14 Jan -Mersilau trail

Mt kinabalu from Kundasang

Though I’d never seen the peak of mount Kinabalu. I'd heard for years that this part of country was one of the most beautiful places on earth, so I jumped at the chance to join the sabah trip 08.

Our destination –Low’s peak(ironic huh? Tallest peak named LOW peak).

“Mount Kinabalu is the tallest mountain between New Guinea and the Himalayas and reigns over an astonishing variety of scenery. While the lower reaches of the mountain serve as a botany fanatic’s dream, it is the upper reaches that captured the hearts and imaginations of climbers. Mount Kinabalu is known to be one of the most accessible peak and no specialized mountain climbing skills are required to ascend it. Thousands of tourists visit Kinabalu National Park every year with the intention of reaching the summit (number of visitors at park headquarters now hovers around 200,000 per year).”

Malaysia travel guide

We supposed to leave Zen resort by 8 am, as usual, we left around 9am. Our driver got our guide on the way to Mesilau park.In the shadow of Mt Kinabalu, is Kundasang, centre if highland vegetable industry on hillside terrace. Its famous for its vegetable stalls that operate 7 days a week. We stopped somewhere near Kundasang War Memorial, which is dedicated to those who took part in military campaign in sabah during WW2. due to time restraint, we didn’t visit it . It is quite different from the usual museum-themed memorial, it is more, erm, garden-like , with lots of plant and garden décor.

Kundasang War memorial

Reached Mesilau Trail around 10am. The day before, we’d agreed on taking Mesilau trail up and descent using Timpohon. I was quite worried, as I read from travel log, Mesilau trail is much harder than TImpohon. Starting from Mesilau Nature Resort, its leads to Layang-layang, and meets Timpohon trail approximately 6 km, yes, 6KM! This route is used maily by scientist, (maybe that’s why U6S fella like it) and researchers as its trail is longer, 8 km compared to Timpohon’s 6km. We had to register and pay small fees before we start.

After 1 hour procrastinating/ prepraring outself, our guide, taising ,wainer, and veronica briefed us ( not many information anyway) we started our journey.

The lower part of the mountain was beautiful lush Borneo rainforest, with tall trees and amazing plants and flowers blanketing the ground.

At the end of August they have the Mt. Kinabalu Climbathon and runners race to be the first up the mountain. I could not imagine climbing up and down the mountain in 3 hours!

I expect the trail would spawn a mad profusion of mosses, lichens and stunted forest , chai peng and I brought lots of medicine, bandages, in contrast, the trail is rather dry and well-planned. The trail, though lush, is nearly devoid of animal life. Maybe it’s the cold weather , or maybe we’re so occupied that we didn’t notice.

The start of the trail from Mesilau Gate is an enjoyable walk in itself that only takes about one hour, one way. The trail starts from a shelter just above the reception office in the tall oak-chestnut forest, but conifers( not sure bt the real name) soon become more common and climbing bamboos dominate the undergrowth.
After about 30 minutes, near the ridge crest, the forest suddenly becomes much shorter and more stunted, with rocks and boulders jumbled among tangled tree roots, covered in spongy mosses.

Pitcher Plants(there;s one species name Low's pitcher ,could hold up to 2 litter of liquid! again, I failed to spot it)

The path soon rises steeply once again to an open patch, before leveling off slightly, still following the narrowing ridge crest which opens out at the top, giving stunning views of the mountain above, if it is clear, and of the waterfalls and rock faces above the resort, dozen of waterfalls flows like a silver treads along the mountain;s rocky surface as well as views over to the mountain range. I have to thanks chaipeng, for suggesting us to stop and took photos. If its wasn’t for her, I probably stop that often to take photos, as I’m eager to trek as fast as possible. Jia mien and pey yi was far ahead us at that time!

Later on, the trail starts to descend quite steeply down the other side, through taller forest with climbing bamboos. Some little streams are crossed before reaching the Kipuyut bridge( hope I get the name right), a suspension bridge across the swift-floating West Mesilau river at around 2000 meters, that flows down from the precipitous slopes of the Eastern plateau above. Chaipeng and I planned to take photo on every km signs.

Endless waterfalls which only can be seen from mersilau

High on the mountain, above the forest, sprawled a scene- forests in thousand shades of gray, haze that constantly moving, changing before our eyes like mirage. Then the wind would rise, gust the haze away exposed a different view of those forest. Despite its ardous, long trail, Mesilau has amazing waterfall and flora compared to Timpohon.

we;re reaching 6 km.

From here the trail follows the ridge, rising steeply and continuously, up and up and up in almost never-ending series of steps for about 2.5 kilometers after a pondok(check map) with occasional views across to the Summit Trail as you get higher. At last you reach a very narrow col which joins onto the main Kinabalu trail. From here another 500 meters (0.25 mile) of trail, more or less contouring around the trails, will bring you out onto the Summit Trail, a little way above Layang-Layang (Carson's Camp). We spotted a squirrel,( or rat) scavenging in rubbish at the trail’s meeting points. Does squirrel over there develop a fondness towards Mars chocolate bar, since that the main food that climbers throw along the trail? I’;m glad they set a rules that once climber being found littering along the trail, they wont get their certificate. It really works, cause the trail is surprisingly clean .

breathtaking~

The whole route from Mesilau to Layang-Layang is 5.7 kilometers give or take.

The longer the time we took to trek, the tighter the knot in my stomach become. A short distance, 0.5 km took forever tp climb. Chaipeng’s encouragement and assurance helped a lot! Along the trails there are regular appearances of rest hut with untreated mountain water( those minerals, vitamin,parasite in the water somehow restored our strength, and its tastedSWEET!).

2km to Laban Rata

By 6.30, chaipeng and I reached Laban Rata. It was dark by then and we're desperately looking for the main registration hut. Cold and fatigue, we managed to find the main entrance (they didnt even have stairs there). Once we stepped in, we sat down and started grabbing food!