Veni, Vedi, Vici... By: The Boss No comments

Good evening, rangers.

For many of us, this post is way overdue! But hey, its never too late to share with you our life's experiences and memories that will last us a lifetime! On the 15th of Dec 2008, a total of 14 young, exhuberant and totally nutty-fied rangers and youths from our church endured and experienced the adventure of their lives! All 14 lived to tell the tale...and so, here I am...speaking to you as one of the survivors. This is my story. This is our story...Our Mount Kinabalu Expedition!

Our trip began on the 14th of December. We spent the night in the beautiful Kinabalu Park, which is also listed as one of the World's Heritage Site. Its just an amazingly beautiful resort...set within the pristine green lusheous forest, the majestic peak of Mt. Kinabalu shadowing us from a distance, the smell of fresh air...awesome!! And so we spent the night preparing ourselves for the climb...getting the much needed rest and preparing ourselves mentally by playing 'Mafia' all night long. How cool! :)

Do enjoy the pics, taken by our excellent Mr. Jon Lee...the man with the lense!

Here's the group looking all excited and happy at the prospect of scaling up the highest peak in South East Asia! I can assure you...none of us were smiling like this the very next day! Haha...

There's nothing quite like sitting around in front of a fireplace (no fire of course!) with your fellow climbing partners, packing up those pounds over a scrumptious packet of maggi mee and hot drinks, and whalloping your friend's chocolates!

Distributing the goodies and energy bar needed for our climb...Ladies, here's a perfectly fine excuse for you to gobble down all these sinful chocolates in huge amounts!

The group posing with our climbing tags! Nice leh...all got tagged! I wonder who got the 007 tag! Haha...

Here's the group pic at the base camp, just after collecting our tags. Notice the magnificent mountain peak in the background? That was our target!

So here's basically the outline of the trip. Its a 6km walk to the halfway point (Laban Rata). From there, its another 2.5km hike up to the peak in freezing temperatures! Up and down...a total of 17km! So all in all, its took us almost 16 solid hours of hiking to conquer this mountain, up and down! Well, for some...it took then almost 24 hours! Haha...let's not mention who ok?

At the start of the hike...instead of Selamat Datang, they should change it to "Turn back NOW! This Could be Your Biggest Regret..." Haha...

And so, glad to say that all 14 made it to the halfway point...but everyone had their own share of frustrating and victorious stories to share. Generally, the story of the day was about cramps, fatigue, hopelessness, giving up...and also perserverance, takin it like a (wo)man, no pain no gain, and reaching the goal set before us!

This shot was taken at 2am in the morning. Yes, its freezing 7 degress at night! During my previous climb, the weather dropped to almost 4 degrees at night! And this was only at the halfway point!!! This is prob colder than most winter days...

And so, after having our dinner at 4pm on 15th Dec, after a nice warm shower, it was time to hit the sacks...at 6pm! Tell me la...how to sleep at 6pm? Not everyone's as gifted as Kevin Lee ok? Haha...anyway, we tried hard to sleep. Our push to the summit commenced at 2am on the 16th of Dec. After a round of midnight supper, it was time for the final hurdle...

Have you ever seen something as beaufitul and lonely as this? Its just miles of rock formations that seem endless and magnificent...it came to a point where you began to imagine...and realize how tiny you are in all of God's creation? And yet, you're the most precious of all creation?

And so, after nearly 10 hours of hiking, we finally made it all the way to the TOP!!! First to make it to the top is our dear Ms. Wong Tzi Li! Guess she must have popped some pills before the hike to make it to the top way ahead before many of us! Here she is, seen with her personal porter and guide, Mr. Daniel Seliong! Haha...

Mr. Simon Kong and GMA boy, Mr. Kevin Chin! Congrats, guys...definitely an achievement to be proud of and not taken lightly!

Next up, Mr Shaun Lim, Reuben Ponnian and Jason Ponniah! Steady la, Chindians...and Sheep man! Second time at the top always feels better! :)

Due to some technical issues and problems with the engine, the group was split into two. So here's the 1st group waiting patiently for the 2nd group (the remaining 4 climbers) to arrive. Sitting up there in the cold was like sitting in a freezer, literally! :) It was so cold that Shaun brain suffered brainfreeze...and he really couldn't think!

Woo hoo!! RR Selangor #6 at the peak of Mount Kinabalu...every climber who made it to the summit remembers these 2 popular signboards. Definitely the most photographed object at the summit! Some of us were so overcome with emotions, we just wanted to cry...especially William Ong and Kevin Chin :)

At last! Just when we thought all hope was gone, here comes the Super Troopers!!! Hurrah...hurrah!!! The crowd went wild and cheered them on all the way to the top! Well done, lads...

And so, after conquering the summit, it was finally time for us to go back down to the base camp. Man...it was raining all the way ever since we started our climb the day before! Conditions were just bad...our shoes and socks were wet, gloves soaking wet, fingers numb, brain freeze, underwear also wet...we just wanted to get back down! But at least now can smile a bit la...

The rock formations were simply unbelieveable! Simply breath-taking and keeps you going "Wow..."

Here's half the team spending some time at the distance signage near the top. Everytime we see one of these boards, it always brings a sigh of relief...cauz it basically tells us that we're getting closer and closer to our goal!

Phew! What a relief to be back in Laban Rata! And we're only halfway down....man!! Just look at Shaun's expression. Like a real stone...:)

Well, needless to say...all 14 of us made it back down to base camp safely by 5pm. Truly, we thank God for His protection upon the team throughout the entire journey, and also for the many people back home in GT who have been praying for us all the way. From the bottom of our hearts...Thank you God bless each and everyone of you!

Presenting you...the Mountain Crampers! Haha...bad shape la some of you! Thats why...told you to exercise rite? Every 10 steps, surely one fella will kena cramps! :)


From left: Kenny, Daniel, Sean, Reuben, Simon, Shaun, Andy, Kevin, Jason, Alison, Tzi Li, Laura and Jon Lee! WE MADE IT!!!

For more pics, do visit our RR Sel #6 photo gallery by clicking on the link on the extreme right. Photos courtery of Jon Lee and Laura Yee...

In the famous words of Julius Caesar that echoes so strongly throughout history...We Came, We Saw, We Conquered! For many of us, this has been our dream and life-long adventure. God bless, rangers!

Upon descending the mountain, someone points to Alison and asks her, "Hey Ali, wanna go up the mountain again next year?" She turns and yells. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Never again in this lifetime! Haha..." :)