Mt. Trusmadi : Not For The Casual Climber
One of the thing that I "accomplished" on this trip to KK was getting first-hand account of my parents recent conquest of Mt. Trusmadi.
The second highest mountain in Sabah at 2462 metres high, Trusmadi is relatively unknown and not as frequently scaled as compared to the thousands of attempts made (successfully and unsuccessfully) on the more famous Mt. Kinabalu.
As related by my parents, who recently (amazingly might I add) conquered Trusmadi, this is probably because Trusmadi is not as climb-friendly as Kinabalu.
Unlike Kinabalu with the steps, proper lodges and ropes, climbing Trusmadi is best described by my mother :
"Janganlah cuba kalau tidak pandai naik pokok" (Translation : Don't bother trying if you can't climb trees)
Because it was this special skill (both my parents grew up in kampung) that helped them along when countered with 90 degrees slopes with no ropes to pull themselves up. In fact, even though my parents were the oldest in their group, they managed to put the rest of their team to shame.
So much so that some of them admitted later that they pushed themselves out of giving up because they were seriously "tercabar ego" (challenged) with my mother's prowess at climbing-using-protruding-roots!
Yes, ROOTS not ropes.
But despite the challenging climb, you would be rewarded by nature at its best.
There is nowhere else in Borneo (as I was told) that you could find giant nepenthes (pitcher plant or monkey cup) plant in the size found on Trusmadi.
Some "naturalist" in my dad's team claimed that the picture below were of leopard's excreta. I'm not sure how true is this but I'm not surprised if was so as Trusmadi is basically still in an undisturbed rain forests.
Perhaps this is the excreta of the recently identified rare Borneo leopard?
The facilities at this place is still basic and there is only a sleep-under-the-sky type of accommodations on top.
But if you feel challenged by these pair of oldies, then make an attempt yourself and have Mt. Trusmadi in your climbing resume.
As with Mt. Kinabalu, you would need a permit to climb.
The view from Trusmadi peak
And of course, view of the majestic Mount Kinabalu
For more information, contact the Mahua Nature Holidays Tour Director who can provide more information and custom-made packages to climb Trusmadi.
**All photos were taken by my father**
