Please excuse the posting date, the past month has been very hectic with mid term exams and campfire preparation.
On the 10th of June, seven FirstKL Senior Scouts revisited Mount Kinabalu. Below is a concise report of the expedition
Day 1
We arrived at school at around 8.30 am. We waited for our van and left for KLIA. Our flight for Kota Kinabalu left at 12.30 pm. Our tour guide greeted us at the airport. She brought us to store where we bought some chocolate (must-have for hikers) and hiking equipments like head torches. Right after, we were driven to our our Hostel at Kinabalu Park HQ. On the way we stopped by a resthouse to take a few pictures with Mount Kinabalu in the background. We slept early to prepare ourselves for the hike the next day.
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| At KLIA |
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From left : SS Azir, SPL Leong, TL Danial, TL Harrizal, TL Wong, TL Izzad, SPL Kevinesh, Mr Sandhra
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| Kinabalu |
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| Kinabalu Park Hostel |
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| Buffet - a hearty meal |
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| all you can eat |
Day 2
After breakfast, we walked to Timpohon Gate, the starting point of the hike. We started our ascend at around 9.00 am. The route up consists mainly of rocky terrain.
Climbing up was no different from climbing a steep flight of stairs except that it never ends. Five hours later we reached Laban Rata, the resthouse 3272m above sea level. Our next hike would begin at 2 am the next day.
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| Breakfast before the hike |
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| Group pic at Pondok Timpohon (starting point) |
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| The first pit stop - Pondok Low |
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| It wasnt so rainy higher up |
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| The first clear sighting of the top of the Mount |
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| After the 4KM mark, the trail looked like hard clay |
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| the 5KM mark brought a change in terrain |
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| SPL Leong and SS Azir at the 5.5KM mark |
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| Lunch at Laban Rata resthouse |
Day 3
We woke up 30minutes earlier, at 1.30 am to have breakfast. We had to put on four layers of clothes due to the cold. The rain lowered the temperature to a freezing four degrees celcius. We began the second part of the hike at 2.30 am.
At 9.30 am, we started the journey down from Laban Rata. The seniors challenged each other by racing down Mount Kinabalu. We gathered at the bottom after 3 hours and 15 minutes. After a quick lunch at Kinabalu Park Hostel, we went to our new accomodation at Kota Kinabalu.
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| before the 2AM hike |
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| behind : Sutera Resthouse |
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| On the way down- the race begins |
Day 4
The last day mainly consists of a leisure stroll around Kota Kinabalu. We bought gifts for family and friends. It was around 2.00pm that we started the journey to the airport. After saying our goodbyes to the tour guide, we parted ways. We boarded the plane at 3.30pm but left at 4.30pm due to a slight delay. When we reached VI it was already dark.
The Kinabalu Expedition was definitely an unforgettable one. The First KL Scouts would like to thanks all the PTA and other sponsors for the financial aid.We woke up 30minutes earlier, at 1.30 am to have breakfast. We had to put on four layers of clothes due to the cold. The rain lowered the temperature to a freezing four degrees celcius. We began the second part of the hike at 2.30 am.
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| heading off to the Kota Kinabalu airport |
Some notes for scouts who may attempt to hike Mt Kinabalu in the future (composed from experience) :-
1. Bring chocolates. They are a staple on the way up. Stash a few bars in your bag pocket, munch, walk, munch, walk. Next thing you know you're there already.
2. One bottle of water will be sufficient. You can refill you bottles at every rest stop.
3. You do not necessarily need hiking shoes. Even pallas jazz (standard scout shoe) works fine.
4. Bring a head torch for the night hike, your hands will be occupied with balancing yourself while holding on to the safety rope.
5. Avoid wool gloves, they absorb water and therefore be redundant. Opt for ski gloves (waterproof) or leather ones.
6. Bring your own poncho (a durable one). The ones they sell at the park tear easily.
7. Extra camera batteries
8. It gets extremely cold near the summit. You may be tempted to wear ALL your spare clothing. Do not do this. It may rain on the way down to Laban Rata Resthouse and you will be left with no dry clothing the way down to the starting point.
9. Before starting your hike, place all belongings in a plastic bag (2 layers if desired) before placing it inside your bag.
10. Bring along medication (PANADOL, anti-nausea pills). The average hiker may feel lightheaded upon reaching Laban Rata Resthouse. It is advised that after you settle down in your room, take a pill and sleep until they serve dinner (5pm).
-The Fighting First -
