Mount Kinabalu is the tallest mountain in South East Asia. The summit, Low’s Peak, sits at 4095.2 meters (13,435 feet) above sea level. It is an 8.5 kilometre (5.25 miles) trek to the top

Derives its name from the Kadazan word, ‘Aki Nabalu’, meaning ‘the revered place of the dead’. 

Climbing Day – The Journey Begins

The day started early — a 5:00 AM wake-up call at the hotel to get ready for the big climb. By 6:30 AM, our shuttle picked us up and we were on our way to Kinabalu Park Headquarters. The ride took about two hours, and we arrived around 8:30 AM.

At the headquarters, we received our hiker IDs and packed lunches (a very diet-conscious meal — seriously, where’s the rice?! 😂). Our guide, Gabriel — or Gab, as I liked to call him — got us prepped and ready for the ascent.

As soon as we started the hike, I was already panting like I’d run a marathon. And this was just the beginning! It felt like an endless staircase straight into the sky — I was thinking, What did I sign up for?! Part of me wanted to just turn around, head back to the hotel, and spend the day reading, eating, drinking… repeat. 😅

But thank goodness for my team. They kept pushing, cheering, and encouraging one another, and that gave me the energy to keep going. It was tough — especially if you hadn’t trained seriously — but I had something to prove (hi, haters! 😜), so I powered through.

Red Riding Hood in Mount Kinabalu. I love the flowers and the trees. It did rain quite a bit in the forest while we were climbing.

Arrival at Laban Rata – 4:00 PM

We finally made it to Laban Rata at around 4:00 PM — after a brutal 6-kilometer hike! It felt like forever, but we didn’t even care how slow we were. What mattered most was that we reached our first major stop.

By then, all I could think about was the buffet dinner waiting for us. But first — a quick shower to freshen up. Big mistake. 😅 The water was absolutely freezing, dropping to -1°C! I couldn’t feel my body halfway through. I seriously questioned all my life choices in that moment. 😂

After dinner, we had our summit briefing at 6:00 PM — going over the plan for the final push. And by 7:00 PM, it was lights out at Laban Rata. Time to rest and recharge for the ultimate challenge ahead.

Day 2 – February 19: The Final Ascent

I barely got any sleep that night — nerves, altitude, and excitement all rolled into one. At 2:00 AM, we were up and getting ready for the big push to the summit. This was it!

By 3:00 AM (Malaysia time), we had a short briefing on what to expect. It was still pitch dark, so I strapped on my headlamp, layered up, and prepared for the final 2.5 km climb. Just 2.5 km between me and the summit — sounds manageable, right? Not exactly…

The temperature had dropped to a brutal -2°C. My gloves were a lifesaver, especially because this stretch included ropes and some serious scrambling. Yep, we were basically rappelling in freezing cold and thin air. Breathing was tough. We needed to reach the checkpoint gate by 5:00 AM to make it in time for the sunrise at Low’s Peak.

Midway through, my water bottle slipped and tumbled into the darkness while I was rappelling — gone forever! 😩

Eventually, we reached the South Peak. I was so relieved… until I realized — this wasn’t the summit yet! What the actual—?! We still had 1.72 km more to go, roughly another 20 minutes of climbing.

Two of my friends decided to stop there and wait at the South Peak. I almost stayed with them. I was exhausted, freezing, and mentally drained. But I couldn’t give up — I’d come too far, and reaching the summit had been my dream for so long. That goal is what pushed me forward.

It was even tougher doing it alone. The rest of the group had gone ahead, and I found myself climbing the final stretch with no one around. That last 20 minutes felt like an eternity. I’m not even kidding — I almost cried. It was that hard. 😅

I honestly wanted to cry — I could barely breathe. The air was so thin, every step felt like a battle. But I was so close, and I knew I couldn’t give up now.

I had to stop and rest what felt like 10 times on that final stretch — I didn’t actually count, but it sure felt like it! 😅 Each time I paused, I tried to catch my breath and shake off the altitude sickness that was messing with my head. It felt like my body was hitting its limit, but my mind refused to quit.

Every break felt like a small reset, and even though it was slow progress, it was still progress. I just kept telling myself, One more step. Just one more.

I could feel the summit getting closer… and so was the dream I’d been chasing all this time.

I Made It! The Summit of Mount Kinabalu

After what felt like the longest 20+ minutes of my life… I finally reached the summit! I couldn’t believe it — I actually did it! I felt like Superwoman up there. 💪🏼😂

Of course, I had to celebrate the moment properly — cue a full-on photo shoot with my flag at the top. Gotta capture that “I conquered this beast” vibe!

The Descent: The Real Struggle Begins

Now, here comes the part no one warned me about… the descent. 😩 If I could’ve called a helicopter to pick me up, trust me, I would’ve! Going down was brutal. My toenails kept slamming into the front of my shoes — and wow, the pain was unreal.

To distract myself, I started chatting with other hikers who were just beginning their climb. I probably talked to every stranger I laid eyes on! 😂 But honestly, hikers are some of the warmest, kindest people you’ll ever meet — one of the many reasons I love mountain climbing. The trail brings out the best in people.

We finally made it back to Timpohon Gate around 5:00 PM — just before they closed it. And yes, we were absolutely starving! I asked what would’ve happened if we hadn’t made it in time… apparently, we would’ve had to go back to Laban Rata to sleep and attempt the descent again the next morning just to make it before gate closure. Nope. Hard pass. 😅

Day 3 – February 20: Heading Back to Singapore

It was time to return to Singapore, and even though my body was sore and exhausted, my heart was full. I couldn’t wait to share my story — with my family, friends, and colleagues. This was more than just a hike; it was an experience of a lifetime.

The adventure, the challenge, the breathtaking nature, the amazing food, and the incredible people I met along the trail — all of it made this journey unforgettable. Before we even left, our group was already dreaming up the next one: Mount Fuji in Japan, possibly in July. I was so ready for it.

May 24, 2020 – An Unexpected Pause

Unfortunately, like many plans in 2020, our Mt. Fuji climb had to be put on hold due to COVID-19. The pandemic changed everything. Travel came to a halt, and climbing mountains had to take a back seat to a much bigger battle the world was facing.

So many lives have been affected, and like everyone else, we waited and hoped — for healing, for a vaccine, and for the day we could chase mountains again.

May 5, 2025 – Update:
I did it! I’ve officially completed the Asian Trilogy. Woohoo! 🎉

Love,
Maria,sometimes,Niskie