Sabah - Borneo - page 133

This part of the climb can be the most difficult for some - especially around the 4.5km
marker. You've definitely made some headway but there's still a long trek to go - no light
at the end of the jungly tunnel quite yet. It takes about 1¾ hours to reach Pondok Paka
(3053m), the seventh shelter on the trail, 5.5km from the start.
PONDOK PAKA TO LABAN RATA
'Why did I pay all that money just to climb a freakin' mountain?!'
Also known as the 'can't I pay someone to finish this for me?' phase, this part of the
climb is where beleaguered hikers get a second wind as the treeline ends and the summit
starts to feel closer. At the end of this leg you'll reach Laban Rata (3272m), your 'home
sweet home' on the mountain. Take a good look at the slender signpost announcing your
arrival - it's the propeller of the helicopter once used to hoist the construction materials to
build the elaborate rest station. This leg takes around 45 minutes.
LABAN RATA TO SAYAT-SAYAT HUT
'Why am I waking up at the time I usually go to bed back home?'
It's 2am and your alarm just went off. Is this a dream? Nope. You're about to climb the
last part of the mountain in order to reach the summit before sunrise.
Most people set off at around 2.45am, and it's worth heading out at this time even if
you're in great shape (don't forget your torch). The one-hour climb to Sayat-Sayat hut
(3668m) involves a lot of hiker traffic and the crossing of the sheer Panar Laban rock
face. There is little vegetation, except where overhangs provide some respite from the
wind. It is one of the toughest parts of the climb, especially in the cold and dark of the
predawn hours.
SAYAT-SAYAT HUT TO SUMMIT
'Why is it so darn cold out?! I'm standing near the equator!'
After checking in at Sayat-Sayat, the crowd of hikers begins to thin as stronger walkers
forge ahead and slower adventurers pause for sips from their water bottle. Despite the
stunning surroundings, the last stretch of the summit ascent is, of course, the steepest and
hardest part of the climb.
From just beyond Sayat-Sayat, the summit looks deceptively close and, though it's just
over 1km, the last burst will take between one to three hours depending on your stamina.
You might even see shattered climbers crawling on hands and knees as they reach out for
the top of Borneo.
THE SUMMIT
[Speechless…]