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31/08/2012 – I still remember it was rainy all night as if the sky felt the pain of my muscle aches and poured gallons of tears on my behalf. As I peeped out from my sleeping bag, I saw the bright sky in the rainy night. It was then my desire came into conflict with my physical strength. My body wanted to stay at Camp 3 the whole day sleeping while my desire was for the summit. I gave in for the summit of Gunung Mulu as I chickened out at the thought of having to survive on my own for 12 hours in the middle of Borneoan jungle.

The best part of prepping ourselves to continue hiking was when we had to change into the already wet trekking clothes. If you are not familiar with hardcore hiking, a hiker would normally have one set of clothing for trekking purpose. The same set will be worn throughout the trekking period. The challenge then was to put the wet clothes to our warm body. Yikes!!

At 3am, we left Camp 3. I was asked to walk behind our guide making me second from front.  Equipped with headlamps, we walked into the darkness, the unknown. Camp 3 was at 1270m elevation. The journey continued to Camp 4 at 1800 m elevation and then extended to the summit at 2376 m. The trail from Camp 3 to Camp 4 is fairly steep with short ascents and descents.

We reached Camp 4 at 7am. The sun was out. There were wooden shelter where we took a rest in. 50m away from the shelter, there is a helicopter pad overlooking the valley of Melinau River, as well as Gunung Api and Gunung Benarat. Best chance to get a clear view of sunrise at 6.00 to 6.30a.m.

After we had ample rest, we continued on the most difficult sections. A steep section with ropes fixed over the steepest, hazardous stretches. At some points, steel steps were found to provide stable steps for the hikers. The stretch from Camp 4 to summit may take more than three hours. It is here that our mental durable was challenged to maximum level. After one steep stretch to another. The moment you thought you have completed the steepest stretch, there’s a cheat play. The ropes were fixed in a spiral way. Walk on a flat stretch for a bit, another steep stretch awaits you.

At all time, I remember what Abang Ayen aka guide tersohor Perak said, ” Dalam hutan, tak ada siapa yang hebat. Tak ada gunung yang sama, tak ada pengalaman yang sama. It is us against the nature. You have to survive no matter what.”

We reached the summit at 1pm. unfortunately the clouds had already enveloped the mountains when we arrived. Forget about the view, I was glad I made it to the summit. It is an achievement! Ain’t no mountain high enough for me. Since the theme of the trip is Merdeka Raya, we conquered the summit on 31/08/2012. Selamat Hari Kemerdekaan & Selamat Hari Raya. Raya songs were played on the summit, most of the team members changed into their raya outfits. No, I didn’t bring my baju kurung. But I borrowed Gaban’s pink baju Melayu. Because of the efforts we took to celebrate a day of Syawal on top of the summit, the kuih raya I ate that day was one of the best!

And there’s still 6-7 hours journey back to Camp 3. We reached Camp 3 at 10 a.m.

(All pictures are credit to Muhammad Bond)

Alhamdulillah, terukir seribu kenangan mendaki gunung Mulu di Sarawak.

18 hours journey from Camp 3 – Summit – Camp 3.

SO HOW DID YOU CELEBRATE YOUR INDEPENDENCE DAY ON 31/08/2012? 

If you miss part 1 of my Mulu Expedition, please read the journey here –  HIKING GUNUNG MULU (2,376M): ULTIMATE HIKE (1)