My Unforgettable Lesson From Climbing Mount Kinabalu (September 2008) by Gokhan Khati
Indeed, it was a trip to remember. Over the two days up and down the mountain, I've been through a lot physically, mentally and spiritually. I write this to share what I had and remind myself of this incredible experience I had. And thank God for giving me this opportunity to learn.
Mount Kinabalu, located in Sabah, is the highest mountain in Southeast Asia, and is 4095.2 meters above the sea level. Usually, people spend 2 days and 1 night to address the rise. The first day is to start the ascent from the base, the Kinabalu Park headquarters to reach Laban Rata, a rest house located (3,263 m) about three quarters to reach the top. After staying there overnight, you could start making the rest of the climb about 2 o'clock in the morning so as to meet the sunrise at the summit around 6 am. After climbing trip to the base, with a brief stop at Laban Rata for lunch again. This is what I usually do for promotion.
Each year, they said, is not a contest going to end the rise of the base the summit and back in the shortest possible time. The biggest record to date is 2 hours and 36 minutes, a guy from Spain. This is a truly amazing speed. Instead, they ended up spending about nine (9) hours for the journey to Laban Rata on day 1, and a record 17 hours to finish the rest to bring me back to the base on day 2. For your information, my experience of climbing last occurred 24 years ago when I was in the Yellow Mountain in China. Needless to say this was very challenging for me. But I enjoyed it tremendously.
On 11 September, after separating all the paperwork at headquarters, and a quick breakfast at the nearby coffee shop, I set off for promotion with my personal guide, James, at about 10am. The weather was great, sunny and not too hot, with white clouds and blue sky. It was not long to begin to feel different "flavors" of the track offers: from the steps with slightly higher than normal (which is a little more demanding on the knees), with large rocks scattered irregularly along the way, the great and small rocks. I said to myself quietly, "If patience is what I have to learn, do not miss this golden opportunity."
I was enjoying the scenery and shooting busy and finding the best angle for my lens. He took my backpack brief lunch about 13:00 and went ahead. "Around 2:30 pm, it became a little foggy and we could feel the wetness around. It was 15:30 and continued to drizzle started raining heavier and heavier until the end for the rest of the afternoon and night. I had my raincoat on it was a great choice because it referred to the pouch as well. He had a cane in one hand and a large bottle of mineral water in the other. The weather was so cold that on two occasions I dropped the bottle of mineral water. Although it was raining, my mood was not too concerned because I saw it more as I get a variety of my trip.
As it was raining, James and I were walking down the road in silence. All I thought was quickly reach the rest house and a good rest. I thought James would do well. To At night, the rain becomes heavier and heavier. I felt a world of tranquility and peace. I took the hood, and the rain fall on my head. I prayed to God for the rain cleanses my body and soul.
One thing I noticed was that James has always been to guide a company to keep close to me. When I was taking pictures, he waited patiently. When I was slow in motion the steps, just take the patience to wait for me and kept my pace. I said to myself, is not supposed to be how the number of lines (MLM) be careful of the lines below? So many times, show me the easy way, or am likely to warn of the dangers. I began to see a model here in my network marketing business. I think you should play the role of a guide, not a teacher, or even a car.
People kept passing by me, including young people from Taiwan, Singapore , China, Malaysia and some also. I could not but admit the age factor was kicking in. (I later learned of a secret. In fact, most of them preparing at least a month working out to stay in shape, and so on. No wonder!)
By the time we reached the rest house, it was 19:00. We rush for dinner and washing dishes and stuff. Before going to bed (when sharing with others 4) I made sure my camera and recharge the batteries of cell phones.
The guide asked me to wake up at 1 am trying to get ready for a start even earlier. Somehow, because breakfast was not started at 2 am, he finished out around 2:30 am. This tour early in the morning can be summarized in few words: dark, strong, flashlight, gloves and clothing. "Part of the climb up is very steep. To some extent, my guide told me and asked me maybe it was too dangerous for me to persist to the summit. My heart fell. He said what he said because I saw that some of Symptoms of altitude. A couple of times, I felt a little dizzy, and at one point, I felt the desire to vomit.
I silently prayed to God and asked if I'd better stop climbing up. It seemed like a voice in my ear telling me to keep going. Doubt that it could be due to my own subconscious work, I repeated the question several times and listened. Yes, the voice spoke the same message and this time I decided to go up because there would be a prize waiting for me. I told James that the Lord asked me to continue. (He was a Christian too).
The rest is history. I reached the summit at around 8 and had been busy doing some photos on the road. There was not much of the sun and people began to move downward as it moves upward. Later, we saw a very faint image of the sun, when we were circling in the summit area. The place was basically naked with grass or weeds not much. It was impressive due to the elevation and large covered space rock. I said a prayer at the top. The time and place had something unique. For now, I still do not know if a prize is set for me and if so, what is the prize. However, I felt deeply that I already got the best prize that is, to have God with me.
By the time we reached the summit, most people have moved down. The few who were left behind only those willing to see some growth retardation of the lens, and that includes me.
The trip down was not as easy as I expected. The landscape seemed mostly unknown and I was anxious to get to the base as soon as I could. The last three hours of travel by the most demanding in my knees. I felt the pain coming from my left knee and I could relate this to what it could mean for arthritis sufferers. I promised to do everything possible to ensure that they continue to have a truly healthy body until I die.
Finally at landfall on the bridge near the base, the Kinabalu Park HQ, it was dark. I paid mercy of the four women who were behind at least one hour. But what could I do?
James was outstanding and very professional. He said he had been working as a guide for the past 16 years. He was very patient with me. Perhaps you could look at me as a kind of old. I do not know and I will not even ask.
How I feel when I finally landed on the base? I felt I had accomplished something. I felt totally worn out. Next on my mind was a good meal, a good hot shower and a good sleep. I thought it was like dragging my body to the nearby motel. After all, I had a good 17 hours of walking on uneven terrain.
This trip has given me much to think about. It is a very good challenge for me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. A few days after the trip, I noticed he had lost about three (3) pounds of unwanted fat, especially around the waistline, thanks to the assembly. Kinabalu.
I recommend going up to everyone. Would you do it again? Well, I do not think so. I've already done. At least not for long, long time. 
