Mt Kinabalu - Part Three: The Quest

We woke up as early as 5am the next morning ready for the adventure of a lifetime.  Our tour agent was supposed to pick us up at the guard house around 6:10am.  After washing up, packing and having had our breakfast, we marched to the guard house to fulfill our destiny!

We were early, so we thought.  But the tour bus was even earlier.  The tour guide greeted us and ushered us into the bus.  He handed over a bottle of mineral water and a sealed wet towel to each one of us.  There were another 2 groups of people staying in Marina Court that signed up for this climb as well.  Hence, we waited for another 10-15 minutes.  The bus stopped by a few other hotels to pick up more passengers thereafter.

Finally at around 7am, the tour bus headed towards Kinabalu Park Headquarter.  It took approximately 2 hours.  The road was very winding.  Usually I don't take motion sickness pill, but I gobbled 2 pills down the throat just in case I felt sick even before the climb due to the journey.  Thanks to Audrey.  She was indeed very well prepared.

The tour guide gave us a 20-minutes briefing on our way to Kinabalu Park.  Apparently he has climbed Mt Kinabalu 14 times!  Phew!  He was only 14 years old when he first hiked up the mountain peak.  His fastest record was to climb up and down the mountain within 6 hours!  However, a mountain guide is required to do so in 3 hours.  Incredible, isn't it?  The youngest person recorded that reached the peak was a 10-year-old child and the oldest was 87-year-old.  So, are you ready for such a challenge?

However, the guide also warned us of the acute mountain sickness (AMS).  If anyone suffers from AMS, he/she should not continue the climb as it may endanger one's life.

Soon, the 2-hour journey came to the end and we reached Kinabalu Park Headquarters.  We received a sourvenir tag that serves as an identification.  We were then introduced to our mountain guide, Robbi.  He helped us to rent the hiking pole (extremely useful!!!) at RM10 each.  Donna also purchased a headtorch at the cost of RM35.

A packed lunch consisting of a sandwich, an apple and a bottle of mineral water were given to us.  When all of us were ready, we hop on a shuttle van to travel to Timpohon Gate - the starting point to the stairway of 4,095 metres height.

The four young adventurers!

Isn't she beautiful?

To be continued...