Photos Gallery of Mt Kinabalu Trip 2011 In Aid of Apex Penang Education Fund
Here are the photos from our recent Mt Kinabalu trip. Thank god, we were blessed with perfect clear blue skies although it was raining heavily the previous afternoon. Thoroughly enjoyed the trip and looking forward to Mt Rinjani, Lombok next.
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| Lunch at Round Inn, nearby Poring Hot Spring. Very touristy, place was fully booked and we had to settle for a table outside. |
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| Meow! Poor cat begging for food |
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| Rock Pool. The only cold bath at Poring hot spring |
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| Hot baths. Each can have their own private bath. |
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| Group photo at the spacious living room of our Nepenthes hut at Kinabalu Park. Too bad we only had a short stay and don't get to fully enjoy the amenities. |
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| Hall where we had our pre-climb briefing |
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| Balsam cafe @Kinabalu Park where we had our dinner, breakfast & pre-packed lunch prior to the climb. The dinner buffet was awesome! |
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| Our VIP dorm at Laban Rata "Buttercup 3" |
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| Fully packed cafeteria @Laban Rata resthouse |
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| Beautiful sun set as viewed from Laban Rata resthouse |
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At Low's peak 0545am |
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| Group photo with St John's peak as background |
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| Awaiting the sun rise at Low's peak - 0608 |
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| St John's peak as viewed from Low's peak |
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| South peak amidst a sea of clouds |
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| Hikers making their way down with South peak and St John's peak in the background |
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| Signboard at KM8, the final one before Low's peak |
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| An unidentified peak captured on the way down |
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| The sea of clouds and rocky terrain is simply magnificent |
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| Donkey ears peak |
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| Some vegetation still able to flourish in this harsh environment |
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| Hikers still making their way up the peak |
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| A pool of water forming the previous day's shower |
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| Another peak on the way down |
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| Amazing terrain, the weather was perfect with clear blue sky |
Mountain Torq's Via Ferrata "Cliff-Hanging at 3,776m"
On: Monday, February 21, 2011
This is my 2nd trip to Mt Kinabalu, the 1st dating back in 2008. We decided to do something different but the thought of cliff-hanging via ferrata seems quite disturbing at first. I've seen photos of people attempting it and it was pretty scary at a glance and there was the weather too. Gutsy winds and freezing temperatures would surely add to the excitement if not exhilaration of this attempt.
So we reached Laban Rata at noon and made our way to the Pendant Hut for the Via Ferrata registration and familiarization session. We were introduced to our friendly trainer Joe who had also gave us the compulsory briefing and demo session. There were 2 routes to choose from, the shorter "Walk the Torq" and the longer and much challenging "Low's Peak Circuit". My cousin Jeremy just grabbed the form and signed it without hesitation while the 3 of us read through the fine prints. Walk the Torq or Low's Peak Circuit, we decided on the latter eventually. Traversing the mountain via Walk the Torq normally takes 2-3hrs while Low's Peak Circuit would usually take 5-6hrs, depending on fitness levels. Both routes eventually meet towards the ending section. We knew what we were up for but at the same time it just gives us extra impetus to reach Low's peak which was our next challenge on hand. Praying hard that the weather would be kind to us as bad weather would definitely force the Via Ferrata off. Refunds are provided for bad weather but not withdrawals. We were told that once we were hooked up to the harness, there was no turning back.
We reached Low's peak at about 5:30am just in time for the sunrise 30mins later. The cold weather and gustling wind didn't allow us to stay for too long as we made our journey down to the meeting point of Via Ferrata some 30mins away. Waiting for us was our trainer Joe who gave us final instructions on the harnessing methods and safety measures. There were only 3 groups on that day including us. One group has just started their descend while the other one miss the cut-off time at 7:30am.
We were quite intimidated at first hanging by the edge with only ropes and harnesses. We were hanging 3,000m above sea level and everything below looks like an abyss. Of course it is very safe and we were hooked to the harness at all times but the thought of falling keeps us at our feet all times. We were 100% focussed on our task of swapping the harness to the next line as we made our way down. It was totally an awesome experience. My top highlights of the route are the suspension bridge at 3,600 asl, the mini jungle, the 2 & 3 tight-rope walks and the vertical cross-over.
The best part of the Via Ferrata is anyone and everyone can do it without any technical mountaineering experience. You can test your limits without jeopardizing your personal safety. You just need determination, guts and a lot of adrenaline. What I loved about it is the photos and memories I brought back from this experience which I can share with the whole world. Enjoy the photos. Via Ferrata!
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| Our gear being prepared for us |
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| Final preparations... |
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| All geared up and ready for the plunge |
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| Our trainer Joe so casual and relaxed |
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| Look at the awesome blue sky |
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| Our view of the sea of clouds |
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| Never look down |
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| 100k man, Mr Jeremy Tan enjoying himself |
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| Group photo at 3,887m |
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| I love this photo. It's going to be my facebook profile pic for some time. |
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| We spent ~2hrs scaling down these rocks |
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| 50m into the climb and still looking good |
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| A photo of the footholes which we understand could hold up to a tonne in weight |
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| It's just like climbing down from a ladder. This is the favourite part for Kazuo. |
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| Another treacherous part of the descend |
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| The mist is forming fast and we are still very early into the journey |
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| The suspension bridge is swaying all the time |
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| Traversing the 3-line tightrope |
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| Finally reached the Laban Rata resthouse, totally exhausted but feeling awesome! Still a long way down to Timpohon gate |
Yet Another Successful Trip to Mount Kinabalu!
On: Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Just back from an amazing trip to Mount Kinabalu. Weather was perfect, the hike was perfect and everything went as smooth as it can get. If only one can complaint, it is the lack of photos which we took at Low's peak because of the freezing temperature and the need to rush to the meeting point of Via Ferrata before the cut-off time.
Below are our itinerary for the trip. There will be more photos and updates coming by, so stay tuned.
Day 1 (11-Feb)
11:00 - Arrived at KK and check into Tune Hotel 1 Borneo (Airport transfer RM60, before 11pm is RM40)
00:00 - Checked into Tune Hotel and had a few drinks at Ice Bar nearby.
Day 2 (12-Feb)
10:00 - After breakfast, depart to Poring hot spring (One way transfer RM300)
13:00 - Arrived at Poring hot spring and lunch.
13:30 - Relaxing dip and enjoyable walk at canopy walk
15:30 - Depart to Kinabalu park
17:00 - Arrived at Kinabalu park, registration and check into the Nepenthes lodge.
18:00 - Attended the pre-hike briefing and proceed to Balsam cafe for the buffet dinner.
22:00 - Finish packing our stuff and retired for the day.
Day 3 (13-Feb)
6:30 - Breakfast at Balsam cafe and collected the packed lunch.
8:30 - Checked our luggages into concierge, introduction to our guide and depart for Timpohon gate. Hired a porter for extra luggages at the rate of RM8/kg.
8:45 - Arrived at Timpohon gate and started our hike.
12:15 - Arrived at Laban Rata, rest and lunch.
13:00 - Check into our room "Buttercup 3"
15:00 - Via Ferrata registration and briefing at Pendant Hut. Low's peak circuit at RM550/pax.
17:00 - Dinner at Laban Rata cafe
19:00 - Finish packing and sleep
Day 4 (14-Feb)
1:00 - Wake up and have own meal (Supper at cafe is served from 2:30, so we decided to have our own meal)
2:00 - Start hike from Laban Rata
5:30 - Reached Low's peak ahead of the sunrise.
6:00 - Sun rises over the horizon with clear blue skies.
6:30 - Descended to the meeting point of Via Ferrata (Cut-off time for Low's peak circuit is 7:30)
7:00 - Arrived at the meeting point and getting equipped with the climbing gears.
7:30 - Started Via Ferrata Low's peak circuit
10:00 - Arrived at the mini jungle
11:00 - Arrived at the meeting point of Walk the Torq
12:30 - Arrived back at Laban Rata, rest and breakfast (Requested for packed breakfast from the staff as breakfast is only served till 1030)
13:30 - Descend from Laban Rata to Timpohon gate
15:30 - Arrived at the Timpohon gate and transfer to Balsam cafe for lunch
16:30 - Collected certificates of Low's peak and Via Ferrata
17:30 - Depart from Kinabalu park to Likas (One way transfer RM250/van)
20:00 - Seafood dinner at nearby Seremban Seafood Restaurant (Expensive!!!)
21:30 - Foot reflexology at Thai massage 1 Borneo
Day 5 (15-Feb)
10:00 - Check out of Tune hotel and explore KK (Free shuttle from 1 Borneo to Warisan Square)
14:00 - Back to 1 Borneo and depart to airport (One way transfer RM40)
17:00 - Depart back to Penang
Dinner Notice 890th
Place : Jade Palace Restaurant ,Abd Sitte Lane,Penang.
Date : 6th April 2011
Time : 7.30pm fellowship
Chairman : Victor R Corbett
Finemaster : Anthony jayakumar
3 RD CIRCULAR BY NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT APEX MALAYSIA 2010 / 2011
It was a very enjoyable Mid term Meeting in Penang during the first week of March. A group of Singaporeans that comprised the whole of the National Board were present. 2 Apexians from Australia were also present. The 40 th Anniversary of the Apex Club of Penang was celebrated that night and many old friends were there to enjoy each others company.
This years National Convention will be hosted by the Apex Club of Kuantan from 5 th to 7 th August 2011.Please support them by registering early. For your information the undersigned was the first to register and pay up in full. As fellow Apexians we should help the organizing Club in whatever way we can so please register earlier. For details call Apexian Ramanaidoo at Tel no.
019 9508480.
Nationwide Joint Dinner Meeting cum social.
Date Saturday 30 th April 2011.
Time 7.30 fellowship.
8.00 p.m sharp Dinner
Fellowship to follow.
Venue Royal Commonwealth Society, 4 Jln Birah Damansara
Heights K L. tel 03 20944238
Cost T.B.A. Sit down dinner.
Dress Strictly long sleeves. Or no entry.
Contact Dr M. Arokianatham 012 3868257.
As the NVP it is my duty to present this years edition of ‘THE
MALAYSIAN APEXIAN’ .Please E mail or post me all the
photographs of the going on .Response has been slow. If there are
no articles there will be no magazine so do not shoot me if this
happens.
LETS ENJOY APEX
Victor R. Corbett
Maria and Allan friends of Tony Wilshire , Director of Apex Foundation,Australia.
