Khmer New Year in Malaysia

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Last week was Khmer New Year here in Cambodia. A week filled with water fights, family and home for Cambodians and a week of designated relaxation for us without Cambodian heritage.

For the holiday, Leanne and I set out on an expedition to hike the 13,400 foot Mt. Kinabalu on the island of Borneo in Malaysia. We wanted this to be a challenge as well as a refreshing experience that would remind us a little of the numerous 14ers (14,000 ft peaks) that we have climbed together in Colorado.

Our hike started on our first full day in Malaysia. After riding to the base of the mountain with some new German friends, we hired our mandatory guide, paid the mandatory fees and ate the mandatory cheese sandwiches. Our hike, as described by Leanne, a 5-hour stair master. We traipsed up nearly 4,000 vertical feet on the first day to find ourselves at a mountain hut called Laban Rata. After we warmed ourselves with some tea and coffee and restored our strength at the buffet dinner, we contentedly forced ourselves to sleep at 6:45 p.m.

At the blissful hour of 2:00 a.m., we awoke for our summit bid. The peak is surrounded by thousands of feet of smooth granite. We knew that when the sun came up, we would be surrounded by brilliant sights. We reached the summit about 30 minutes before sunrise, just in time to catch the first yawns of daylight reach the South China Sea and the Crocker Mountain Range in Central Borneo.

Our descent was not as pleasant as the views because the 6,000 we ascended had to be summarily descended on weary knees and tender muscles. After 12 hours of hiking we finally made it down to the base of the peak and the celebration began.

We could celebrate until the next morning when Leanne and I tried to walk. We were both literally stuck when we took our first steps. The mixture of lactic acid, dehydration and poor sleep amounted to some seriously tight muscles. For the next three days, descending and steps or decline was miserable. I would muster the energy to step off a curb, Leanne would lean against me and the step was conquered. My legs felt like a sack of deflated tennis balls.

Our remaining days were spent on a beach off the coast of Kota Kinabalu. Eating some McDonalds. Seeing Rio (which is excellent!) and enjoying our time off. It was an great break that served its purpose to rejeuvinate and reenergize us for the months to come.

Our legs are healed, our lungs have recovered and we are ready for the months to come of work, new projects and warm weather.