UPM invades Sabah, Part 1 - from sea level to 1500 masl

May 22, Kota Kinabalu - Eight years ago, I was roaming the streets of this city like a stiff mummy. Leg muscles tight from climbing up and down hard from Mt. Kinabalu, the highest accessible mountain this in Southeast Asia (at 4,095 masl, if you want to know). I don't look back fondly on those post-climb walks. I vowed not to end up like that again now.

the famous KK swordfish

I find myself here again because of a (somewhat) last-minute decision to join fellow UP Mountaineers planning to climb Gunung (mountain) Kinabalu. Cats booked their flights as early as July last year, the moment Cebu Pacific announced their Piso-fare promo. Cece wanted to go up this mountain, so we waited for a good deal online. 

We landed two hours late because of the usual airline excuses (heavy rains around NAIA, airport got closed, yadda yadda). As we expected to arrive close to 4 a.m., the people from the hostel just gave us the pass code for the door and left the key to our room at the counter (they're correct to trust us).  

It was peak climbing season now, so we had trouble booking a room in Laban Rata. Good thing Cece found this outfitter in the nick of time (maybe a week or two before we left for KK), though a bit more expensive than the standard rates. 

We had half a day to go around KK before we head to the Park. Our climb was to start the following day and the tour package initially included a pick-up and on the same day of the climb. I thought this was not a good idea since we'll be climbing from almost sea level to above 3,000 meters in less than 12 hours. In the Himalayas that is a no-no. So I suggested we stay overnight outside the park to properly acclimatize.

There was still nothing much to see in the city center, except for new malls. Before we got here Casper and I were telling them this is just like Davao or Cebu, except in Malaysia, and people are driving on the wrong (other) side of the road. Beer was also expensive, which was a bummer.

The van picked us up as scheduled, Coach Noel and Casper, who were cycling instead of joining the climbing team, went on ahead in another van with their bikes. It was a two-hour trip up a winding mountain road. I really appreciate how good the roads are here, despite a bit too narrow. Mt. Kinabalu was hidden under a thick cloud. Outside the park, the road is wet and it was drizzling. Not a good sign. 

a pile of cats in D'Villa Rina Ria

We are staying at D'Villa Rina Ria, about 500 meters from the park entrance. Modest dorm-type accommodations for RM30/person (at least there was hot water). Casper and Coach caught up with us, and we proceeded to check out the places to eat dinner. The clouds parted close to dusk, and peak showed itself to us. It looks so far away. 

I pointed to Cece people checking out and how they were penguin-walking (the way I was eight years prior), and told her that we shouldn't be like that when we get down. I really was determined not to be like that again.

Dinner was tom-yam. After eight years, we're (Casper and I) still eating the same thing. There was a light breeze so it got a bit chilly.

We walked back to the inn a bit worried. What was lacking was enough clearance on the side of the road where we can safely walk clear from getting hit by incoming vehicles. A minor thing, but still troublesome. 

Tomorrow we start early. The climb up Laban Rata will take about 5 hours, depending on our pace. It's better to arrive there ahead of the rain, which was in the forecast. What is important is that we pack light so that our legs will be fresh for the summit push. (I, however, decided to carry a bit more, as "training". And also to test my new pack).

UPDATE: Click here to read the second part