Left my old self in the mountains

I feel like I have been reborn. I feel as if I had left my old self in the mountains.

A group of friends and I had hiked up Mount Kinabalu over the weekend and it was more challenging than we had expected it to be. We set off early in the morning from Mesilau Resort on the merciless Mesilau trail to the base camp, Laban Rata. The scenic route began fine with full of energy and enthusiasm but exhaustion soon crept in after about 6 hours of continuous trekking.

The final stretch to the base camp was a steep climb over a rocky path and the bag that I was carrying on my back seemed to be pressing me against the ground. I began to take frequent short rests and each time I wondered how much farther I had to go. Each time I unloaded my bag from shoulders, I could feel my entire back spring up suddenly. Fatigue had set in and my mind was filled with thoughts of warm food. There are moments when I almost wanted to call it quits but I was stuck in the middle of nowhere and the nearest place of comfort was where I was heading in the first place - the base camp.

Nearing my destination, I heard a laughter at a distance and hope rang in my ears. I summoned whatever remaining energy for the final spurt but after every stretch of distance I cleared, there seemed to be neverending stretches more to go. Still I persisted, determined to find the source of the laughter. I cursed and swore my way up and eventually I arrived at the base camp, the place I can finally rest and reward myself with hot steamy food.

However, it was not the end. With what little rest we could get that night, the following morning around 2 AM, we set off for the summit for the sunrise. It was still dark but I realised that suited me better since I couldn't see very far ahead and thus not be demoralised by the distance. I had left most of my stuff at the base camp, heading up with minimal gear and weight. Making it to the top really requires enormous endurance and sheer determination, as I had to will myself to keep moving up the steep rocky face.

The view from the summit was simply breathtaking and a sense of achievement overwhelmed me. It is said that mountains are the abodes of Gods and truly I felt enlightened by the entire experience. To see the splendid sunrise was a testimony of faith, and the trivialities and worries of my life just dissipated into the thin air. I was totally inspired by the view until I looked down below, and realised that I had indeed covered a great distance up and it was going to be a long way back down...