.

Chances are, she can’t hold a steady job. Or she’s probably daydreaming about quitting. She doesn’t want to keep working her ass off for someone else’s dream. She has her own and is working towards it. She is a freelancer. She makes money from designing, writing, photography or something that requires creativity and imagination. Don’t waste her time complaining about your boring job.

Don’t date a girl who travels. She might have wasted her college degree and switched careers entirely. She is now a dive instructor or a yoga teacher. She’s not sure when the next paycheck is coming. But she doesn’t work like a robot all day, she goes out and takes what life has to offer and challenges you to do the same.

Don’t date a girl who travels for she has chosen a life of uncertainty. She doesn’t have a plan or a permanent address. She goes with the flow and follows her heart. She dances to the beat of her own drum. She doesn’t wear a watch. Her days are ruled by the sun and the moon. When the waves are calling, life stops and she will be oblivious to everything else for a moment. But she has learned that the most important thing in life isn’t surfing.

Don’t date a girl who travels as she tends to speak her mind. She will never try to impress your parents or friends. She knows respect, but isn’t afraid to hold a debate about global issues or social responsibility.

She will never need you. She knows how to pitch a tent and screw her own fins without your help. She cooks well and doesn’t need you to pay for her meals. She is too independent and wont care whether you travel with her or not. She will forget to check in with you when she arrives at her destination. She’s busy living in the present. She talks to strangers. She will meet many interesting, like-minded people from around the world who share her passion and dreams. She will be bored with you.

So never date a girl who travels unless you can keep up with her. And if you unintentionally fall in love with one, don’t you dare keep her. Let her go.

article from: https://medium.com/better-humans/802c49b9141c, 

source: http://www.lovethesearch.com/

content is copyright of the origianl owner 

 

Just yesterday I was telling my brother that after 3 years I will take a year off from work, and he said that is impossible, how can I take long leave right when I just started? Like I will still be a newbie then. Like mentioned in the article, I might just turn out doing something out of the blue. I don't feel like settling down just for one thing. But it is the future and nobody know's what the future holds. And, somehow men tried to impress me on where they have traveled to (after knowing my joy for traveling), instead of telling me about their job or family background! Which is why guys who backpacks, definitely not luggage dragger, always impress me! But if you dress in Tom Ford suits that might impress too! ;D