Pit Stop

Our pit stop for the evening was at the smaller, higher Gunting Lagadan hut. The 150 m hike up to our pit stop for the evening was not difficult, but fatigue and heavy drizzle made it tricky. Again, we had to climb a number of flight of the narrow stairs at certain areas. There were also lots of puddles of water on the trek. Just as before, at certain areas we had to pass through those natural stone steps, which were extra slippery due to the drizzle.

We 2 girls led the trek this time, with Number 3 trekking slightly slower to accompany a very exhausted Number 4. Indeed, he was not in a very good shape and the fact that we all left Laban Rata Resthouse at the same time meant that he did not get to rest as long as we did. As the mist grew and we got higher in altitude, all of us got tired easier. It was just the matter of whose body could recover and adjust better to the different altitude. The 3 of us were still doing not too bad, but Number 4 really had to dig deep to make to the hut.

It was a welcome relief when we finally reached the hut. Our room, again 001, was the closest to the side entrance. At that time, we didn't think much of it, or at least, I didn't. However, as the evening progressed and more and more of it's occupants came in, being placed in the first room was certainly a disadvantage. Tired but excited people were coming through the door, with no disregard to those had already called in for the day and were trying to sleep. We could hear them talking so loudly, discussing their trek, their rooms, their conditions, everything! If only I was not in the upper bunk and it wasn't so cold, I would had properly gone out and passed a copy of the house rules to them myself. I believe these laminated house rules were in every room of that hut, encouraging people to be mindful of those who were already there.

As soon as we got settled in our rooms, we got ready to catch some rest. It was freezing cold and any desires that I harboured about taking a bath, I abandon it almost immediately. Furthermore, there wasn't any hot water available in that place. So, both Yin and I favoured to just wash ourselves up instead of taking a bath. I had to wash my feet and lower legs, for I wore only shorts for the earlier hike. Even then, the water was freezing cold! As fast as I could, I got it done, changed into a new set of clothes and got out. Outside, I washed my face and brushed my teeth as Yin went to wash herself up. We just did everything as fast as possible and got back into our rooms. The guys had washed up before us and while they were at it, we packed up the bag that we would carry for the final hike up to the submit.

As we opened the door to our room, we saw that the two guys were already lying snugly under their covers, with only their faces visible. We tried to be as quiet as we could, putting our things, getting ready for the night. One funny moment was Yin still had to change into her pants before sleeping. And she had mentioned, while we were in the toilet, that the guys had agreed to go out of the room for awhile to allow us to change. Upon seeing this, I told her to just forget about getting them out of their warm blankets. Instead, I asked to stand the corner between our bunk beds and the back of the door, while I held open the big towel to cover her. She was a little hesitant as first, but I coaxed to get along with it, assuring her that the guys wouldn't peek. Whether she bought it or not, quickly, she took her pants off and put the clean one on. The space was tight, and seeing her trying to change quietly while keeping her balance was a little funny. I laughed, a silent laugh.

I also remember that we both then rubbed some Counterpain on Yin's thigh. She was already feeling the soreness and some slight pain from the 8 hours trekking we did. So, after she had applied some on both of her thigh, she rubbed them. I helped her rubbed the left thigh, while she rubbed the right side. We did that almost half a minute, else a slightly longer, just to help the muscle relax a little. We certainly could not afford a muscle cramp or pull that night. Both guys already had their Counterpain fixes.

After that, I climbed up to the upper bunk. At Gunting Lagadan, each bed is equipped with 2 blankets. So, you can imagine how cold it was, especially to us, Malaysian who are used to temperate conditions. This time was smarter, but still not smart enough. I put my little ankle socks on, the only dry pair I was left with. Then, I rubbed my legs with some ointment, supposedly to help the muscles of my sore and tired legs relax. No Counterpain for me. I rubbed on for awhile before getting under the blankets.

Under the blankets, I tried to sleep. Once again, sleeplessness plagued me. It must be the cold, for even with the socks, I could feel my feet freezing slowly. The socks didn't seem to help at all. I did feel the warmth from the ointment though. However, slowly as the effect wore off, my whole body could sense the coldness of the room. Laying still, I would shiver, so I tossed and turned now and again. I could hear my brain sighing, another long night beckons.

Somewhere after we all had lain in bed for quite awhile, after the noisy entrance by some new arrivals to the hut, one of the four of us must had spoken out loud, I recalled that we started talking for awhile. I recollect Number 3 and me, we both were in the upper bunks of the twin double decker bed, complaining that it was just so cold, while Number 1 and 4 were saying that they were not cold, with Number 4 going to the extreme by saying he was hot!

It must had been my lucky night I guess. I think I went out for a pee and when I came back into the room, I had foraged in the bag for my winter jacket, my last resort to keep myself warm. But I do recall getting Yin to pass me things up, things like another pair of pants and my gloves. So, I'm not too sure how it went, perhaps it was a combination of both, perhaps just one way or the other, but certainly, I went up again to my bed, all wrapped up. The pants were worn half way, to cover my poor frozen feet, while the jacket wrapped my body. My hands were gloved.

It was then too, that Number 4 asked if I would like to have his blanket. He said he was just too hot underneath them. My lucky day! I couldn't deny, and took it. Under the wraps of three blankets for that night, I tried to get some sleep. The cold was slightly more bearable now. My feet were a little warmer. By the way, I'm not sure at which point, but I even resorted to down some chocolate to keep warm, with the rational that chocolates will provide more energy to burn!

It must had helped, for after quite a long while, which I must had dozed off for while, I woke up, feeling too hot! I am not sure if I had sweat then, but I remember feeling so warm that I considered to take off my winter jacket. I didn't do it straightaway, but one by one they came off. First, the gloves. Then, the jacket came off. Then, I gathered one of the blanket to hug it. I felt so much better. I couldn't believe that I would be actually be feeling hot in such a cold night. The chocolate, the jacket, the extra blanket, either one of them or the combined effect of all of them proved to be too much.

I dozed off after that, I am sure of it, although it wasn't a tranquil sleep. I woke up a few times, turned about, and must had dozed off again. As the night progressed, I remember thinking, please don't let the time pass too fast, and let us get more rest. Please let us sleep and get enough rest for the final push to the submit.

At 1am, I heard my alarm rang. I let it snoozed for awhile. I laid still in bed, under the covers. I could feel more exhaustion in myself. The dozing on and off must had tire me even more. My head felt slightly heavier than before I slept. I could hear some movement outside already, people from other rooms getting themselves ready. After about half an hour, I sat up.

Pit stop had been completed. It was time to get ready for our final push to the submit, I told myself.