Continuation from previous post on Mulu Pinnacles (1).
Around Camp 5:-
We spent our nights in basic dormitory room:-
And here is the reminder for those who will do the Mulu Pinnacles trail.
We got up and prepared ourselves for our mission early in the morning. Other group has left much earlier at 6.30a.m. If memory served me right, we only left Camp 5 at 7.30a.m. And the trail was of difficult level with a length of 2.4km and rises some 1,200 meters from Camp 5. At first, it was a leisure but slightly steep trekking through lowland forest before climbing steeply through the moss forest.
Standing at 700m, we had been briefed the area was known as Mini Pinnacles for the gigantic limestone debris that blocks the trail. Here we stopped to muster our energy for the more dangerous trail ahead.
At the last section, the steep trail had now turned almost vertical. Climbing was made less difficult with the help of rope and 15 steel ladders. I wonder how they installed the steel ladders in the thick forest in Mulu. At the beginning of the steel ladder, there was a reminder that if one fails to reach that point by 11am, he must be accompanied back to Camp 5. He will not be able to complete the trail due to incompetency. So that’s the yardstick of your fitness to go to the viewpoint of Mulu Pinnacles.
We had to climb between limestone rocks with occasional gaps on the floor surface. We had to be careful to avoid falling in the holes. The higher we climbed, the less vegatation they were. Albeit, there were orchids and pitcher plants and other highland plants.
And finally, we reached the viewpoint. The coveted glory! Crossing off Mulu Pinnacles. After all the hardship suffered, and there I was, on this date last year, standing proudly witnessing one of the world’s geographical marvel. The Mulu Pinnacles.
Note: Climbing up may take 2-3 hours for the fit, while 4-5 hours for the average climber like me. Climbing down requires 3-5 hours depending on your fitness level.