So, my parents decided that we had to take a short trip during the beginning days of the new year with some visiting family friends. Little did I know that I was getting myself into. Well, as a matter of fact we were all a little surprised for what was yet to come. All I thought was going to happening during this short family vacation was relaxing by the pool and a little fun activity in Kota Kinabalu. But that was quite the opposite.
Instead...
I MADE IT TO THE TOP OF MOUNT KINABALU.
Yes, I made it to the top of a 4,095m (13,435 ft) mountain by foot. I made it up there with no hiking boots but a pair of nike sneakers. Probably one of the worst decisions ever. I didn't think to bring a thick jacket. Only packed a thing fleece because I thought Malaysia was pretty hot. I didn't bring my wind breaker so I had to use a poncho which didn't help considering it rained every afternoon and we all got soaking wet.
On the first day we hiked 6km up hill and ended up at some lodge in the middle of the mountain. Since it was dormitory style, we had to bunk up with 6 people and share a bathroom with the whole hall. I have never had to share a room with more than 3 people in my life. Oh, that made it worse was that there wasn't hot water in the shower after being soaked as we walked up the hill.
At the summit! This was also the first time I slept so early in my life. I went to bed a 7:30pm and woke up at 1:30am. We climbed the last 3 km at 2:30am in time for the sun set. Good thing we hiked up there in the darker because you literally had to pull yourself up this part with a rope as you're hanging by the edge of the mountain. Oh, and it was freezing cold up top.
Then I thought that was a hard task, only to learn that walking that 6km down would actually be worse. Who knew walking down rocks and stairs would be so much harder? I didn't, I actually thought it would be a breeze. The heavy downpour didn't help much either.
Now, my foot hurts like a bitch. No joke. I can barely walk probably and walking down stairs is almost impossible. I walked down the subway station today and everyone got slightly annoyed as I tried to walked down the steps and blocked everyone's way.
But the good things is...
*I got a cool certificate that I made it to the top.
*I made it down alive. (I have heard several sad stories about this climbs)
*My legs are still intact.
*Lots of cool flora.
*Parts of the terrain is absolutely beautiful.
*Managed to survive without internet for 2 days straight.
We also went white water rafting which was extremely cool. I really enjoyed it. Too bad I didn't get any shots of it since I didn't bring a water proof case. Perhaps I'll upload some of the photos I bought soon. It was only a grade 2 journey but I'm actually now interested in stepping it up a notch and hoping to go again. It was actually fun.
Oh, and it never hurts to hang out by the pool after 2 days of intense climb. More to come with the other little activity that we did. Too tired right now.
I guess thats one thing of my new years list (though it wasn't really one to begin with). Climb a mountain in 2012. Check. Whats next?
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