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Also in the photo series: Mike Tee visits Krabi for some rock climbing adventure in Thailand!
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The Trip » Mt Kinabalu: Day 2 |
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After a short rest, the climbing began again at 2.30am. We had to start early to make it to the peak for sunrise. |
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The Photos |
Click on the thumbnails below to view the larger photos. For best viewing results, press the F11 key on your keyboard to view in fullscreen - once done, hit F11 again to return to normal browser mode. |
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1.) The winds were strong and cold. We hiked in a line. It was pitch black. In a way it was a blessing - coz we crossed terrains that we would never have done if we could see. |
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2.) Three and a half hours of groping in the dark and battling the strong chilly winds, at 5.55am - and we made it to the summit of Mt Kinabalu! |
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3.) Unfortunately, the mists were really heavy that morning (from far, the mists would be known as clouds, no?), so we could see jack shit. |
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4.) Further down, we could see more climbers coming up. |
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5.) ...and up... |
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6.) ...doing the customary photo shoots. It got pretty crowded as more climbers arrived. |
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7.) When this photo was taken I was standing on top of the highest rock I could find at the peak - so technically I was at the highest point above everybody else in South East Asia, for all of 5 seconds. I'm the man!!! |
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8.) As the mist started to clear up, visibility improved. |
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9.) I could see huge, huge rocks from across the chasm. Scary stuff. |
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10.) Kinda makes you wonder - if we're mere specks in the whole scheme of things. |
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11.) Ropes are provided at tricky sections of the climb. |
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12.) The white ropes also act as a route marker so that straying nincompoops wouldn't get lost. But seriously - it's important. Visibility is barely 2 metres away when the mist is thick - and getting lost in the vast area of the peak could prove fatal. |
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13.) Yes, the landscape at the top of Mt Kinabalu is HUGE. |
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14.) The sharp point is another peak, known as "South Peak". |
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15.) When in doubt, just follow the white rope. |
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16.) Descending - and I could make out the entire landscape far, far down below. Magical view. |
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17.) As rough as granite rocks are - certain parts get very slippery when wet. It drizzled slightly on our descent, and I fell on my skinny ass several times. |
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18.) Along the way, I could make out little huts in the midst of the slopes. Probably rest houses / shelters for the guides in case of emergency. |
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19.) Danger. If you slip you will fall and roll down all the way to Kota Kinabalu. |
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20.) Again, if in doubt, use white rope. |
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21.) After a short break for Maggi Mee at Laban Rata, we promptly made our way down towards Timpohon Gate at the foot of the mountain. |
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22.) Now remember this long flight of descending steps at the start of the journey, at Timpohon Gate? Well what an awfully cruel joke - we were tired, exhausted, thirsty, hungry and desperately dragging ourselves on wobbly knees - and in the end we still had to climb up the same set of stairs to finish!!! Absolute torture. |
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Next: Manukan Island » |
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