"It's not easy, but if you're relatively fit and healthy - you'll be fine" is what everybody said of Mount Kinabalu. How difficult would it be? I decided that I would climb the stairs from the platform of Quarry Bay to the entrance; that would be my preparation. I, like most of my friends had drastically underestimated the climb, it wasn't so much the ascent but the descent which would prove to be the most challenging.
Mount Kinabalu is a 7 stage climb, it's not so much of a climb but more of a hike. There were moments of hands on knees, hands on hips, hands on the ground but for the most part it was like being on a stair master for two days. Our biggest fear at the start was not so much the physical challenge but Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) or altitude sickness. Our sherpa was a middle aged lady, with rosy cheeks and a portly, low centre of gravity. She would be our guide up and down the mountain and had made a living escorting tourists up and down the mountain twice a week. Her stout appearance gave us encouragement as we set off in mid morning.
The first few stages were relatively straight forward, we were passing groups with relative ease and making quick work of the provisions of muesli bars and snacks. It was around stage 6 where things got a little challenging, the goal was to reach base camp before sunset otherwise the park would be closed. We arrived at base camp ahead of schedule. Unfortunately the temperature had dropped significantly and we were starting to feel cramps and niggles, a good night's sleep was critical. Unfortunately our dorm had no showers, and the the dorm that did have showers had no hot water. We cleaned up as best as we could and socialised with the other tourists (so. many. tourists) and no surprises here we were the group late to Ferrata training! The afternoon was spent chilling and mentally preparing ourselves for the morning start.
Nobody slept, the dorm creaked and of the person who slept, his snoring kept everybody else awake. We rose at 2 am, to some warm coffee and some biscuits. The point of the overnight stay was to start the day early to reach the summit before sunrise. It was bloody cold, we made it to the top and the view was breath taking. Our afternoon was spent ferrating around the mountain, a lot of fun and a challenging to the motor skills.
What people failed to mention was the challenge of coming down the mountain. The jagged, uneven steps were like jolts to the joints.. Each step like a test of the shock absorbing ability of the body. Still, our sherpa pushed on and as quickly as we scaled the mountain we had made it down. Our legs like jelly, our faces covered in sweat and rain. We had made it off the mountain, but only just. It's times like this you question your own fitness levels particularly living in Hong Kong.
Next stop Shangri La. I looked at our group, there was visible signs of stress and physical exhaustion. I turned to my friend and asked "Why would you climb this mountain twice?".
Mount Kinabalu is a 7 stage climb, it's not so much of a climb but more of a hike. There were moments of hands on knees, hands on hips, hands on the ground but for the most part it was like being on a stair master for two days. Our biggest fear at the start was not so much the physical challenge but Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) or altitude sickness. Our sherpa was a middle aged lady, with rosy cheeks and a portly, low centre of gravity. She would be our guide up and down the mountain and had made a living escorting tourists up and down the mountain twice a week. Her stout appearance gave us encouragement as we set off in mid morning.
The first few stages were relatively straight forward, we were passing groups with relative ease and making quick work of the provisions of muesli bars and snacks. It was around stage 6 where things got a little challenging, the goal was to reach base camp before sunset otherwise the park would be closed. We arrived at base camp ahead of schedule. Unfortunately the temperature had dropped significantly and we were starting to feel cramps and niggles, a good night's sleep was critical. Unfortunately our dorm had no showers, and the the dorm that did have showers had no hot water. We cleaned up as best as we could and socialised with the other tourists (so. many. tourists) and no surprises here we were the group late to Ferrata training! The afternoon was spent chilling and mentally preparing ourselves for the morning start.
What people failed to mention was the challenge of coming down the mountain. The jagged, uneven steps were like jolts to the joints.. Each step like a test of the shock absorbing ability of the body. Still, our sherpa pushed on and as quickly as we scaled the mountain we had made it down. Our legs like jelly, our faces covered in sweat and rain. We had made it off the mountain, but only just. It's times like this you question your own fitness levels particularly living in Hong Kong.
Next stop Shangri La. I looked at our group, there was visible signs of stress and physical exhaustion. I turned to my friend and asked "Why would you climb this mountain twice?".
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