To set foot on the highest peak in Malaysia; priceless. (Well, at lest if you are a nature type of a person)

The journey wasn’t that simple. It started with a slow hike couple years back. Yeah, couple years back.

As I could recall, I did plan for Kinabalu since 2007. I contacted Lair (Azlan, my buddy from MCKK class of 98) and told him that I would follow him to Kinabalu at anytime he would go since he’s one of the avid climbers. Yes he is crazy enough to climb that rock more than three times.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have the opportunity to join him due to financial difficulties and bad timing. Despite the constrains that keep on keeping me farther away, he said “Kalau susah sangat, kau pegi je sorang. Join je mana-mana group”. Okay, not cool.

Last resort my friend, that’s my last resort.

2009, I made a promise to myself that I will step foot on that blardy rock in this two years time. I have to do something. I made a plan. It was plain simple. Get a group of fives. Pick a date and go. The end. Sounds easy but, executing it, horrid. (exaggerated a bit. lol)

A trip to Gunung Kinabalu on 2010. Assisted by the super experienced Lair, he told me that Laban Rata beds booking will be open six months in advance or else, last minute booking availability will be only on luck. Thus for a January 2010 trip, the booking must be made on July 2009.

I had big problems.

Problem number one, i have to get at least five friends whose willing to hike 4,095 meters high no matter what. Five? To climb Mt. Kinabalu, a guide will assist at most a group of six. Thus, five is acceptable to share the guide fee and minimize cost instead of me alone paying the guide fee. Invitations, proposals, invitations, proposals, invitations.

Oh wait, before that I need at least a date. Hello problem number two: To pick a date that will satisfy EVERYBODY.

Problem number three, I have to advance all the payments(yes, the booking need FULL payments as conformations) and bear the risk of someone bailing out from the trip and screw my pocket up. Well, friends can be screw ups when it involves money you know.

And the ding-dong started.

I managed to get five people but then, others wanted to follow. I had to open another group of five to minimize guide fee. Telling you the truth, getting another five was absolute pain. No bookings can be made until there are 10 confirmed-no-play-play-people. After a while, convincing here and there. I manage to get 10.

Sometime late Q3 2009.

The early stage was to climb on February 2010. With Lair’s help we did several bookings and several cancellations due to technical difficulties such as split dormitories between Laban Rata and Waras Hut. The only way is to change date. Then, another problem where all beds at Laban Rata was already freakin’ full until April for group of 10.

May 2010 also follow through. I was devastated because it was so hard to book for a large group with such limited place. Plans go on hold and I have to wait until January 2010 for June 2010 booking. On the 4th January 2010, we did the booking. Great relief.

I swiped my plastic to the max for all 10 person. Booking successful. I was so excited and happy. I even bought the flight tickets for some of the team members in advance.

Stage one completed.

Then, it comes to the drama. Time for payments. One suddenly can’t be reached, one confirmed bailed out and one on the verge with a risk of pulling another one overboard. It’s now my pocket at stake, my plan at stake, my dream at stake. At this point, I realize how negligible people can be to others. I was very frustrated.

With a helping hand, I manage to get the team together again and manage to get a replacement. It was the most difficult part of the process. Organizing, being a friend and giving out hope at the same time. It really drains me out. Thankfully, everything turns out fine.

Stage two completed.

I promised that I will conduct series of training every month so that everyone got the idea of their fitness level, get used to the hiking environment and prepare physically and mentally. We did climb some hills and mountains.

Stage three completed.

And from out of nowhere, one bites the dust. Fortunately, a replacement immediately comes in.

Stage four completed.

It’s June. The all waited month. Alhamdulillah, we all safely climbed 4,095 meters high on a beautiful morning of 28th June 2010. Safe and sound. It was one of the best thing happened in my life.

28th June 2010 - Macho gila sial gambar ni! Wohahaha!

I struggled, I shrugged, I swallow it all.

Here I am on the 28th June 2010 high above the clouds, saying to myself;

“What a wonderful world.”