Is it possible to miss a mountain? Yes, it is.

A year ago, 20th of August 2013 to be precise, I climbed the tallest mountain in south-east Asia. I was very lucky to get the chance in such young age. (I was 15 years old that time) It started out when my aunt cancelled on going but it was already paid for so they needed a replacement that was me!

At first, I was still having second thoughts on going because it was very close to my PMR Trials. But then I thought, "Hey, there's thousands of people wanting to have this chance so why should I just let it go?" so I decided to go. Besides, it was a free trip to climb the Gunung Kinabalu, who wouldn't go?

And so, thanking my beloved mother for giving me permission, I started to pack my things and listing the things I need to buy and I had less than 24 hours minus school time to do it. Talk about last minute preparation lol. With enough determination, I managed to do it and head to Ranau that evening (19th August 2013)

My cousin, my uncle and his wife (not the one who cancelled to go) and I reached Ranau at about 8 or 9 pm, and head straight to a small homestay. We went to our rooms and had some rest, there I met the others that was participating the expedition. We rested for a bit and then went to the town to have our dinner. After that, we went back to the homestay and rested.

The next day, I felt butterflies in my stomach the second I woke up, I was thrilled and nervous at the same time. I  was gonna climb a mountain and I had no exercise. Every climbers should at least have fitness exercises for 1 week and I had none. I was worried that I couldn't reach the top. At 7.30 am, we head to Kundasang after buying our breakfast.

Upon reaching the Kinabalu Park, there were so many foreign and local climbers and the all looked so professional. All they're climbing gears and attire were awesome, while there I was with an over-sized jacket that I borrowed from my aunt, dark blue jeans and tribal shawl that I ridiculously tied on the "very appropriate" style to climb a mountain. We registered and got in the bus that took us to a 10 minutes ride to the gate.

From left, my cousin (Ira), my uncle, my aunt and me!

We're gonna reach the top!

My team take 1

My team take 2

 So those were the pictures we took at the starting gate or Pondok Timpohon if I'm not mistaken. And my journey starts here ;)

To reach the top, first we had to hike for 6 kilometres to reach Laban Rata where there are rooms and restaurant where we can eat and rest. Long story short, we started climbing at around 8 or 9 am and reached Laban Rata at 5 pm. It took longer than it supposed to because it was raining! I was so frustrated because I was wet, my clothes were wet, it was freaking cold, the path was super slippery (thank god I didn't fell anywhere) and I effing tired. I'm really thankful to one of my teammates that I had forgotten his name (oh god I'm so sorry) that had stayed with my cousin and I and helped us. The foreign climbers were very nice, whenever I come across them, they would stop to say hi and good luck, not like some local climbers that just pass me like I was wind ha ha ha.And there was one very handsome korean around my age that said "Anneyonghaseo! Hwaiting!" to me and I melted like butter on hot pancakes even though it was freezing cold. lmao lmao xD That guy really fueled me energy hahaha.

Resting.

That's me in the orange raincoat :D Too lazy to rotate the picture. Sorry :P

Upon reaching the restaurant, there were so many people there. The first thing that I did was dipped my hands in hot water that was meant for making hot beverages and the water didn't even felt a little warm. After resting and eating, we had to hike another 200metres to reach our room. It was already dark and it was slippery but I managed to made it safely. We rested and did what we had and continued our journey at 2 am the next day. 2.00 am people. Just imagine my level of tiredness and nervousness.

Wow I look so ugly there

My tired af face

So, my story ends here. Nahhh just kidding, I'll continue it at part 2. This is all for now,
Thii

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