Mulu, Pinnacles 16 June 2008
If you were ask me 'What is the toughest thing in my life?' Without a second, my answer will be Pinnacles. 4.8KM (up & down) is just like never ending journey for me.
Never ending journey
Our never ending journey started at 7.30am. From 100m.. 200m..300m..up to 2000m We took around 3 1/2 hrs. Steepness of 60-80 degree with limestone rocks & bruises was the killing part. We have to utilise our hand and leg in order for us to go future up. Sweat was dripping off non-stop. By 10am we still at 1500m. 1 hrs to reach 2000m (checkpoint), meaning 12 minutes for 100m. Em sound easy but 'huh'. We have no choice but to rush in order to reach 2000m by 11am.
Finally, we are there by 11pm.
View from 2000m. Not spacious at all.
With the thinking that life should be better for remaining 400m as most of it is ladder. Proved that I'm totally wrong. Smiled was faded when we saw the vertical ladders, ropes around the limestone's & no clear track. All is based on our feeling & creativity. Special thanks to ChewB as she is in front of us to guide us. On the way, we meet Shih Min (the first to reach the peak), most of the teammates, Yee Hua, Yee Tze, Fook, Yen Erl, Wai Yee, Anne & finally Lee.
Simple question to them. Nice?
Simple answer to us. Em.Nice.
Vertical limestone & ropes. Killing us.
Proven that we are there. No Pain no Gain
Lunch box. 3 pieces of bread with Tuna, eggs & sausage + Claud 9.
Reward for walked slowly & carefully was hiking in darkness. We started to get worried when the sky getting darker & darker. By 6plus, the sky get totally dark in 5 minutes. I can't even see my own hand. Make me no confident on every step. I am so worried that I will fall down some where to the bruises.Luckily We meet the park ranger, Andrew. He gave Jee Ing a headlight. Life getting better as light is our hope to get out from the jungle. Mr.Lim really cannot harap. Additional reward is 'Mr.Rain' come again to accompany us at about last 200m. At that time, I'm sure Yen Erl is worried about us. Finally we reached Camp 5.
Conclusion
If you were let me know in advance this will happen, I don't think I will be joining the trip. However (to be positive), I will miss such a good experience. Since I am not a regular hiker, happen once in a lifetime is a good experience for me. I think most of the hiker won't have such experience as they always reach on time. If you were say, the track & reaching the submit is a good experience, I think we definitely get more than that. Anyway proud that we all (22 of us) managed to reach the submit. Non is exceptional. Good job.
Thing to bring with you:
*Very important for slow hiker
We are so lucky
Never ending journey
Our never ending journey started at 7.30am. From 100m.. 200m..300m..up to 2000m We took around 3 1/2 hrs. Steepness of 60-80 degree with limestone rocks & bruises was the killing part. We have to utilise our hand and leg in order for us to go future up. Sweat was dripping off non-stop. By 10am we still at 1500m. 1 hrs to reach 2000m (checkpoint), meaning 12 minutes for 100m. Em sound easy but 'huh'. We have no choice but to rush in order to reach 2000m by 11am.
Finally, we are there by 11pm.
View from 2000m. Not spacious at all.With the thinking that life should be better for remaining 400m as most of it is ladder. Proved that I'm totally wrong. Smiled was faded when we saw the vertical ladders, ropes around the limestone's & no clear track. All is based on our feeling & creativity. Special thanks to ChewB as she is in front of us to guide us. On the way, we meet Shih Min (the first to reach the peak), most of the teammates, Yee Hua, Yee Tze, Fook, Yen Erl, Wai Yee, Anne & finally Lee.
Simple question to them. Nice?
Simple answer to us. Em.Nice.
Vertical limestone & ropes. Killing us.Finally we reached the peak @ 12.30pm. Although we are so tired but still have to enjoy the scenery. This is all our reward. We jumped here and there to take pix after our lunch.
Proven that we are there. No Pain no Gain
Lunch box. 3 pieces of bread with Tuna, eggs & sausage + Claud 9.After half and hours, we have to proceed to downhill as it will took longer hrs. We are so unlucky. Mr.Rain joined us for the climb. 'He' accompany us all the way down the 400m. Slowly and safety come first as it so slippery.
Finally we reached 2000m at about 3pm. Again, thinking that life will be better after this 400m. Again, proved that I'm wrong. Slippery limestone and bruises make us even slower as we scared to fall down. I can't imagine what will happen if one of us get injure. We used all the way that we can. Face in, face out, side way, sit on the stone, grab all the thing that we can, hug the tree & what ever that ease us to go further.
The experience of darkness
The experience of darkness
Reward for walked slowly & carefully was hiking in darkness. We started to get worried when the sky getting darker & darker. By 6plus, the sky get totally dark in 5 minutes. I can't even see my own hand. Make me no confident on every step. I am so worried that I will fall down some where to the bruises.Luckily We meet the park ranger, Andrew. He gave Jee Ing a headlight. Life getting better as light is our hope to get out from the jungle. Mr.Lim really cannot harap. Additional reward is 'Mr.Rain' come again to accompany us at about last 200m. At that time, I'm sure Yen Erl is worried about us. Finally we reached Camp 5.
Conclusion
If you were let me know in advance this will happen, I don't think I will be joining the trip. However (to be positive), I will miss such a good experience. Since I am not a regular hiker, happen once in a lifetime is a good experience for me. I think most of the hiker won't have such experience as they always reach on time. If you were say, the track & reaching the submit is a good experience, I think we definitely get more than that. Anyway proud that we all (22 of us) managed to reach the submit. Non is exceptional. Good job.
Thing to bring with you:
1. 2 liter of water
2. Raincoat
3. Glove
4. Torchlight/Headlight (please make sure its big enough)*
5. Lunch box
6. Titbits eg energy bar, asam boi, chocolate, raisin, menthos*
7. Camera
8. Cap
9. Plastic bags to keep all your belongings in case Mr.rain come
*Very important for slow hiker
We are so lucky
1. Same flight with 'Ah Chan' from KL to Miri. One of the old HK actor.
2. Meet Danny at Miri Airport.
3. Tony as our organiser. Everything is well plan. Special thanks to him for all the hard work.
4. New experience, hiking in darkness.
5. No more flight re-timed, depart sharp @ 8.40pm
Reward for reaching the peak.
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