MOSSY rocks, crooked trees and curvy vines came to life before the very eyes of climbers struggling up Mount Kinabalu.
Some say it was altitude sickness, but it was probably the effect of the glistening dew, mystical mist and whistling wind along the trail.
For some, each step felt like pins and needles piercing their knees, and the thinning air made them regret not being better prepared for the climb.
The Timpohon trail, one of two routes up the 4,095m summit, was opened recently for a test climb, almost three months after the June 5 earthquake hit Ranau in Sabah, leaving a trail of devastation and the loss of 18 lives.
The trail was reopened to the public yesterday.
Sabah Parks chairman Tengku Datuk Zainal Adlin Mahmood described the trial run as a “beautiful climb”. Such admiration and optimism, despite injuring his right knee after a bad fall.
“What’s there not to like about it? It was tiring, but the trail was as beautiful as ever,” said the 75-year-old adrenaline junkie.
He was probably right.
For three days before the test climb on Aug 8, it rained, shrouding the mountain with thick clouds.
On the day of the climb, everyone turned up at Timpohon Gate, the starting point 1,900m above sea level.
The rain made the climb harder, but it made people take notice of their surroundings and observe the little things that make the mountain unique.
Rainwater formed little waterfalls along the steps up the trail. There were also flowers, leaves, squirrels, birds, trees, soft-spoken guides who trekked the paths with ease, and porters heaving huge packs on their backs.
The day trip was organised to get feedback from climbers who were allowed to scale up to Laban Rata at 3,300m.
A time limit was set by Sabah Parks, as climbers had to turn back from wherever they were at 2pm.
Many signed up for the trial climb to pay homage to the mountain.
Park rangers, guides, porters, civil servants, tour agents, journalists, van drivers and villagers were invited.
Before the flag-off by state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, senior park ranger Martin Moguring gave a safety briefing to climbers and reminded everyone to respect the mountain.
“Consider it your home when you climb. Do not throw rubbish, do not spit on the trail, and if you have to relieve yourselves, we have rest huts with toilets every kilometre.”
The Timpohon trail up to Laban Rata stretches 6km.
The number of climbers will be limited to 100 per day, and lodging will be provided for those who wish to stay overnight at Laban Rata.
The summit climb remains closed, but it may be opened in December.
From 3,300m to the highest point at Low’s Peak, a new route may be introduced because the earthquake caused a rock avalanche that damaged the old trail.
It was also where most of the 18 victims, including several primary schoolchildren from Singapore, were killed.
During the test climb, mountain guides Saffrey Sumping and Frederick Alim kept their emotions in check during their first paying climb since the tragedy.
But they spoke of the hope and determination to keep their profession alive, despite the odds stacked against them.
“There will be those with doubts about climbing, the tremors, the damaged trails here and there, but hopefully, over time, people will come back to the mountain,” Saffrey said as he paced himself behind the nearly 30 journalists he was guiding.
Frederick, too, was optimistic the mountain will lure climbers back with its beauty amid the scarred surface caused by the earthquake.
“It may look a bit different, but it’s still the same mountain.”
Plucky Harian Metro journalist Junaidi Ladjana, with five climbs to his credit, volunteered for the assignment in a heartbeat.
“I am curious like everyone else to see the devastation.”
He said despite the mist that day, some of the damaged trails that have since been rerouted were visible.
Sabah Parks director Dr Jamili Nais said some of the damaged buildings would be left as they were for climbers to see the extent of the damage caused by the 5.9-magnitude temblor.
“The two damaged huts in Panar Laban, one of which was flattened by rocks, will be like an open exhibit to remind us of the tragedy.”