The Climb pt1

We've opted to use the new trail - Mesilau trail and not the more established summit trail. one reason being you get an extra cert saying that you went up with this trail. it's 1.5 km further, doesn't mean much if you're in a car, but when you're hiking with a 5-6kg backpack, shorter is better.

started off around 9.30am and were among the last group to leave the trail. do pick up a walking stick which costs rm3 to help you along the trail. you start off with a short climb, follow by more climb. in the first 500meters i was ready to give up. we were walking at a fast pace and by then all my stamina built from jogging around the house were used up.

boy did i prayed for God's strength to help me along.
guess what, God answered my prayer. after the 1st stop i felt much better and although was the last (among my group of 4) had not felt like dying and thought of giving up had disappear, although at times my legs were on auto pilot, they just moved on without any thoughts guiding it.

as i reflected on this, it seems to me that God will give strength, _________ (fill in the blank) when we've exhausted our. most of the time we ask for strength,this and that when we've not even exerted those things that we asked for.

it's a beautiful trail with lots of things to look out for - beautiful scenery with diff vegetation and animals ( saw mountain squirrels, rat and birds ).tried to take some photos but all most of them were blur - taken with shaky hands.
don't be too busy climbing that you forget to take a look around and enjoy. this also gives you an excuse to be slow ! - learned this fro the MNS* birders.

i reached Laban Rata at around 4 pm exhausted. 7.5km of track. from a height of 1563.8 meters to 3314.3 meters high....but we stayed at Gunting Lagadan Hut (3323.5 meters) which meant after a quick hot drink, makan and rest (ok, not so quick) we had to climb some more.



*MNS = Malaysian Nature Society