May 14, 2007

Kota Kinabalu (BORNEO)

Figuring Out a Way onto Mount Kinabalu

The order of business for the day was figuring out a way onto Mount Kinabalu, which at 4100m is Southeast Asia's tallest mountain. Although 150 climbers are granted permission to climb each day, the next available booking is a month and half from now. Since my flight leaves for Manila (Philippines) on Friday, I had to figure out something new.

I was the first one through the door at the park office in Kota Kinabalu, but as expected I was told that there were no cancellations and the chances of climbing were slim. I spent the next half an hour chatting up the workers, and they agreed to call me later in the day if anything became available.

Rather than waiting around, I wrote down two of the girls' mobile numbers and maintained constant contact, and I even brought them a famous Malay snack when I came back in the afternoon. Fortunately, the girls were on my side and called their boss to see what could be worked out. I was thrilled to hear they would let me climb the following day, but I would have to sleep on the restaurant floor in a sleeping bag they would provide.

So, I rushed back to my hostel, and after gathering all my belongings (really not that much) the girls arranged a free lift to the park.

I checked into a small dormitory at the base of the mountain at around 7pm, and after attending an informational session for the climb I got an early night's sleep.

I will start climbing early tomorrow morning.

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