RHB Mt Kinabalu Climb - Part 1

After months of training since the first selection process at Gunung Nuang (Ulu Langat) on 1 June 2013, a contingent of 43 staff – including RHB Banking Group Managing Director (“GMD”), Mr Kellee Kam – ascended Mount Kinabalu on 31 October 2013 in celebrating RHB 100th Year Anniversary. 

The participation of GMD was a surprise to most of the climbers as it was only officially announced during the dinner function on the eve of departure to Kota Kinabalu. 

Ascending to the peak of Mount Kinabalu was a tough challenge for a few of the climbers as they experienced varying degrees of AMS (mountain sickness) in which their optimal physical capabilities were weaken. Nevertheless, they pressed on and focus in reaching the peak. We were excited that the contingent achieved a 100% success for summiting to Low’s Peak.

Another interesting observation was that though GMD did not join the team in training, he was fast in his pace in ascending to Laban Rata Resthouse and also to the peak (the next morning).    

Touchdown at Kota Kinabalu Airport – We were pleasantly surprised to see a warm welcome reception from staff of East Malaysia complete with traditional dances.

Seeing the happy moment and many donning the same coloured T-shirts, a young lady Custom Officer even asked me what occasion was that.

 Getting ready to go in the morning – At Nepenthes Lodges of Kinabalu Park area. GMD at back row, Right 7.

 RARING TO GO ... Yours truly (KC) posing with RHB Banking Group Managing Director, Kellee Kam. Without knowing, he is a fast trail runner!

 A group photo in front of Kinabalu National park with RHB Banking Group Managing Director, Kellee Kam (at left)

 One team, one mission – To arrive at Low’s peak of Mt Kinabalu

 Happy expression … for reaching the 2km marker

 Taking a breather for photo session

 In jubilation – yours truly arriving at Laban Rata Resthouse with Tracy Chan. We took 4 hours to arrive at Laban Rata (from Timbohon Gate).

Waterfalls at high mountain – After a heavy downpour in the evening, water was gushing down the rock surfaces of Mount Kinabalu that are visible from far.

 Sunset at Laban Rata

 Next morning, the team started the journey at 2:30 a.m. after a hearty breakfast. The weather in the morning was fine with little wind movement.

Beautiful sunrise

Do click here for Part 2 - See You at the Top 

Posted by KC Leong

Pre-Mount Kinabalu Climb

Collection of Trekking Gear (on 24 Oct 2013) for RHB Mt Kinabalu Climb. The compress bags pre-packed with all the sponsored gear. High-ankle trekking shoes, headlamp, raincoat, trekking pole were collected earlier.

A contingent of 40 RHB staff shall depart for Kota Kinabalu in the week of 28 October 2013 and summit to Mount Kinabalu in celebrating RHB 100th Year Celebration - fully sponsored!

 Trekking Gear Collection Centre - The compress bags pre-packed with all the sponsored gear and bearing the name of each participant for swift collection.

Complete with a fleece inside, the jacket come with Gore-Tex material that has water repellent capability, and should be able to withstand extreme coldness up at the summit of Mount Kinabalu. Yours truly (right) and the office colleagues who are part of the team.

Posted by KC Leong

Apek Hill Cheras

Final training at Apek Hill Cheras (19 Oct) with a few of the RHB Group Mount Kinabalu Climbers. A contingent of 40 staff shall ascend Mt KK in the week of 28 October 2013 in celebrating RHB 100th Year Anniversary.

Do click here to view photos courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong).

(back, left): KC, Sam, Jason Ong, UCH, Wendy, HoWG;

Front: Lana, SuWF, Tracy

 Waterfall nestles in Apek Hill

 A group photo by the waterfall

 Trying out the nature gym equipment – with free membership – while taking the group photo

Savouring the refreshing and fragrant coconut juice … hmmmm… superb!

Posted by KC Leong

Putrajaya Fireworks 2013 Team UAE

Putrajaya Fireworks Competition Team UAE on Wednesday, 2 October 2013. After going to Putrajaya withnessing a few competition of fireworks display, I finally got a better location for this final show. Unfortunately, the wind was blowing into my direction this time tainted the beautiful displays. Hence, when you view the photos, you need to imagine that the smoke was not there ... :-)

This would be the final display for this competition. I think the first show by Malaysia could be best with lots of non-stop fire-power and blasts.

Do click here to view photos courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong).

Do click here to view the first display - Team Malaysia and also the subsequent Teams.

Posted by KC Leong

Bukit Kutu @ KKB

RHB Mount Kinabalu Team went for another group training and teambuilding session on Saturday, 28 Sept 2013; this time, the team was trekking at Bukit Kutu, Kuala Kubu Baru. 

To celebrate RHB 100th Year Anniversary, 40 selected staff from RHB Group shall trek to the summit of Mount Kinabalu in the week of 28 October 2013.

Do click here to view 118 photos courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong).

Who built the colonial bungalow at the peak of Bukit Kutu? … do scroll down the pages to find out.

 Stretching exercise before the start of the climb at Bukit Kutu at Kuala Kubu Baru

 All systems GO!

 A group photo just before the start of ascent at 9:15 a.m… yours truly (kC) in red at left

 Crossing a river … clean and clear water

 At the huge rock area

 Having lunch at the peak … The team takes about 3 hours to arrive here; the descending journey takes about 2.5 hours.

 The trekkers sitting on the rock are actually waiting for their turn to go to the top

 Another group photo at the peak

 The remain of the chimney of a ruined colonial bungalow

Do click here to read an interesting posting by EM Shiek (Blogsite: Variety if the Spice of Life) giving an account of an Englishman from Plymouth, Tony, who came here to look for the bungalow. The bungalow was built by British authorities for their staffs (e.g. Tony's grandfather) for recreation and relaxation on weekends and holidays. Tony's grandfather and grandmother used to stay in the bungalow during the 1920s and took pictures of the bungalow. 

 At around 4:30 p.m. … Having a simple but tasty dinner by the river

 Having a relaxing and nice dip in the cold water after hours of trekking up and down the mountain on a fairly hot day

Posted by KC Leong

My TMBT Post-Race

Post-race Analysis of my bad leg cramps problem - after getting tips from Dr Pui San who was running in the same TMBT event, I finally figure out the reasons that hindered me in completing the TMBT race. I encountered terrible cramps in both my legs – the inner thigh, quadriceps, calf muscle and even my toes – all happened at the same time!

On race day, it was very hot and humid initially causing us to sweat profusely; then it became wet and cold when crossing river and streams, tricking our thirst centres that we do not need to drink that much.

Yours truly (kC, left) at the starting line ... photo courtesy of Vivien Tay

I realized on that day, I drank much less water compare to my normal training. I am using hydration bladder type and drinking from this method has one disadvantage as one could not assess or see how much has been finished (as compared to those two plastic bottles hanging in front of the chest type). I was not able to assess the remaining amount of water in the backpack by feeling the weight as it was packed to the brim with other mandatory survival items and food. 

When the sign of cramps surfaced at about 12:30 p.m., I went to pee (since 7:00 a.m.); with much less output, that reaffirmed the reasoning.

Yours truly (KC) after crossing the river and admiring the smooth rocks 

(photo courtesy of Weng)

What was obvious is the crossing of river and streams with the hot-cold, expand-contract of veins conditions which was not tested during training time. The actual reason that triggered the complete shutdown of body system in provoking muscle cramp of two legs was the DEHYDRATION problem. 

I do not think the leg muscles cramp was due to my fitness level as I have trained enough in the local hills and Gunung Nuang, Kuala Lumpur, in preparing for this event.

Backpack with pockets for two bottles ... photo courtesy of TMBT website

If I were to take the challenge again next year – I think I will – for the unfinished mission, one of the things I need to do is to change the hydration backpack system. I begin to appreciate the two-bottle system where each bottle can store different type of energy drinks appropriate for each unique mission.

I went to The Gardens, Mid-Valley to check: Salomon Trail Running backpack is selling at RM 639. It comes with two front bottle pockets (note: bottle not inclusive), a 1.5 litre bladder and intake tube for drinking; next to the bladder compartment is another compartment for storing other stuff.

Do click here for my first TMBT DNF story.

Posted by KC Leong

Putrajaya Fireworks Competition Team USA

Putrajaya Fireworks Competitions Team USA, 15 Sept 2013, Sunday 10:00 p.m. I rushed back from TMBT Kota Kinabalu on Sunday evening and in time for another fantastic and artistic event. 

Do click here to view 91 photos courtesy of yours truly (KC) .

Do click here to view photos of other countries (Team China, Team Malaysia 2013).

Posted by KC Leong