Somewhere Up the Mt Kinabalu Trail
Kota Kinabalu
Malaysia
2000/10/22
To that person who never seems to write back, Liam:
I'm in the middle of nowhere. Not really. I know I'm up the mountain - Mt Kinabalu, to be exact, you know, the one with the Dragon. Unlike the legendary prince who slew the Dragon, I don't need cauldrons and soldiers to help me complicate the matter. My aim is the 'heavenly palace' of Laban Rata.
Lagging behind as expected and was knitting. Drifted to the back of the group with Lotto, Jason and KA.
Trees scrape sky, rocks chafe feet,
Mini magic waterfall,
Little hope, hop! Almost there.
Strange poem, but there's no need to rub it in. I've put my knitting away since the rain's getting it damp.

***

Less than half an hour into the hike and I'm winding. My feet are being difficult and are stubbornly refusing to move. And if you actually appreciated the first verse of my poem, here's more:
Roots frame steps, ache edge bones,
Strain for sheltered rest.
Cloud veiled sky, seek lost cheer.
Lotto just left back down the mountain. She's not feeling too well, not that's a bit of an understatement. She could barely carry on. I'm feeling bad for convincing her leave, she really wanted to make it, but this hike isn't going to get any easier.

***

Spoke too soon. This hike has proved that there is not 'worse possible thing'. Just when you think you've hit the bottom, the bottom falls off.
The reasonably comfortable drizzle's strengthened within moments and this has become a valuable thunderstorm experience. My 'rain-coat' is hardly living up to its name, even though this 'rain-forest' certainly has. I might as well have jumped into a swimming pool – I could have stayed dryer that way.
Sky pours rain, hair drip to soil,
Cold, hungry, damp to soul.
Eyes on path, ignored beauty.
The beautiful bounty of wildlife here is amazing. Squirrels (or rats as some are arguing) are roaming the area. The trees and trail are no doubt beautiful but I am hardly in the mood to enjoy it. I better stop writing before my fingers freeze off.

***

Maybe I should have visited you up north, I could have stayed warmer that way. The rain hasn't stopped for the last four or so hours. The constant downpour has turned this mountain trail into a miniature river. I really should have heeded the weather report's advice.
Missing usual Sun, missing heat
Mud speckled glasses
Muddy whirlpools beneath feet.

***

I could hardly remember what it's like to be dry again. Been hiking for the last six hours and been wet for about five of them. To think some of our group already reached the Laban Rata no less than three hours before us. Must carry on. Must stop using this letter as an excuse to stop.
Wet clothes cling as second skin,
Nearer darkness creeps,
The further we feel we are.

***

Shivering in the Laban Rata, but I'm there and miles better off than I was half a moment ago. The 'heavenly palace' has indeed earned its name.
Mirage of a miracle,
Sinfully warm, dry.
It'll melt and shatter away.

Test it. Creep closer. Still there.
Realization.
Mouth open, breath stops. I'm There!

Scalding hot soup and a dry place seem unbelievable luxuries. I could still hardly believe that I'm There.

***

I've only been here for half a day, but I've learned many things. For one, wool is very useful. More than that. It is multi-purpose, highly efficient for any joy. Need a new glasses tie? Use wool! Need a new washing line? Use wool! Want to play 'Cat's Cradle' Use Wool!
I sound like an advertisement, don't I? (So buy your wool today!!)
Time is of the essence. We're to wake at two a.m. tomorrow to climb to the Summit (the top of the mountain). I have a horrid feeling I'll be mad enough to attempt it.
From that person who is forever writing to you,
Jeannette





On some rocky slope on Mt Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu
Malaysia
2000/10/23

To that person who is warm and safe and dry, Liam,
I feel as though I've pulled every single muscle in my body - I probably have. Aches creep up in the most puzzling of places.
This hour is positively unholy. Luckily, I was able to sleep last night despite the combination of icy feet and hot stuffy body. Unfortunately, the rest of the thirteen people who shared that eight-people room with me remained oceans away from the 'Shores of sleep'
Maybe climbing up here with the complication of legendary cauldrons and armies would be easier than this. I'm officially decreeing myself mad. After five minutes of arguing with myself I've decided to reach the Summit. I know myself too well to head back down.

***

It's pitch black out here and torches seem of little use. We're to reach the Summit before dawn to catch the sunrise. The only advantage of walking in this lightless environment is that we could not see the hidden dangers and could not feel scare.
Lightlessly we trek upwards,
Untold dangers lurk,
Too cold for thought, for fear.

***

There were not many of us who dared to challenge the Summit to begin with, but our number fell as we rose and strengthened as the sun.
Seas of rock at shore the peaks.
Once molten magma waves.
Folds and folds of bare bleak stone.

She peeps from far horizon.
Sky blushes pleasure.
Clear sky, black sky, dawning rose.

Is it me or are quality of these lines are dropping?

***

I made it. Last person they thought would make it to the Summit, but I did. Not against all odds, only against about three quarters, but that hardly matters. I made it. Now I've could boast to you about once I see you. Almost did a victory dance atop the mountain, but was too afraid I would fall off.
I challenge, struggle, win.
I defied logic
I found the highest at Low's
I'm afraid you'll have to pardon the pun. Low's Peak (i.e.'low' peak) is the highest point in all of South East Asia.
Now I'm here, Top of South East Asia. Only one slight problem remains: How to get back down the mountain alive.
From that person who is victorious but half dead,
Jeannette