I was taken aback when I read the news on the earthquake that struck Sabah which left hundreds of Mt Kinabalu climbers stranded. The memories of climbing this magnificient mountain still lingered at the back of my mind. It was only 3 months ago. I followed the news closely. I couldn't imagine how the climbers survived under the freezing cold wind at the mountain top. I remembered how I struggled to keep myself warm. "I hope my mountain guide is safe. He should be. After all, he's very experienced and agile." That's my thoughts throughout the day.
The next morning I scrolled down the computer reading all the latest news on the Sabah quake. My heart sank when I came across this post from Amazing Borneo that mentioned one of their mountain guides, Robbi Sapinggi, has passed away. Tears were rolling in my eyes and I mourned for the loss of such a great man. No, he ain't related to me at all. Neither was he consider my friend. Somehow, at one point of our lives we crossed path. And that itself has left a great impression on me.
I was introduced to Robbi when we reached Kinabalu Park Headquarters. He was our mountain guide for the climb. My first impression was he's quite small size for a man. He was very helpful in renting the hiking poles, giving us our ID and packed lunch; he even offered to take a photo for us. At Timpohon Gate, just before we entered the trail, he checked our bagpacks, making sure that nothing was obstructive to our movement during the climb and advised us to remove our windbreaker though the temperature was a bit cold.
We started our climb without Robbi. Yup, he was no where to be seen. I was pretty upset coz I thought our guide is supposed to be with us all the time! Nevertheless, we continued on. We met him on and off throughout the trail. But he was never following behind us as it should be. Finally, I concluded that his presence was unnecessary since the trail was quite straight forward. At one reststop, he even flirt with one of us. That caused us to be rather uneasy.
When we finally reached Laban Rata, Robbi checked us into Waras Hut and briefed us on the climb the next morning. He left us after that and we saw him again at the empty field where the porters and mountain guides were playing handball or something. He was the referee sitting on the high chair, keeping the scores.
The next morning we continued the climb. This was far more challenging as compared to the day before. At one part of the climb the level of inclination was almost 70 degrees.
Quote from my blog dated March 11th:
Robbi, our mountain guide was with us all these while. He was very helpful in instructing us where to put our foot on, even holding our hands leading us the way. Did I mention he has been a mountain guide for 11 long years?! No wonder he is so experienced. He doesn't even need to hold the rope while climbing. If any one of us lose our balance, he'd pull us back up.
My perspective of Robbi changed. I realised perhaps he knew that we could complete the first part of the climb without him, and probably we would be more relax without a stranger around. But in this second part of the climb, his outstanding service was clearly shown.
When we reached Sayat-sayat Checkpoint, we expressed our concern on continuing the climb. Robbi, did not force us to go on, but happy to assist in anyways we wished to. He left the decision in our hands. We've decided to continue. However, Robbi stayed behind puffing on a cigarette.
Herein after the trail was plain rocky boulder. One of my team-mates stayed behind and amazingly Robbi found her in the nick of time. He brought her back to the checkpoint and attended to her needs. Then he came back to look for the rest of us at the summit.
As we descended back to Laban Rata, Robbi must have noticed something wrong with me. He asked me a few times "Are you ok?" Seriously, I was feeling extremely cold. Although there's nothing much he could do, I appreciate his sensitivity and his kindness shown.
From Laban Rata back to Timpohon Gate was really a test of endurance. Two of us were moving very slowly but Robbi was following behind us most of the time. At times, he would stay a little longer at the restpoint to smoke but he caught up with us in no time. The last 3km Robbi practically holding both of our hands down every steps. He jokingly told his friend, another mountain guide who was on the way up, that he had two wives, ie me and my team-mate. I noticed that Robbi seemed to know most if not all the mountain guides and porters. Almost everyone he met on our way down he greeted them. He also offered to carry our backpacks without any charges. I declined graciously though. However, his thoughtfulness is well-remembered in my heart.
No, he's not a perfect man. None of us are.
Yes, he has his weaknesses. All of us have.
But his kindness, thoughtfulness, selflessness are qualities and characters that not many possesses.
His passing was truly a loss to many.
A Facebook posting by Amazing Borneo:
Robbi was accompanying a climber when he was hit by falling rocks.
“Despite being injured, Robbi’s only thought was for the welfare of his guest, urging his guest to continue ahead to climb down the mountain to safety.
“He bravely chose to remain alone and wait for help rather than to put the guest’s life at further risk.
The Facebook posting revealed that Robbi was unable to make it down the mountain in time to receive proper medical attention and he died due to loss of blood.
I am honored to know of a hero, his name is Robbi Sapinggi.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
p/s: My heart goes out to all the mountain guides and porters. To us, Mt Kinabalu is just a mountain. For them, it is their livelihood. Many porters carried heavy stuff up the mountain. Some of them are women and seniors. Robbi told us he climbed the mountain 3 times a week. These mountain guides know Mt Kinabalu so well that I believe it meant more than money to them. They recognise their calling. And they embrace it with their lives.
