Mount Kinabalu- Tips

"Here is my catch,things that kept me going all the way up towards the top."

Encouragement

-Try to know as much people as possible, you will have ample opportunities during lunch, resting hut, gathering/briefing point, exchanging short stories your way up.

-Nice words are like fuel to the mind, so start first, say something nice to at least 5 paxs

-Transmitting positive energy to one another, give a high five to  friendly hikers coming down.

Chanting Mantra

On the second day when i was suffering from altitude sickness, On the way up, almost vertical sloop i would literally drag my leg, moving very slowly in every 6-8 steps i would grasp for my breath, at that point of time i really though of quieting, what really helps me in overcoming myself is by chanting Mantra!

    ‘I am more then I appear to be, all the world’s strength and power rest in side me’

    ‘If those Hong Kong Girls can do it, I can do it’

    'If I can do this I can do anything’

  ‘You are here to conquer not to slack’

  ‘Oh yah Oh ya’ The warrior way

Go create yours ;)

Useful Stuffs

-Hiking Pole, Helps in going up and especially down! When going down hill the stick helps to absorbed the downward pressure by supporting and lessen weight on my leg, and its also good to test the soil, rock , I brought my for SGD$10 at army market Singapore  light weight and retractable, used one time already can throw away that type.

-Energy Bar, I have 8 pieces, breaking the bar sharing with everybody it’s a good way to make friends, recharge your energy.

-Sufficient warm clothing, Its important to insulate your head and neck, get a good gloves those with grip, its good for maneuvering the ropes.

-Know your body tempo, its good to pace yourself rather then others people, that strictly work for me, for the start, I was with 2 mates and a guild, both of them were always big step ahead of me, and whenever I pace up I get tired easily.

Afterwards I suggested that since I am slow I should depart first and meet them at the next rest point! We agreed and I was the first to reach Rabin rata rest house 0215pm.

For my own body I need to rest for maybe 5 mins for some drink, stretching and I am good to go, and as with the team we used to rest for 15-20mins which cool down my body too soon and that break my momentum. So knowing your own body temperament, know your own style.

-Small Steps, Along the way there are different terrain, some with high steps, huge stones, fragmented stones, roots, its good to use small steps rather than big leap, it helps to save energy and you will have better control.

-Walking Zig Zag  when you are descending downwards slightly lean your body weight backward, this is useful going down the steep granite, the purpose of walking zig zag is to balance the pressure on both knee so to not over stress on one particular knee.

-Medical Kit, For sure one will have muscle ach, so muscle cream is a must!  plaster for blister…. And what you think is necessary!

- Bring only the necessary stuff with you, remember additional clothing, equipment's will add weight on you, so just bring what you need, you can lodge your belonging at the Sentuary Lodge for RM$10 at the beginning or you can always pay your mountain guild RM$80-150 for porting your bag for the entire journey.