Probably not tomorrow, and maybe not in the nearest future. But yea, it sounds like a fun challenge to re-do, especially if we had to go through the 2.30am hike to the summit. I know it may sound a bit weird, but it really hasn't sank in that I've climbed a mountain of that height, it still does not register in my brains.
How hard is it to climb KK?
Challenging? Yes. Mentally Challenging? Yeap. Do-able? YES.
Seriously, despite thinking I'll never be able to complete it when I was an hour away from the peak, I know in my heart it's very do-able. But the mental challenge was significantly more difficult than I imagined it to be. Couple it with menses, lack of sleep, lack of oxygen, it's the perfect combo to not want to finish it. But looking back, if anyone were to ask me whether it's possible for anyone to climb KK, and confirmation bias aside, I am very sure it's possible. What really matters to me was two things; motivation and preparation.
For me, my motivation was definitely from my boyfriend, and friends. It was at the point where I was ready to throw in my towel, and I could not convince myself to go over the wall. For my other friends, it was the need to reach the peak personally, the goal was their strongest pull. We all have different sources of motivation. If you intend to climb KK, try to remember what is your motivation, whether it's from within or externally supplied.
As for preparation, please see my two cents as below:
Prepare yourself beforehand.
This is especially crucial for your physical fitness. Unless you have asthma or physical disabilities, I reckon you can still climb KK, just at a much longer time and with increasing difficulties. I started training with my boyfriend climbing steps (around 5 rounds average with 3kg backpacks) 1 and 1/2 months prior to the hike. I do yoga once or twice a week, and generally I'm healthy despite being weak occasionally. Even so, I was very thankful for the exercises because it taught me to be aware of my body under duress circumstances. I know when I can push myself, and when I need a break. In increasing altitudes, this is key to ensure you can pace yourself to reach the top. Otherwise you might be panting and thinking you are actually going to die when it's just your body trying to obtain more oxygen.
For mental preparation, I reckon it comes as you practice and exercise but most importantly for me was 4 words; I can, I want. That carried me from the foothill to the top along with motivation from buddies.
Don't overprepare.
This is with regards to your backpack and luggage. Pack lighter clothes to the top and no, you don't need 6 bars of chocolates, 10 bananas and 5 packets of peanuts. Chill. Bring along lighter but high calorie foods just enough for the range of your hike (i.e. Foothill to Laban Rata). Especially important if you tend to tire first, or not as physically prepared. I ended up having to use services of my personal porter aka boyfriend 3/4 way up to Laban Rata and an hour away from the Summit because I was just too tired.
Pack light!
You have no idea how many layers we had to take off 5 minutes into the journey, too warm.
Bring essentials.
In no order of priority, these were the essentials that saved my life and allowed me to hike
1) Good shoes - I bought an Adidas trail running shoes. Totally saved my life especially on descending trails because it stopped my feet from moving too much and putting pressure on the soles and ankles. Plus it had a good grip which helped me descend the slippery rocks and dried pretty fast when it gets slightly soaked in streams
2) Walking stick - This was my extra energy going uphill and extra support leg going downhill. Super helpful to take the pressure of my whole body and it was useful as a guide on where to put my next step. Thank God for walking sticks!
3) Good backpack - I bought a Deuter AC Lite which while it was expensive but so worth it because its design took strain off my back. Despite being tired and having to let it go to my porter, at a 5kg weight I felt it was moulded into my back most of the time and didn't feel like extra baggage. There were just enough pockets and it fit a hydration bladder which was more convenient that water bottles
4) Headlamp - Otherwise we would have been stuck in the jungle for good. Yea, we may not need it unless it's dark, but without it, you cannot possible navigate the dark, feels so much safer too
5) Magnesium spray + 100 plus drink - Used the magnesium spray on my calves the night before the summit hike and it probably saved my life. This replenishes lost minerals in one's body which might take a while to replenish through food nutrients. 100 plus was useful as we were hiking as the little pick me up of energy.
I reckon there are different essentials for different people, but these were the supporting materials that really made my hike possible.
P.S: If you are shit scared of the cold like me, bring thin layers and one good thick but light jacket. Heavy stuff makes the hike stressful.
I'll end my experience from the mountain to sea with a little break in the sky post with some lessons I gained from this entire journey.
My break in the sky, photo credits to Kenny Foo Photography
Patience.
Not my forte, yet so relevant in life. The numerous times I had to tell myself to calm down and pace myself in order to get to the end, to not get ahead of myself before the right time, to push myself at the right moments. More importantly, how I deal with people under stress and I can tell you patience is not my first reaction. Sometimes I think I really am the least nice person when I'm under stress. But I've began to learnt its importance in patiently navigating relationships in difficult times. Really grateful for a boyfriend who sees this through with me as we both learn to understand each other when things get challenging.
Humility & Trust
Nature is amazing. How these trees root themselves over centuries, how the rocks and boulders come to form natural stairs, how nature lovers build in wooden steps and hung ropes so people like us could admire this beautiful mountain reminded me how I'm just a small speck in life. That I can do a lot of things, but I can also do a lot more things with and for the people around me. With that, comes a strong dose of trust lesson, especially towards others. In his words "You never listen unless you perceive the person to know better than you". Huge wake up call there that I cannot deny. It really is a challenge to learn that, heck, I'm still thinking how am I going to learn that, haha.
Being Present & Grateful
Whether it's down the steps into the valleys, or when the cold wind blows hard or at the summit of the final peak, the experience only realises when you are present. When you feel the wind sharply on your face, as you listen to your breath racing, as you see as far as your visual brings you. I didn't think I manage that well on the summit because I was just too tired, in a way I wished I had been more present. Yet, the knowledge of that was helpful on my way down when every step in the dark forest made me realise how strange the feeling of being in the forest, an unfamiliar territory can be. And following that, how grateful I am with every step we make where no one slips or trips, and getting closer to that final gate.
It's a very uncomfortable season for me recently, as I type this. But as I finish typing this, I am reminded of my four words; I can, I want.
Friends always help, always.
Add in a (stern) boyfriend for good measure.
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