A SELF-COACHING CONVERSATION THAT SAVED ME ON MOUNT KINABALU

Starting off from Timpohon Gate (Elevation 1,866m) I covered 7 km in 5 hours, a climb of slightly under 1,400 m. It had been such an exhilarating climb. However, with only 700 m distance to Laban Rata (Elevation 3,273m), our stopover before the final ascent to the peak, I began feeling nauseous, my legs were heavy and every step was a struggle. By the time I reached Laban Rata, I felt totally drained of energy. As I stumbled into the hostel dormitory, the chills just hit me full force. “Hypothermia!” my head screamed and I began to shudder uncontrollably. The wet clothes that I was wearing merely contributed to the cold I was feeling. I stripped off the wet clothes completely and slipped under the quilt, trying to get some warmth. I was feeling totally cold, miserable, frustrated, scared and helpless. I was slipping in and out of conscious awareness. It was under such a situation that the following conversation took place.

Will I make it to the top? The final ascent will start in 5 hours, at 2:00 a.m. Will I be able to recover in time? What if I can't make it?