General

I was there last year, spending some time with my family. Just a weekend get away from the hectic day in the clinic. Went there again last weekend for an overnight as I had some work to do on Sunday in Ranau.

I gave Bro. Jamalul a call a couple of days before, just to check whether the chalet was still available on Saturday. Luckily for me, Cabbage unit was empty.

For the past few days, I managed to do some clean ups and updates on this blog. I have been neglecting this blog for almost 6 months, in which partly was due to my hectic schedule and some* laziness. I am really sorry for that matter.

It has been quite a long time since I last update this blog. Busy, I guess.

Thank you for those who still send me emails asking what happened. Well, hopefully this post will enlightened us a bit.

THE KINABALU BLOG BOOK
For the past several months I have been busy compiling, editing, creating, cut & pasting, organising and cracking my head, trying to put this blog pieces together to make it a book.

Received an email from one of Kinabalu climbers, Mr. Mohd Redza. He sent me a photo of 2 young porters of Kinabalu with a very short story. Enjoy.

Hi Drizad

I have the opportunity to climb Mount Kinabalu on the 27/3/2010 with my friends.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
It did. Wednesday dawned bright and sunny. We were filled with new hope. Brian Wood from Travelbag, who had flown out to support us, asked if we would like to accompany him to Mount Kinabalu that morning. The SMART team (Special Malaysian Army Rescue Team) from Kuala Lumpur had arrived and the helicopters were made ready to fly. Ellie just had to be found today. We packed a bag and climbed into the car provided for us by the Deputy High Commissioner in KK.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
We arrived at Park Headquarters and discovered that we were unable to stay in Kinabalu Park, the accommodation being fully booked. We decided to join the rest of our group at Poring Hot Springs, as we had rooms waiting for us. After talking to the park warden who was co-coordinating the rescue and learning that they intended to send a helicopter up to look for her as soon as the fog cleared. We left by minibus for Poring. It was getting dark as we began the ninety-minute ride. We all sat silently, praying and weeping to ourselves. It was a very sombre journey after two weeks of camaraderie and fun.

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They decided to make their way down again and had travelled for about ten minutes when they met Bruce. Ellie was delighted that he had ‘made it’. ‘Oh Dad, you’ve made it, I’m so proud of you’, she said, hugging him. Bruce said that he would go up to the top and then come straight down. He feels now that he should have just walked down with the children, but knowing Ellie as we did, she would have insisted that he complete the climb. As the fog swirled across the mountain, the wind howled and the rain lashed against his face, Bruce decided not to hang about, but get back to the shelter of the trail as quickly as possible.

Part 1
We set off at 08.30 after a breakfast of rice and vegetables, carrying water bottles and snacks such as dried bananas to eat on the way. The younger members of our party rushed off determined to arrive at the rest house at Laban Rata in record time. They were less interested in comparing the changes in flora and fauna on the trail, than overtaking other walkers who had set off before us. At the Timpahon Gate, the entrance to Mount Kinabalu, is a board detailing the times taken by the fastest runners up to the summit and down again. Some have realised unbelievably short times, which spurred Ellie and Kit to climb even faster.

This is the true story of the tragedy in 2001, told by Ellie’s father from his email. It’s a long story. I have divided the story into 7 posts for easy reading. Take your time to read Mr. Bruce James 8000 words write up. Pray the Lord that her soul  will rest in peace.