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Gwendolyn Soo | profile | all galleries >> Excursion >> Mt Kinabalu | A Stairway to Heaven tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Mt Kinabalu | A Stairway to Heaven

Steep flights of wooden steps were followed by smooth granite slopes. On the steeper sections we'd hauled ourself up on fixed nylon ropes laid out over the granite surface of the mountain. These ropes are specially useful for hoisting yourself up over near vertical slopes. The final stretch crossed a jumble of boulders where a misstep could mean a twisted ankle or a fall.

We carry flashlight, one that can be worn around the head to help find our way in the dark with both hands free. We put extra layers of clothing, masks, gloves and extra socks to keep warm.

At this altitude the different peaks of Mt. Kinabalu paint a fascinating skyline. The South Peak is the lowest and it resembles a chocolate kiss. Ugly Sister's Peak and Donkey Ears Peak may look formidable to everyone else but tempting to rock climbers. Then there's Low's Peak, the highest point.

At the last 0.5 km before Low's Peak, lack of oxygen at this altitude and gusts of freezing winds will test your determination. We sufficiently rewarded when we makes it to the Low's Peak at around 530am, in time to catch the sunrise.

" YOU NEVER CONQUER THE MOUNTAIN, YOU ONLY CONQUER YOURSELF "

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5.33am on Low's Peak Summit
5.33am on Low's Peak Summit
5.34am on Low's Peak Summit
5.34am on Low's Peak Summit
5.37am on Summit (4095.2m)
5.37am on Summit (4095.2m)
5.43am on Low's Peak Summit
5.43am on Low's Peak Summit
5.43am on Low's Peak Summit
5.43am on Low's Peak Summit
5.46am view from summit plateau
5.46am view from summit plateau
5.46am on Low's Peak Summit
5.46am on Low's Peak Summit
5.48am view from summit plateau
5.48am view from summit plateau
5.49am view from Summit Plateau
5.49am view from Summit Plateau
5.49am Low's Peak glows in the morning sunlight, view from Summit Plateau
5.49am Low's Peak glows in the morning sunlight, view from Summit Plateau
5.49am on Low's Peak Summit
5.49am on Low's Peak Summit
5.55am Low's Gully where a team of commandos were lost. They were found several weeks later and...
5.55am Low's Gully where a team of commandos were lost. They were found several weeks later and...
5.55am on Low's Peak Summit
5.55am on Low's Peak Summit
6.00am view from Summit Plateau
6.00am view from Summit Plateau
5.56am St John peak
5.56am St John peak
Looking at the skies and the south peak below. It was a sunny day at the foot of the mountain.
Looking at the skies and the south peak below. It was a sunny day at the foot of the mountain.
The air is awfully thin above at 13000 feet! It was so cold...
The air is awfully thin above at 13000 feet! It was so cold...
6.03am on Low's Peak Summit
6.03am on Low's Peak Summit
6.05am South peak at dawn
6.05am South peak at dawn
6.02am the pointing South Peak
6.02am the pointing South Peak
6.57 am Last 500 meters. The last stretch to the summit. The granite surfaces can sometimes get...
6.57 am Last 500 meters. The last stretch to the summit. The granite surfaces can sometimes get...
6.34am Climbers descending Mt Kinabalu
6.34am Climbers descending Mt Kinabalu
6.37am
6.37am
6.44am
6.44am
7.33am
7.33am
The way back
The way back
goind down...
goind down...
8.37am
8.37am
the last meters way down to the Laban Rata from Summit
the last meters way down to the Laban Rata from Summit
5.00pm WE MADE IT !!!
5.00pm WE MADE IT !!!