Looking back now, I realized that I could not recall much of the trekking process. However, I will try my best to remember all the details, and jot them down here accurately. Again, this proves that I am getting old, and the need to rush to get things out.
I recall, we had to walk a slight uphill once we passed the gates of Mesilau trail, using semi-formed steps of earth and some rocks. While it was not muddy, it was slightly damn. Perhaps due to the rain the day before. All around us were trees, shrubs and greenery, and oh, of course, cold weather.
I was the last of my group. We walked in single file, with Number 4 moving ahead faster than the rest of us. Being fit and having lots of trekking experience gave him the advantage, I guessed. Number 3 and Number 2 were next, with me and the Australian lady trekker following behind. Our guide were behind all of us. We didn't talk much, nor stopped to take photos photographs during the initial stage of the walk. At the most, the four of us spoke about the designations for us, and perhaps the weather. We might have talked about our targeted reaching time.
I walked as best as I could. It easier for me, as Number 3 was carrying all the baggage in her backpack. I had only to carry my lunch bag, some bottles of water, and a pouch at my waist. Still, I felt that they were going on well, and I had to do my best to keep up with the three of them. I believe, Number 4 was much ahead of us, although we could still see him.
The jungle was quiet apart from the sound of our footsteps and our occasional conversations. I was a little anxious, afraid that I might get bitten by mosquitoes or other insects, since I was wearing shorts. I had brought along the mosquito repellent but had not applied it. So far, I had yet to be attacked. Also, I was a little worried that I might get tired fast, knowing full well that I had not trained or prepared myself adequately for this.
We had walked for about 45 minutes thereabouts before we saw the marker for the 1st km. It was a good achievement. I don't remember if it was uphill all the way or not, but I felt a little elated when I saw the marker. We stopped, and took a group photo. Our guide helped us. I guessed it must had been there that we decided to take photos at all the route markers.
It was probably after that too Number 4 decided to go faster. He had said, after the climb, that he had to push faster before he got tired and lost his momentum. The three of us were left behind, walking in almost similar pace, with Number 1 wedged between myself and Number 3. The Australian lady was between and Aida, who went last. So, it was like that for most of the time in the earlier trek, the three of us with the Australian lady, with our guide walking steadily. Sometimes, Number 1 led, sometimes the Australian lady past us. Most of the time, I was at the back, chatting with Aida, for the initial part of the trek.
The three of us reached the km2 marker at about twenty minutes past nine o'clock, I think. By then, Number 4 had mostly probably sped ahead and was nowhere to be seen. Aida helped us take a group photo of the 3 of us, while we took the opportunity to catch our breath and snapped a few more pictures. It was a short stop, and before long, we made our way again.
The trek was not difficult, but yet not easy. Sometimes we had to climb up on stairs made of narrow planks, with one plank for each step and a simple hand rail for extra support. Sometimes, we had to climb down those stairs. Other times, we had to walk uphill and then downhill, climbing on rocks that formed natural steps. Occasionally, we walked at the edge of the trek to avoid mud puddles. You could just step into them, if you liked, but we didn't if we could avoid them. Somewhere along, while trekking downhill, a group of Koreans aunties and uncles passed us. Somewhere further along, another group past us, this time young Westerners.
I remembered one part of the trekking which slowed me down considerably. We had to climb down stairs, again those one narrow plank per step stairs. This was one of the steeper ones. Number 1 had gone first followed by Number 3. She was almost at the bottom when I started, while Number 3 was in between both of us, closer to me. Suddenly, I heard something dropped. I looked down, and saw Number 3 had dropped his walking stick. Luckily for him, it slid straight down to Number 1. She caught it and held it for him while he cautiously made his way down.
And there I was still almost the beginning of the steps. I had looked down, and saw the bottom beyond the steps. I knew I felt a little chilled, for I have to admit that I do have a little fear of heights. Beneath was probably just a shallow stream, nothing that could kill us if we were just unlucky to fall down. Yet, the fear just came over me. I had to stand facing the handrail, went down a step at a time, steady myself after each step was taken, all the while holding the handrail with both hands.
I knew it took me a very, very long time just get down that short flight of stairs of just about 8 to 10 steps, if not less. The sense of relief that came to me once I was down, was just immeasurable. I believed I took some deep breaths before continuing. At that time, our guide was somewhere behind us. When I started, I actually couldn't see my two friends, who by then had covered quite a distant from me. If I didn't speed up a little, I would had probably been left behind. I think I had to trek faster for a full 2 minutes or so to catch up with them. Luckily for me, that was the only time that I got stuck badly.
Although we had said we wanted to take pictures at each km marker, we didn't. We only took at some points. I guessed we were just tired and to a certain extend, lazy to take the cameras out. Especially when it started to drizzle. Yin was very protective of her camera, while I had not bring mine along during the trek as I had ran out of batteries the day before. Yes, it was bad of me! We did take some photos here and there, but not too many. Still, I think we took enough to remind us of the nature we saw there. And of course, of the adventures of our trekking!
Somewhere along, we met Number 4 again. He had stopped in the middle of the jungle path, catching his breath. With his mouth opened and sweat dripping, body stooping slightly, he looked like an exaggerated cartoon character. We couldn't resist making fun of him when we saw him, delighted to see him, yet couldn't believe that we caught up with him. He tried to save some ego by saying how tired he was, and that his injured back was finally taking a toll on him. We believed him, yet we still couldn't resist poking fun at him, calling him the rabbit, of the tale the hare and the tortoise.
At km4.8, we stopped at one of the many rest hut along the way and had our lunch. This is the usual stop for trekkers to have their lunch. The Koreans were there, also having theirs. We took that time to take a break, our first and only long break of the day's trek. Yin and I shared our lunch. We gobbled down 3 sets of sandwiches and a banana each, and shared a boiled egg. The sandwiches were surprisingly good. The remaining food, we combined and packed. The guys managed to finish almost all of their food, with only bananas and an egg remaining between them. They must had been ravishing!
Along the way, we came upon rest huts, strategically placed at intervals of a kilometer or so. There, you could refill your bottle of water with untreated mountain water if you wanted. We girls didn't but Number 3 did. Instead, we were on a mission to slowly drink our supply of water and isotonic water throughout our trek. Firstly, of course, to make sure we were properly hydrated at all times, and secondly, to slowly lighten the weight of our backpack. We had brought along some isotonic drinks, 100plus and indeed, that was a great decision. That drink certainly helped us along the way, especially along the second part of ascend towards Laban Rata Resthouse.
I must state here, so that I would remember later on. We started again after lunch. We were back to four then. About 10 to 20 minutes trekking after lunch, we came about an area where the view was simply marvelous. It reminded me of the movie Lord of the Rings. With the mist engulfing the area, the scenery was dream-like. I couldn't resist myself and took some snaps then. I must had been a little too long, seeing the eagerness in Number 4's face, raring to move forward. I stepped aside, and off he went. About 10 meters ahead of us, he stopped, turned around and waved at us. I took a shot of that and then he took off. It was a nice memory.
Looking at the photo now, he really looked so tiny in a forest encroached with mist. It was almost like a picture straight out from a fairy tale, where a little pixie appeared, waved and then vanished again. That scene too became the reminder of why he was nicknamed the 'rabbit', just like the hare from the tale, hare and the tortoise.
We reached the junction where the Timpohon and Mesilau Trial met around half past 1, perhaps. I couldn't recall. What I remember was, the trail after that was very much steeper and more stony. I had actually start to climb or crawl at times, to be more accurate, using all fours. We also met quite a number of climbers making their way down, porters carrying goods up, and people like us, going upwards. Many times, we stepped aside to let those coming down to go first and many times too, they did the same for us. Those coming down did something else too, they were encouraging us and others going up, not to give up. Even the porters and others guides did the same. Always encouraging us, always telling us, just a little more, push for it. It was a pleasant experience, everyone forgot who they were before they came, I think. There, we were just hikers/climbers, trying to submit the highest peak in Southeast Asia. Or had already been captivated by nature's wonder. I like the atmosphere then.
Not too sure when but we passed our friend, Number 4 once again. He was really looking in a bad shape. He was exhausted and his back hurt, he said. He was resting when we bumped into him. We couldn't do much. We offered to walk together, but he gestured us to move forward, if I was not mistaken. Anyhow, the three of us moved forward, letting our guide walk with him. We had to maintain the momentum before we got too tired ourselves. And so, that was how we ended up being accused as abandoning our friend, Number 4, the rabbit. That was how the 3 tortoises went on with the trekking, slowly but steadily, passing the rabbit and made their way to Laban Rata Resthouse before the Rabbit.
It was also probably after the junction of Timpohon and Mesilau Trails, heading forward on the Submit Trail, that I started snacking on my chocolate bars. Again, this is another great tip to follow. The bars were a great source of energy. I knew that exhaustion was slowly kicking into me. I could feel myself losing concentration. And so I decided to snack and bit into my chocolate bar. The effect wasn't instantaneous but after a while, I could feel my concentration coming back. It was just great. I don't how I could move forward without my bars of chocolates. They were lifesavers, mine!
We reached Laban Rata Resthouse, the stoppoint for the day, at about quarter to four in the evening. By then, it was already drizzling steadily for almost an hour. All the three of us were so elated when we saw the sign showing Laban Rata Resthouse. All the tiredness were forgotten momentarily. We took some pictures to commemorate our accomplishment. At the front of the entrance to the resthouse, at the verandah, we had someone help us took a group photo. Three very exhausted but very excited and delighted people to be there.
The place was buzzing with activities. Quite a number of groups of people were already there, sipping their drinks, relaxing. The Koreans were there, the group of Westerners were there. Not all the tables were occupied yet. We took ours at the back, taking 2 adjoining tables for 6 seats, in anticipation of the arrival of our friend and our guide. The dinner buffet would only start at half past four, we were told. So we took the time to unwind. We peeled off the raincoats and jackets and hung them over the back of the chairs to air them. I took off my shoes and pull off my socks. They were damp. I cleaned my legs as best as I could, wiping the specks of mud off using damp tissues before using some sanitizing gel.
It felt good to rest then, after trekking close to 8 hours, with only short breaks in between. We didn't realize how early we arrived at that point, until, as we sat, we saw more and more people coming in and the empty seats slowly filling up.
Our friend and the guide came in around half past four, the time the dinner buffet started. He looked so exhausted. It was good that we had a seat ready for him. He plonked himself down immediately. After he regained his composure, he mentioned that it was already drizzling hard outside. He had to push himself hard to move forward. He was just so close to giving up. But the thought he had made the journey all the way here, the amount of money and time invested for this trip, made him go forward. Salute! Unfortunately, due to rules and regulation, there were a place dedicated for guides and porters to rest, which was not there in the dinner hall.
I treated myself to a cup of warm water first, before going for the coffee. We joined the dinner queue. The food served was good, actually, especially the banana fritters. I liked them a lot! I took some rice, vegetables, beef, and chicken, forgoing the fried omelette with onions. We ate heartily. Eventhough we were interrupted to clear our things from of the seats to make way for other people, it didn't bother me. Instead, I felt this was the way we should all be living, polite, helpful and kind to others all the time. I took my 3rd and 4th cup of coffee for the day there.
Number 3 went to register our names and brought the given towels for our overnight lodging, which was another 150 m hike up, to a smaller rest hut named Gunting Lagadan. We didn't linger long in the dinner area, firstly to make way for others who were still coming up and needed the seats, and secondly, to avoid heavy rain as much as we could. Already we couldn't see much outside of the window, as the thick mist was circling the place and a slight drizzle had started again. Gathering our things, we left, grateful that we made it there, safe and sound without much issues. We had completed the first part of our ascend, the 8km trek! Well done, all!
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