Mount Kinabalu......

Flipping through some old photos.....oh gosh! Time flies and it was 3 1/2 years ago when I together with my gym buddies climbed the highest peak in South East Asia.

Still remember it was quite a challenging and tough climb....the timing wasn't quite right especially during the raining season with uncertain weather. The ascent from Kinabalu Park to Laban Rata was delayed due to an early morning rain.

It was drizzling on and off.....but after some 6hr+ we finally reached Laban Rata Resthouse approximately 3,272 metres above sea level. Laban Rata offers climbers hostel accommodation and a restaurant before resuming their climb to the peak the following early morning.

The thunderstorm started right after mid night awaken everybody from their sleep.... the rain with occasion thunder and lightning wasn't seem to be kind on us. We might have to call off the climb to the peak if the guides find it too dangerous for us to proceed. All climbers were gathered at 2am, had light breakfast and awaiting for further instructions from the guides.

At 4am the rain has finally slowed down....although the winds outside the resthouse were still very strong....everybody decided to give it a try though we were already behind the usual timing .....so we all fought through the strong winds and drizzles to continue our climb to the peak.

Recalling the last stretch of the journey to the peak which was about 800 metres in distance from the last checkpoint (Sayat-sayat Hut, 3,680 metres above sea level)....after coming so far....so it was just another 800 metres away.....but I took the longest time ever to finish a 800m walk... to fight through the strong winds which I hardly stand straight on my feet....the effects of altitude sickness started to kick in as I approach 4000 metres above sea level.

After some 40mins later.... I finally made it to the peak! A mixture of feelings....joy, excitement, and also disappointment...no sunrise reward for that morning. Camera of fellow climbers got jammed!!! argh!!! :(