The last kilometer from 3 until 4 km felt like the stairs would never end. Soaking wet and hungry we finally reach Layang Layang after 5 hour of trekking. We ate our lunch in one of the shelters to get away from the rain. The guide once again told us that some of us needed to turn back and walk the same way down instead of walking 6 km to Mesilau. Only the ones who are able to walk in a fast tempo were allowed to proceed to Mesilau. We didn’t want to leave the group we started the walk with so we decided to walk the same trail down against Timpohon Gate.

Our last advise from the guide was “Go straight down, don’t take breaks and if you must then only for a minute. Other vise it will be dark before you will get to the finish line.” And after the vise words we started our trekking down, still in pouring rain.

It took us 3 hour to get down and both of us and our group were very glad to see the gate and get the feeling that we accomplish the Fast Track on Mount Kinabalu! Even if we didn’t do the walk from Timpohon – Layang Layang – Mesilau, we are still proud that we walked up to the highest point of the fast track.

We went back to the hotel and changed into dry and warm clothes. Then it was time for dinner, and we promise you, food has never taste better than after an 8 hours trekking on South East Asia’s highest mountain!

Just to let you know, it took us 4 days to walk proper again. Our legs were pretty sore. To walk 5 hour straight up and then 3 hour down was hard but the feeling afterward is worth the pain.