Top Tips for Climbing a Mountain

Posted by Christine on

…and I don’t mean the metaphorical kind…

Climbing Mount Kinabalu is hands down one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, physically and mentally. By the time I reached the bottom again some 30 hours later I realised just how unprepared I had been. Naive even. Don’t get me wrong, it’s an experience i’m beyond proud to have achieved, one of my greatest to date. I just wish I had done a little more light reading before embarking on this memorable journey!

So having got the t-shirt, I thought i’d share some top tips in case you were thinking of climbing your own mountain during your travels.
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  • GET TRAINING
    I would recommend that you physically prepare your body so that you can enjoy your climb. Focus on uphill exercises to strengthen the muscles you’ll be using, with weight on your back to get used to the effects of your backpack. Aim for one months training at the very least.
  • RESEARCH THE TRAIL
    Is it technical? Is it too difficult? Suitable for all in your party? Unsuitable for those with a fear of heights? Otherwise this might happen…not that i’d take back a moment of it šŸ™‚
    Reading other people’s experiences will give you a real idea of what to expect.
  • ALL THE GEAR
    • Are walking shoes required or will trainers do? Make sure you break them in prior to the climb to avoid blister drama.
    • Gloves, hat, scarf – prepare for subzero temperatures at the top.
    • Wear layers so that you’re prepared for all weather conditions.
    • Avoid wearing cotton as it doesn’t dry off at high altitudes.
    • Preferably stick to moisture-wicking materials for your base layer.
  • HYDRATE
    You ideally want to start hydrating from the night before you commence the climb. Just accept that you’ll need the toilet several times on a mountain without facilities and get glugging! A good meal also wouldn’t go amiss.
  • TREAT YOURSELF
    Sugar, sugar and more sugar! Pack energy loaded snacks to keep you going. It’s also nice to pack a thing or two to share with your guide.
  • CONTENTS OF MY BAG
    You want to keep the weight to an absolute minimum. It might feel fine for the first hour, but packing that body lotion will seem like a silly idea 3 hours into the climb. Here’s what I packed and it felt spot on:

    • waterproof bag
    • walking poles – especially for the descent to save your knees!
    • battery pack
    • wet wipes
    • toothbrush & toothpaste
    • head lamp & spare batteries
    • microfibre towel
    • snacks
    • water
    • headphones
    • toilet paper
    • underwear
    • bin bag
    • lip balm
    • suntan lotion
    • bug spray
    • headache tablets
    • blister plasters
    • ID
    • map
    • climb documentation
    • sunglasses
    • camera
  • PMA ALL THE WAY
    It’s really important to have a positive mental attitude on the mountain. It’s going to be tough, suck it up! Embrace the discomfort. Whining will just bring your team members down so keep the mood light and jovial.
  • TEAM SPIRIT
    Whether you’ve just met your team, or you all go way back, you’ll be helping each other through this experience. Encourage those that are finding it harder, and lean on those that seem to be skipping uphill. Someone I had just met not even 24 hours prior to my summit climb got me to the top when I was ready to give up.
  • TAKE A BREAK
    Even though you’ll likely be in a group, always remember this is your climb. Go at your own pace, and take breaks when you need. Don’t stop for too long as muscle stiffness might kick in, but long enough to take a breather and prepare yourself mentally for the next stint.
    Consider how many days you want to do your trek over. Don’t forget, the longer the trek, the more time you’ll have to acclimatise to acute mountain sickness.
  • RESPECT THE MOUNTAIN
    The saying is ‘leave no trace’. Pack trash bags for your rubbish and leave nothing but footprints behind. If you see some discarded rubbish, have the heart to pick it up along the way.
  • DON’T FORGET TO LOOK UP!
    Make sure you take the time to enjoy the experience. Drink it all in. Your surroundings, the view, the smells, the noises. Document every detail because it’ll all be a blur by the time you reach sea level again.
  • IT’S ABOUT THE JOURNEY NOT THE DESTINATION
    Whether you get a magical sunset on the summit is so not the point. See above how bad the visibility was on summit day for me. You’ve spent many hours, acquired several blisters and felt much pain to get to this point. Celebrate whatever the view up there!
  • AND BREATH
    Not just because you’ve earned it, but also to reduce muscle soreness, hit the spa for a massage on your return. Just trust me.

Feel free to like, share, show some love. If you have any further climbing prep advise, i’d love to hear your comments.

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