The journey of a 40 something not so
seasoned climber who is not so fit also – you may find this useful if you are
in this category
I am on top of the world
(The
preparation stage)
Reaching the peak of SEA highest
mountain has been on my Bucket List ever since I had my PCL surgery in 2008
(link). It finally became a reality
short of 10 years since the fateful surgery that changed my life forever.
The dream is finally a reality
The reward is endless once you reach the peak
Constraint by my deteriorating knees
condition, being at this age, having left the navy for almost 2 years, and being
almost 10 kg heavier did not make me over optimistic about the attempt. However, I did not think I wanted to let the
opportunity pass by either. So after
almost saying no, and after much contemplation, I decided to commit myself to
the climb, with barely one month left to prepare myself. 19 slots already booked for the climb, and now
one of them had my name sealed on it. No turning back anymore. Made a pact with
Kamal and Hidayah to be training partners during the preparation phase. Are we up for it? We shall see.
The Kinabalu training posse
Training
Phase
20 July – First day of training for me,
Kamal and Hidayah. We were in terrible shape.
To start the build up doing circuit training under close supervision of
a trainer wasn’t what we had in mind.
Motto to cheer us up “Biar sakit sekarang!” (Better to be in pain
now). No pain no gain… yes we were in
pain for a few long days after that.
First taste of killer exercise
22 Aug – Last day of training. Ready or
not, here we go.
Last day of exercise before the real one
Summary of training phase:
a. No of times I
trained: 21 times.
b. Types of training: Mostly climbing up and down Bukit
Tangki Air Wangsa Maju (and the surrounding nature trails, twice at Batu
Caves, padang near Mardhiah Mosque Taman Melawati and a few other training opportunities.
The 1.5km return trip at Tangki Air Wangsa Maju. Over and over till you drop
Then we added another 1 km of nature trail just to make it more realistic
More Bukit Tangki Air
Muka senyum, dalam hati Tuhan jer yang tahu
When outstation I did a bit of swimming
Or a bit of the hotel gym
The steep climb of Batu Caves was excellent to diversify the feel of climbing
Bulging vein at the forehead after reaching the top of the stairs
Another circuit training day....arghhhh
The posse all beat up after circuit training
Doing rugby coaching always helped to boost up the fitness and motivational level
c. Longest distance
walk: 14.5 km daily total on 6 Aug 17 (10km exercise and the rest out shopping
with family) and 10.3 km up and down Bukit Wangsa Maju on 13 Aug 2017.
Many free apps to help you track your exercise
Track your exercise. It keeps you motivated about your progress
Was the training sufficient? I thought
so. However, I was in for a real
surprise came the real climb. I will
give parallel comparison between training and the real thing later.
What
to Bring
Most of my climbing gears were bought
from Decathlon. They were of good
quality and reasonably priced. Unless
you are a seasoned climber, don’t spend too much but don’t compromise on
quality either. Decathlon was good enough for me. Worth every RM I spent and didn’t cost me a
bomb.
My bounty from Decathlon, a really good bargain
These are most of the thing I brought,
and also some tips what not to bring, and what I wish I had brought with
me.
Item
|
Remarks
|
Rain coat
|
Essential as chance of rain is 99.99%.
Use two piece type-jacket and pants (don’t buy cheap poncho type, you will
regret it). Mine cost RM59 from Decathlon.
|
Hiking gloves
|
Essential to climb up and down steep
rocks during the final stretch to the peak. I used rugby
gloves which were perfect. RM29 from Decathlon.
Photo credit: Decathlon Malaysia
|
Hiking shoes
|
Make sure buy waterproof ones. Mine was only RM99 from Decathlon.
Photo credit: Decathlon Malaysia
|
Compression pants x 3
|
Keep you warm (no need to wear
underpants). You can get good cheap
ones from Decathlon costing between RM40-60.
|
Thermal pants
|
Not necessary unless you hate even the
slightest chill breeze. I brought a pair but didn’t use. RM29 from Decathlon.
|
Jacket
|
Essential only for the final climb. RM69 from Decathlon
|
Hiking t-shirt x 2
|
Dri-fit shirts are perfect. Quick to dry, lightweight and doesn't take much space. I used my regular exercise dri-fit.
My alma mater shirt was well used
|
Thermal shirt x 2
|
Essential for the final climb. I also used one during the initial climb to
base camp. RM59 from Decathlon.
Photo credit: Decathlon Malaysia
|
Hiking trousers
|
Essential. However, in my case they were was too loose that I got annoyed. Ended up only wearing compression pants and
rain coat pants – perfect for me!
|
Knee guard
|
I used strap type as I have bad knees.
Helped to keep my knees stable throughout.
RM19 from Decathlon.
Photo credit: Decathlon Malaysia
|
Hiking socks x 4 pairs
|
Thermal pairs from Decathlon were
cheap when I bought them. Minimum 3
pairs to ensure your feet are always dry.
|
Hiking headband
|
For me this was enough. Ski cap is
probably better. No need ear muff –
too tacky for me, but your call. RM9 from Decathlon.
Photo credit: Decathlon Malaysia
|
Selipar (sandles)
|
How to go to bathroom at base camp if you don’t bring them. Glad I brought them. Ensure you bring the lightweight type.
|
Headlamp
|
A must for the final climb. Better to
bring simple LED light without the unnecessary additional functions. I
actually brought 2 headlamps (1 for backup as I saw some people who had
problem with this). They were actually
my daughters’ when they went camping.
RM29 each from Decathlon. Works
just as good as any LED light out there.
Photo credit: Decathlon Malaysia
|
Power bank
|
A must if you want to stay connected
during the climb while at the same time taking a lot of photos.
|
Bag pack
|
I brought 2 bags but 3 is actually
ideal:
a.
Main bag to
carry most of your things – use porter service to carry to base camp. RM59
from Decathlon.
b.
Medium size
back pack – for climb to Base Camp as you need to bring food, water, power
bank, rain coat etc.
c.
The tiniest
back pack for the final climb – to carry spare head lamp, water bottle, small
towel, power bank. You can wear rain
coat from the very beginning (reason why I used 2 piece rain coat not the
poncho type). RM10 from Decathlon.
|
Luggage
|
To keep the stuff you don’t need for
the climb. In my case I stayed another
2 days in Kota Kinabalu so this luggage is essential for me. You can leave it at Kinabalu Park when you
climb.
|
Small face towel x 2
|
A must to wipe off your sweat
properly. I just slip it across my
wait pouch – my best friend during the climb.
|
Hand band
|
I use this as a quick way to dry my
sweat. Use alternatively with the face
towel.
|
Sejadah mini
|
For Muslims if you wish. You should try to make it to base camp
before sunset so you can pray there.
During the final climb your face towel is suffice to serve this purpose
for Subuh prayer.
|
Water bottle
|
No explanation necessary. No clean drinking water except at Layang
Layang Hut (4km check point) and base camp.
|
Spray wuduk
|
If you can’t hold your wuduk during
the final climb then bring this. Not
needed in my case.
|
Lip balm
|
Not really unless you think you need
it.
|
Waist pouch
|
Yes for me as I keep my phone and
other essentials in here. Also use it
so that I can slip my face towel across it during the climb.
|
Whistle
|
I was advised to bring one so I
did. The trail was safe
throughout. Don’t think you need it
but no harm to bring it anyway.
|
Baseball cap
|
Not essential but I wear one
throughout as mine has ear flaps.
|
Sunglasses
|
Not needed unless you are vain.
|
Power bar/chocolates/ honey tubes
|
Yes definitely. I eat these in small bites throughout the
climb. I also consumed honey in small straw-like tubes for energy booster.
|
Phone cover (waterproof)
|
Not needed. I just used zip-lock plastic bag to keep my
phone dry.
|
Plaster
|
Yes, in case you get blisters.
|
Yoko Yoko
|
My best friend to help ease muscle
pain. I used it before, during and
after the climb.
|
Panadol/paracetamol
|
I consumed them twice during the climb due to severe
headache. Yes, please bring them.
|
Zip-lock plastic bag
|
Very useful to keep your stuff
dry. I also keep all my gear in small
trash bag before stuffing them in the bag.
All my stuff were kept dry which was a great comfort.
|
Heart rate monitor
|
I didn’t bring one but I wish I had, as there were times
I simply
had to stop as my heart beats were loud enough I could hear them.
Post-blog posting note: I just saw on Youtube that your Android phone heart rate monitor can measure just as good, if not better, as those expensive gadgets out there. So, your call. Only that in the case of using mobile phone, you have to stop, and put your finger over the sensor. |
Trekking pole
|
I didn’t bring one. I felt it would hinder my movement. I saw may people use them so it is your
call.
|
Climb Itinerary
This is the route to Mount Kinabalu peak which I downloaded
from the internet (Photo credit: http://www.mountkinabalu.com)
Total distance to climb 8.72km
(6km from Timpohon to Laban Rata, and the balance from there to Low’s peak).
Our own itinerary for the climb can be summarised below:
27th August 2017,
Sunday
- Arrive at Kinabalu Park, Check-In, Dinner at restaurant
* inclusive of Dinner and Hostel accommodation
28th August 2017, Monday
06:30 Breakfast, collect packed Lunch
07:30 Meet at Reception area to gather with guide
08:00 Depart to Timpohon Gate
08:30 Start the climb (to reach at Laban Rata area around 12pm-3pm)
18:00 Dinner
* inclusive of Breakfast, Packed Lunch & Dinner and Hostel accommodation at Laban Rata
29th August 2017, Tuesday
01:30 Early Supper
02:30 Start climb to summit (reach around 05:30-06:30)
Decent back to Laban Rata for Breakfast
12:00 Lunch at Balsam Café, Kinabalu Park
Return to KK
- Arrive at Kinabalu Park, Check-In, Dinner at restaurant
* inclusive of Dinner and Hostel accommodation
28th August 2017, Monday
06:30 Breakfast, collect packed Lunch
07:30 Meet at Reception area to gather with guide
08:00 Depart to Timpohon Gate
08:30 Start the climb (to reach at Laban Rata area around 12pm-3pm)
18:00 Dinner
* inclusive of Breakfast, Packed Lunch & Dinner and Hostel accommodation at Laban Rata
29th August 2017, Tuesday
01:30 Early Supper
02:30 Start climb to summit (reach around 05:30-06:30)
Decent back to Laban Rata for Breakfast
12:00 Lunch at Balsam Café, Kinabalu Park
Return to KK
The preparation phase is over and I was ready to
go. I had mixed feelings about this;
excited, anxious, worried, butterfly in the stomach… you name it. However, as always, when push come to shove,
I’d just numb the feeling and just focus on the immediate task in hand… one at
a time…. Mt Kinabalu here we go!!!
To be continued in the next entry........