Mount Wakid, Tambunan, Sabah is a 13km hike and situated 1353 meter
above sea level, it is a fairly new hiking destination right now..I
myself heard about it from a friend who just returned from hiking there
describing how challenging and rewarding the trip was for her and I was
hooked. She forwarded me details in whatsapp form.It was an all
inclusive package including guide fee, food and certificate at just
rm80/person. (Those interested to hike Mount Wakid can just go to their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/gunungwakid/) I forwarded it to my group of colleagues and friends and
the rest is history. We pick a date together and I arrange the
rest by contacting the number in the whatsapp message and arranging our
stay in Tambunan Village Resort Centre (TVRC). Fortunately the date we
pick have already been book by another group of people so were able to
combine with them to get the minimum pax needed. We had around 2 weeks
to get fit..no idea why we were so optimistic about it..
We pick 25 June 2016, a Saturday to climb but we took half day off on
Friday to make our way up to Tambunan and stayed at TVRC. The plan was
to conserve energy by getting enough sleep. By being there in Tambunan
early, we can take our sweet time to get to the meeting point in SK
Sunsuron by 7.30am. Once we arrived, we can see that a few cars have
park around the school field. There were villagers selling simple
breakfast in the school area. But we already had our breakfast before
coming there so some of us bought the food for lunch. Once our
attendance were taken, we sat or stand in a group and the briefing was
given by Mr. Jingkung himself who paved the way of Jingkung trail, a new
summit said to be much longer and challenging than the original
trail.. He gave a very motivational and sincere speech about hiking
mountains. My sister was especially touched by his words that it wasn’t
how fast you get there, it’s the journey. Infact, that metaphor can be applied
not just in hiking but in real life as well.
After that, we started the hike, only a few meters ahead, I saw my
first obstacle in the form of a river. Apparently, we were supposed to
be like Mario brothers jumping from one rock to another to get to the
other side. I was no Mario and I did not want to even jump at first..But
after seeing my sister successfully jump her way through, I jump for my
life and there begins my jumping tale. It seems climbing Mount Wakid
involves a lot..and I mean a lot of river crossing..at first we were
still playing the jumping game but at one point, I was playing kick the
river game. I just don’t care if my shoes were dry or wet anymore.
Now, when we arrive at our first rest stop, my friend said that her
shoes sole were cracking..it was then that I check mine..damn.. mine had
a straight line crack in the middle..my shoes was just a few years old.
I had it and I’ll shamefully admit that I seldom used them until
recently..when I started to join 2 marathons this year plus the hill
climbing activities. I knew they look suspiciously worn out but I
thought just one more climb..one more adventure..well that was stupid of
me. So I silently prayed..please..please..break apart once I finish my
climb..hold it together until the end of this climb. But as we hike
along, I could feel pieces by pieces of the soles just teared away. In
the end, near Jinkung trail I had to inform one of the guide that my
shoes sole is falling apart..When he had a look, he said that they can
tied my shoes to my feet using a rope..well, I thought whatever works..
But just as he walkie talkie with his buddy to get some ropes down, one
of my friend said he had an extra pair of shoes in his bag..and lo and
behold, it fitted me. So I was able to continue my climb without
worrying about my shoes.
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| RIP shoes |
So Thank you God..woo hoo.. But then Jingkung trail is right in front
and as we started to make our way up..I began to get flashes of
regret..why am I doing this..why am I here.. my sister is making sure
that I know exactly how she feels at that time by stressing the fact
that I am not her favorite person at that moment. I even had to stop
because of muscle strain in my arm, which the guide help by giving me
some muscle cramp cream to massage my arm. Needless to say, the guides
for Mount Wakid were extremely helpful and great, making sure that
everyone is taken care off. Mount Wakid was physically demanding for me
especially Jinkung trail but afterwards we were all smiles at the top.
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| The last obstacle after Jingkung Trail |
After a light lunch, we continued on to the next peak which used to
be the peak for station of the cross for the locals there. I have
massive respect the villagers who used to have to climb the mountain
there to celebrate the station of the cross..hats off to you guys.
From
this peak to the waterfall, it was quite steep and a few of us just went
down slowly half crawling. The guide unsuccessfully tried to get us to
stand up but we were determined to get down on all fours, half crawling,
half grabbing roots and branches nearby to stop us from falling to our
death.
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| Steep trail heading downwards |
The trail towards the waterfall was itself very steep but the water
was so cold and refreshing, it made me forget about my aching legs for a
while. When my sister finally arrived, she tried to drown me near the
waterfall but I escape while she was shocked by the freezing water. I
presented her with food as sign of peace offering and we rest a bit
before our small group make our way to the finishing point..
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| Me and my sis |
We arrived at the finishing point around 4.00pm where we change our
clothes at the school toilet. The food included in the package was
prepared in a nearby homestay. All of us enjoyed the home cook meal
especially after the long hike. Then we got our certificates for
climbing Mount Wakid from the guides. Once the tiredness wore off, the
satisfaction and excitement of completing the journey kicks in. We enjoy
our trip so much that we extended our stay in Tambunan to visit Mahua
waterfall the next day!
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| Mahua Waterfall, Tambunan |
