Top Of The World

Being the highest mountain in Southeast Asia, Mount Kinabalu will definitely offer a great adventure to the nature lovers. Situated in the hearth of the state of Sabah, East Malaysia it stands 4,101 meters high.

Looking at the magazine on my table, I saw pictures of the magnificent Mount Kinabalu. My dream of 'conquering' the glorious mountain came true when an old friend of mine, Zai called up and asked if I would like to join him in the adventure. Stunned, I uttered no other word but 'Yes'. Feeling rather uncomfortable, I asked his permission to invite Aida to come along. He agreed with the idea. With so short of notice but yet so tempting, Aida had no time to think but right away agreed to follow.

It was the tenth day of November 2000. With a large haversack on my back I headed straight to Subang Airport. Aida awaited me there impatienly. We departed from Subang Airport at 0700 hrs and reached destination at 0900 hrs. Upon touching down, Zai was already there waiting. We quickly took a chartered van to Kinabalu Park, which was located at the foot of the mountain.

Next morning at 0800 hrs, the wondrous journey began with a hired guide to show us the way up. A guide is mandatory. Climbers were not allowed to ascend without official park guides. We were told by the guide that climbing half way up wouldn't be so tough but the air would be getting colder and colder. Layers of gloves were my only protection from hand-numbing cold. The trail up the sea blue mountain extended from lush tropical rainforest through gnarled montane oak, wispy alpine meadow, and right up past the tree line to sheer rock face. Exquisite view of the summit greeted us when we reached at Laban Rata, half way up to the peak. There at Laban Rata, we booked a hostel and collapsed into cold soggy beds.

Rising up at 0200 hrs next morning, we started climbing again. We needed to reach the peak before the sun rose at 0600 hrs. Aided by a fixed icy rope, we made our way on a steep rock all the way to the summit. Eventhough it was a tough climb but it required no special skills or equipment. The arrival of daylight reveals the remarkable summit plateau of the mountain. A vast expanse of smooth rock with a weird assortment of rocky pinnacles rising from it welcomed us. 

Inhaling fresh air, I took it on one step at a time. Mesmerised with the scenic view around me, I totally ignored the dizziness I felt due to the increasing altitude pressure. Upon reaching the summit (The Low's Peak), there was no other word to describe how proud and overjoyed I was to be on top of the mountain. I felt like a conqueror standing on top of the world.

"Veni, vidi, vici"

I came, I saw, I conquered