And the bush has friends to meet him, and their kindly voices greet him, In the murmur of the breezes and the river on its bars,
And he sees the vision splendid of the sunlit plains extended, And at night the wonderous glory of the everlasting stars.

Banjo Paterson (1889)

Thursday, December 17, 2009

To The Top of Mt Kinabalu

My wife Liz and I are almost ready for our my Christmas/New Year wildlife adventure. This year it's wildlife-watching in North Queensland and a birding trip to the top of Cape York and islands off the coast of New Guinea.

Last year it was birding in Sabah Borneo, with one of the highlights being, finally seeing a group of the elusive Bornean Bristleheads. One of my wife's highlights was also climbing to the top of Mt Kinabalu by herself. I thought in honour of that achievement almost one year ago, I would put up some pictures of that event.



The goal, to climb up Mt Kinabalu (4101 m) to the small point on top in the middle. The highest peak between the Himalayas and New Guinea.



My wife and her mountain guide Miak ready to begin the two day journey. I'm laughing because I don't have to go! I can stay down here and do some birding.




About 3/4 up the mountain, the overnight stop at the Laban Rata guesthouse, with an early start at 3 am to begin the final journey in darkness to the top.






The rainforest is far below and only the toughest high altitude plants survive, till higher up there is only rock.





One cold but happy Liz. Been to the top, now for the long journey back down.



Low's Peak (4101 m)





Spectacular views and rock formations.





Kinabalu conquered and a happy wife with secret plans for Everest Base Camp, Mt Kilimanjaro etc......

2 comments:

Robby said...

Incredible photos!
Robby

Stuart Price said...

Wow, well done. I don't think I could manage that climb, I went trekking a few times in Nepal in my younger days but that was about 10 years and 20kg ago............