Group conquers Mt Kinabalu in minus two Celsius temperature
RANAU: A 12-year-old boy was among seven people who braved the freezing cold to reach the peak of Mount Kinabalu recently.
The climbers from Kelab Aki Nabalu Tamparuli, Anthony Onggoi, Alandev Anthony, Jocelyn Marciana, Ashton Xander De Anthony, Ivy Marcella Kayawa, Tanjong @ Edith Embagos and Christella Raymond endured the minus two Celsius temperature to arrive at the summit.
The youngest in the team, Ashton, was proud of achieving the feat and said that it was a long walk to the top.
“Even though the summit looked near, it was actually quite far,” said Ashton who was among the first in the group to reach the summit.
“Despite the windy condition and the cold temperature, I succeeded in reaching the top,” said the Primary Six student of SK Bantayan Tamparuli.
Another climber, Jocelyn, said she was shivering due to the cold and wind.
She added that it was a tiring but also a fun climb.
Prior to the climb, the group stayed for one night at Panalaban before continuing their climb to the summit at 2.30am on Saturday.
Anthony, who is the head of the expedition, shared that he has conquered Mount Kinabalu 10 times.
Despite his experience, he said that it was still challenging to climb the tallest peak in Malaysia.
“We had to use all our energy and determination.
“As we neared the summit, we had a bit of breathing problem due to the windy and chilly condition, but it did not stop us from reaching the peak and attaining the certificate and medal from Kinabalu Park,” he said.
He also thanked the porter who guided them on the trip.
The group ascended the mountain on Friday, beginning at Pondok Timpohon towards Panalaban and rested at Laban Rata.
The expedition to summit Low’s peak continued at 2.30am the next day.
The journey to the summit takes between three hours and four hours.