The stage was set.
I am going to do the 2nd craziest event in my life.
This is going to be epic. I have never done any trekking before!
30 years ago, I wasn't able to go.
1 month ago, I wasn't able to go.
So when Tekko casually mentioned about the trip end-May, I jumped at the opportunity.
The trip was paid within the next 24 hours.
Had my first training within the next 48 hours.
I have to plan some training between work and holidays. ;)
Injured my elbow, shoulder, ankle and knee all within a span of a week. :(
Flu and fever decided to pay me a visit too.
How 'cool' is that!
When the ankle got a little better, I went for my first trek at Bukit Timah Hill.
As it was a last minute decision, I went with what I had.
T-shirt, shorts and slippers!!!
Trail trekking in VBF is fun!
You learn to be extremely cautious.
Did some geo-caching at the same time and managed to find my first cache. :)
Develop a blister coming downhill and decided to go barefoot. ;p
D-2
Reached KK, spent a night in town and sample their local fare.
D-1
Last minute purchases before proceeding for lunch en route to Don Bosco Orphanage.
Part of our trekking costs went to the orphanage. :-)
Reached Mesilau Resort and had dinner cum briefing.
Mostly spicy food, so I make sure I dun take the gravy.
D-Day
Din sleep well. Not too sure if it was the excitement or the altitude.
Took Panadol Max in the middle of the night to ease the headache (probably due to the hard pillow). Lol.
First thing I noticed was the bloodshot eyes. When the rest are up, I noticed they have them too!
I guess we are all not used to the altitude.
Missed out on the final group shot cos I was stuck in the loo. :p
Have our Laban Rata packs weigh and tagged.
We are all curious how much we are carrying along the way.
Jancy 5kg, Gilbert 6kg, Daniel 8kg!!!
I had 2 liters of water with me (1.5L 100-Plus , 500ml water)
Turned out that was one of the worst decision I had made.
I lost 500ml of 100-Plus before I even before I start the climb. The drink just fizzle out from the air opening and drinking tube in my Sawyer bottle.
I had about 300ml of 100-Plus along the trip and I am not too certain if the drink contributed to my DNF.
Although I was already short of water, I decided to pour away the rest of the 100-Plus...
All started well, we were all making good progress.
Before 500m, the group of 12 has already progressed forward and I have only Sarah to play tag. Lol
I went uphill faster, but she literally flew downslopes.
The pondoks (shelters) along Mesilau Trail are not spaced 500m (which is the case for Timpohon Trail), so we were glad when we finally hit the first pondok at 1 km mark.
Had a short rest before proceeding. Definitely less than the stipulated 5 minutes. ;)
With a running engine, you won't wanna stall it.
The scenery from Pondok Schima is awesome! Definitely a preferred trail if you wanna to take in the scenery while climbing.
After Pondok Schima, it is mainly downhill for about 1.5km before you reached the swinging bridge.
From there onwards, it is all uphill.
I was all systems go till the swinging bridge.
After about 3.3km mark, every uphill step I took, I feel nauseous.
I vomit some gooey stuff. Stuff that I dun identify and pretty sure it is not gastric fluid...
The stomach is swelled to its max.
I am thirsty and hungry, but I do not dare to touch my water and food.
I am afraid that once I eat or drink something, I will throw out more than I ingested.
Waited for Dragon, our last guide and asked for his advice.
To trek 4.5km to Laban Rata or am I able to turn back towards Mesilau Resort.
He advised me to go back to Mesilau, where he and Tony will arrange for my alternative accomodation and transport.
Thanked him and proceed back towards Mesilau.
Trekking to 3.5km took 3.5hrs.
Trekking to the second Pondok Bambu at 1.5km took 3hours.
Resting here, I decided to ditch all my 100Plus and food sans the Snickers bar.
Rationed out my 500ml water and had a Snickers bar.
I feel much better after a while.
Things got better, but it still take me almost an hour to reach Pondok Schima.
Resting at Pondok Schima, I spotted the water tap that we have all missed earlier.
Refilled my Sawyer bottle and drank to my heart's content.
The driver (with his 7 and 10 years old sons) and Search and Rescue guide were worried when I did not reach the Mesilau gate at 3pm and came looking for me.
They were so glad to find me at Pondok Schima.
When I rest enough, the S&R guide follow me all the way back to Mesilau Resort.
My first trekking trip is short lived but I do gain much from the experience.
Immediately after the climb, I told myself that there is no way I am coming back.
But slowly understanding the conditions, I am aware that there are many factors affecting the climb.
Mitigating these factors, there is a greater chance of me ascending Mount Kinabalu successfully.
1. Obesity. Think it play a huge part.
2. The waist pouch. It works like a pump, pressing against the protruding belly. Lol.
3. No more 100-Plus.
4. Do not prep the food intake as though I am taking part in a race. I need real food! Lol
5. My fever and flu 2 weeks prior to the climb. No way to mitigate this. Just unlucky...