Climbing Mt Trusmadi, conquering life challenges
Published on: Saturday, March 14, 2015
By: Lorena Binisol
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“If I were to compare it with Mount Kinabalu, it is like comparing an orange with an apple. Both have their own beauty. But I can tell you that Mt Trusmadi is more challenging and fascinating.
“It is worth every effort that we put in. Such an amazing experience seeing the rainforest standing tall with its greens and branches protruding everywhere as if welcoming us into ‘their’ world,” said Student Affairs Officer Dius Jastine.
Equipped with determination, will-power and good physique, Dius, who led the group of 30 students and staff members of Montfort Youth Training Centre, began their journey by putting up at a village called Kg Sinua in Keningau, which is the starting point located at the foothills of the mountain.
“It was freezing at night in Kg Sinua, as though we were in a cold-climate country in Europe. Nevertheless, the night view was really stunning. One has to come here to experience the majestic sight,” Dius said, recounting how he was able to see bright stars amid the clear sky in the wee hours of the night.
Six local guides led the way to the first peak, which is 4,200 metre high. According to the guides, it takes seven to eight hours on average to reach the first peak from the starting point. However, these students made it in four hours.
“I am pleasantly surprised at their speed. I think the boys did not walk, they ran all the way up,” joked Dius.
“They broke the record so far. No one has ever climbed in four hours to the first peak. But they did it, amazingly,” confirmed Dennis Ikon, one of the six mountain guides.
However, Dennis added that in the early years the route was even tougher to climb as there were no signages or clear path to follow. Today, the pathways had been cleared and signages were put up at appropriate spots to make it easier for climbers.
Maxzillian Mathias, 19, who hails from Kg Kibabaig, Penampang, said that the journey was not an easy task at all. He was very grateful that he could complete the climb to the top.
“The paths are all covered with big, fat and hard roots from the old trees which intertwined with each other. That made our movement difficult. It was no joke at all.
“I thought there were steps for me to follow, but there was none. We really had to be well-balanced… otherwise we could easily fall,” said Maxzillian. He is one of the school prefects chosen to join in the project.
Jhonny Lee, 18, shared that from the starting point and all the way up to the highest peak, he could not recall stepping on any smooth path.
“I was looking forward for the moment when we could at least find a few flat steps so we could rest from walking under pressure. We kept moving on and on, only to find there was none.
“All I could feel were holes and big roots everywhere. I felt as if both my feet were bent upside down, too. I felt so unbalanced,” said Jhonny.
Allessandro Faibio Dawik of Kg Pulutan, Menggatal, described the scenery akin to a movie he had seen before.
“If you remember the movie, ‘The Lord of the Rings’, the scenes are somewhat similar to the ones I saw here. So, so amazing. I have never seen such spectacular scenery in my whole life before,” admired Faibio, another 19-year-old prefect.
“The big and old trees can be creepy though,” he said, laughing. “Because it looks like someone is trying to catch you with ‘big, hairy hands’ (branches).” He also related how he could clearly hear the sound of wild animals.
“I cannot believe what I was hearing. The sound of birds chirping and insects making noise are normal. But I could really hear sounds of growling, squeaking, hissing, yelping as though elephants, tigers, wild boars and other animals were having a feast in the jungle; just like in the movie, too,” he said.
Jeremiah Tan said the most difficult part was the climb from Peak One to Peak Two where the climb is almost at 90 degrees.
“Can you imagine climbing a 90-degree wall? Crazy, isn’t it! Though there are ropes available, I still think it’s very hard. I almost gave up,” Jeremiah said, adding that only through strength of mind was he able to overcome the difficult climb.
Jecraynus Damsip said his most unpleasant experience was to be bitten by leeches.
“It irked me seeing plenty of leeches hiding and sticking behind leaves, branches, roots, rocks – every where… yuck!
“What if it got into my body through my nose, ear, and sucked all my blood? Ooh! I dare not imagine further,” laughed Jecraynus. He was, however, grateful for the experience despite the ordeal.
“The beauty of its scenery melted my heart. Honestly, this is my first time seeing such beautiful and enthralling sight. So captivating, minus the leeches, of course,” he said.
From the second peak to the summit is another 7km journey. A different kind of challenge awaited them. Despite that, most of them did it in two and a half hours.
Rexson Reen, who had trouble with balancing, hoped and prayed for a better passage after the first part of their journey.
“It wasn’t so. The journey got tougher! All along the trail, there were mosses all over the places – on the branches, barks, stones. The mosses made anything I touched to become slippery,” Rexson said.
“The first part was already so hard. Come second part… oh no… not only can you see the twisting roots, the route is winding all the way up to the summit, like you are making circles after circles to nowhere land. I got dizzy... I felt like I was about to faint.
“The path got narrower,” he said, adding that his determination helped him overcome the feeling of giving up. He made it to the top.
“I guess this is how life is. Going through ‘hardship’ just like climbing Mt Trusmadi. If we can make it, then good. Otherwise, we have to keep on trying until we achieve what we want.”
Marksinius Guraim related a similar experience to that of Rexson. He realised that the trail was getting narrower. And with space that fit only one person at a time. The steps became slippery due to the mosses.
“In that unbearable moment, I imagined being squeezed by a big and slimy giant, waiting to swallow me up,” Marksinius joked.
“Only after descending then I realised the journey going up and down the mountain is metaphorical – just like our life. We face challenges, unpredictable encounters, unpleasant situations and things like that.
“Like it or not, we have to face it. What I learned from this is that only when we are able to learn how to handle difficult situations can we improve from there.”
He, however, enjoyed the scenery tremendously. It is the most beautiful and scenic view he had ever seen.
“Since I have not been anywhere in the world (yet), I claim Mount Trusmadi to have the most beautiful view in the world. No money can buy the view. What a glorious creation of God!” he exclaimed.
Their journey from Peak Two started at 2.30am. Most of them reached the summit at around 5am, ample time to catch the sunrise.
Wilbert Masri, 19, who is from Keningau, was the first to reach the summit. It took him almost two hours and ahead of everyone else. The guide, who was with him, was amazed by his pace.
“He is very steady in overcoming the obstacles,” said the guide, praising Wilbert.
The students spent about 50 minutes admiring the scenic view and captured the beautiful sunrise with their cameras.
“What an awesome view,” they said. “We can see Mount Kinabalu from here and the other side of the rainforest!”
Dius, who enjoyed smelling and admiring the flora and fauna, said that he was stunned at the abundance of pitcher plants (Periuk Kera) growing in the area.
“I enjoyed the nature here. It was so fresh and breath-taking. The Periuk Kera is plentiful and they look so gorgeous. So are other species grown in the jungle, beautiful indeed.
I hope no one will come to disturb (the plants) as they are our heritage for the next generation,” he said.
The trip was sponsored by the State’s Youth & Sports Ministry and organised by the Montfort Youth Training Centre who gave the opportunity for the students to test their physical endurance.
“Trusmadi climb was a tremendous learning experience for all of us especially to these youths,” Dius said.
“This will enable us to overcome life’s challenges and most importantly helping one another during difficult moments, which I think is crucial.”
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