I Left My Legs On The Mountain
Posted on 01.29.10 to Personal, Travels by JoanI made it down in one piece.
Going up, because I was so sick, my heart was pounding like crazy most of the way. The last 2km of the 6km trek to the hostel was very difficult. I could hardly move, and after five steps, I had to stop each time. Even when I could see the lodge, I couldn’t move any faster. It was worse when I had to climb more rocks to get to my room. (Did I mention that I am quite done with rocks for a while?)
Going down, although I was less sick, the last 2km again was sheer torture as my legs were tight and wobbly. I had absolutely no energy in them and had to carry them up to the bench at a rest stop. So every step I took was sheer mental power, and the motivation to get out of the forest. My heart rate was actually much better.
The mountain ate me alive. But I’m glad I went though – stupidest thing I ever did in my life – but nonetheless, some achievement. I’m also sure it solidified my friendship with Kim who saw me at my ultimate worst: puking, crapping, passing out. And she was awesome throughout – calm and just making sure that I was OK. She was considering not summitting either to make sure I was alright but I insisted she went and she got great photos!
I asked myself a million times why I was doing this and with every step I took up, I worried about coming down. The terrain, to me, was scary because I have a fear of heights and I’m not the most agile person in the world. Loose rocks freak me out and I was hoping my ankles don’t give way. There were also a million steps, most of them made for large people.
But I still climbed 2/3 of the mountain, with food poisoning no less, so, go me! I even carried my bag half the way. Coming down this morning, I actually considered coming back again because I was pissed the mountain beat me. But I think it will take me a while, and I need to forget the trauma first (passing out four times)!
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Comments ( 4 )
[...] frightful Kinabalu food poisoning experience (read about it here, here and here) is now documented in Catalog Magazine (April 2010). Much to learn from ‘Swedish [...]
Catalog Magazine, April 2010 | As My Life Is added these pithy words on Apr 22 10 at 2:53 PMi salute you for your great effort:) & i’m sure you’ll be back there to conquer the mountain in the future!
hj added these pithy words on
Jan 29 10 at
11:53 PM
I’m glad you’re ok! :) But I do hope you try again. That feeling when you finished your climb is priceless. Just train up more the next time (go climb stairs!) and you’ll be better, I’m sure!
Elaine added these pithy words on
Jan 29 10 at
11:54 PM
BRAVO!! you still did well, being sick is not by choice. Thanks for sharing your experience nonetheless, give me tips when I decide to brave Mt KK.
Mona added these pithy words on
Feb 02 10 at
11:22 AM
