A journey doesn’t start when we jumped into a van that transfer us to the destination, instead it has started by the time I had clicked on the button, “I’m attending” this event. Followed by the organizing (not me), preparation work, training on my fitness, stamina by jogging more regularly, as we are going from a different trail, which is 2KM longer.
Our first stop at Nabalu tiny town, which has developed into a handicraft market over the years. We spend most of the time at the watching tower, looking at the mountain waves its hand for our challenges. It just the turtle and monkey soft toy in the handicraft market inspires me a bit. Two of this species would never meet each other in normal life, but something that has brought them together. Here we are, on the same group going for the same destination.
The first group photo was taken under our Sabah flag. It was conjunction of the Merdaka day and Hari Raya on the following day. It is the best moment to raise the flag at the top of the mountain on that day. Well, I still have my own message to be sent out when reaching the top. Glad I did it as well, where I was unable to do so 10 years ago. The message was sent out, but it would be a totally different meaning after the time goes by.
The same destination that you have been for few times doesn’t mean that you have been exploring every corner of it. Hot spring for instance, I have been here for few times, but I’d never been to the second waterfall. Langanan Waterfall was another 3.3KM walking distance, which is worth for it when you saw the 3 stories waterfall. It has been another target in mind for the next visit, planned for the date and what to do, what to bring has been set in mind. One of the ways that keeps me busy all the time.
A warm steamboat dinner and a magnificent breakfast has been the energy source to start the first 8km trail to the Laban Rata. I have taking more photos on plants and scenery along the 8km trail, spot on something that never pop into my eyes for the previous attempt on a different trail. Different types of fern leaves, monkey cup, butterfly leaves, pakis… even notice a squirrel keeps leading us along the way. (not sure is it the same one) When reach higher ground, you can slowly notice the changes, not just the plants type, as well as the ground, soil, rock. Starting to amaze the work to explore the trail, when there was a will, there is a way. A path that not only steps, staircases, but most important the handle and fence for safety purposes.
The 8km trail doesn’t go fast at all, slowly 1 step by another. Thigh was cramped for several times but that doesn’t stop me from complete the 1st task. The rain forest simply is the forest with rain all the times. On and off we have to wear and take off the rain coat. It is hot when you keep walking with the rain coat on, it is cold when you stop and rest with only tee and shorts. (basically those are wet with mixture of sweat and rain)
I know I need to choose the better outfit next time. A glove that is water proof, yet not too thick so that I can easily snap photo but without the need of taking off the glove. A better raincoat, a water proof bag because you cannot predict the weather over there.
It is a bit late by the time we reach Laban Rata resthouse, though we still make it for the dinner. The weather is getting cold with strong wind outside, not to mention the mixture of some rain. A hot coffee is what I get on the first aside of food. The warmest moment when it flows into the body, hot and refreshing. Don’t dare to take bath as there is not enough power to generate the water heater over here. Just quickly clean up, tidy up and get to bed as we need to wake up in the midnight to continue the 2nd part of the journey. Unfortunately, even with the lights off, I still cannot fall asleep. I thought I should be tired and will fall asleep as soon as I was on the bed. Honestly, the body doesn’t seem too tired, just the leg feels the tension on the constant steps and hike. It could be the effect of constant running to gain and restore the stamina and fitness for this trip. (still have to workout for the muscle) or I have been part of the following sickness. :p
Altitude sickness, acute mountain sickness (AMS), some of the member starting to have this once getting into the resthouse, even starting of the 2nd part of the journey. 高山症 -早期的症狀包括倦怠、全身無力，尤其是在費力登山時，更甚者開始出現頭痛、失眠、持續的心跳加速、噁心和嘔吐(尤其是小孩)。最嚴重的症狀則包括意識混淆、急性精神分裂、出現幻覺、還有肺水腫造成的持續咳嗽，最終則可能出現抽搐及昏迷。
At some point I think they journey will be stop here as the rain still ongoing without the intention to stop. Well, it could be the power of the prayers from the group, it starting to slower the shower as we still manage to take off for the 2nd part of the challenge.
It was 230 in the morning; we need to light up the path with headlamp and torch. The second part of the trail is different. Most of it was rock climbing, walking on a constant slope of granite surface. Some point, you need to hold on to the rope as there was not much of the space for you to walk on it. Do not look down as you don’t want to fall off the cliff. For the first time I felt the tiredness as the air is thinner here and it drains your energy faster. Furthermore, I didn’t sleep at the first place, and didn’t take the supper, the freezing cold air and rain has force some of the member at the halfway.
Chocolate has been the savoir and allowed me to continue the challenge. After restore the energy, I was able to walk towards the peak. There is nothing much to see over here, just a large field of granite, and of course it is not just flat. You still have to force the way to overcome the slope and avoid the slippery surface; a slip will bring you to nowhere. The weather and temperature just doesn’t allow me to stop for photo shooting. Freezing cold when I have to take off the glove in order to take photos. I was thinking to take video at the first place, where this will never workout with the rain constantly hitting the camera, unless I have the water proof casing…. (hmmm… another thing into the buying list? Hehe)
I put my backpack on somewhere and straight rush on to the peak, and hardly find it on the way down. :p It is a bit crowded on the top where we just able to take some photos and starting to get down. I cannot stand the temperature with the strong wind and the rain is getting heavier. Rushing down as you can see the water has rapidly formed into river, then waterfall. That has urged you to walk faster, as you still have rope and cliff to overcome. Safely come down to the place where we take off from the dark. I twist my knee when it was almost reach the rest house, where I stepped on a moving rock.
It has slowed me down for the process of going down from the Laban Rata toward the Timpohon gate. But slowly I have found a way to minimize the pain that the left leg will suffered from the direct force. This has allowed me to catch up with the last group of the member and to continue the way back home.
It is worth it even it just a piece of certificate that indicates you has been there, with some photos of course. It was a memorable experience and starting to look forward to improve on the next challenge. I missed the stick that has gone through the expedition with me throughout the journey. It has absorbed most of my body weight, sweat and tension when I have to grab tight on it.
Along the journey, you have to prepare for it, the toughness as you can predict. The preparation to face the unpredictable weather, cope with it. The journey ends when you reach home safely and learn something along it, aside the experience, blending in, justified to the environment. Sometimes not necessarily reaching the peak does matter, the improvement, the courage, self-reflection is the main lesson for the journey.
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