I am a 17 year-old teen, and I have come out a plan to hike Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia on my own. But my friends and family dont seem to be supprting me, because they say I am too young.(seriously I think I am physically and mentally strong enough)
I have decided to go Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia around March 2012 on my own. (I am a Malaysian) When I speak out my plan to my friends and family, they say it`s impossible because I am way too young to hike the 4100m-height mountain. And also it`s hard and dangerous for a 17 years old teen to go on a hike ALONE. I said I will make friends with some backpackers there and hire a guide (its compulsory). And I have about 10 months to prepare and increase my stamina!! I told them the journey will be 100%!s(MISSING)afe because there are lots of tourists and hikers all along the way. But some of them didnt seem to be persuaded. I really want to go on my plan and it wil be better to have FnF`s supports to me. I am confused..
[Edited: 2011 Jun 29 10:30 - Mell:49612 - Moved to New to Independent Travel Forum. 😊]
Reply to this As long as you physically and mentally fit and prepared for the climb, you should not worry about it much. Train for it not only by running (or cycling, etc.) but also by climbing other mountains. Also prepare for the cold condition up there.
Some of the very strong mountaineers I know are only teenagers. They regularly climb mountains though. I have friends who are climbing it this October and are preparing for it. One mountaineer friend who recently climbed Mt. Kinabalu said that her 9 year-old son will be able to do it.
Good luck!
Reply to this Hana,
Thank you a lot for your encouraging advice!
Every reply to this topic is like pushing me one step forward to my dream.
Thanks again!! :D
Reply to this In reading your posting I think you would really like the support of your friends and family on this adventure and I think you will enjoy it more if you have it.
I would try to negotiate a compromise with your family.
Is there anything that you can do to make them more comfortable.
I do think you should train. If they see your commitment they may alter their opinion.
How much hiking have you already done?
If you are living at home and your parents are supporting you and paying for your food, housing, insurance, education, and entertainment I think they get a vote in this.
Reply to this DMJ Binkley,
It's not only their supports, most importantly is my mother's consent. My dad is okay with it.
I havent done any hiking before, but i do exercise regularly, twice a week (cycling and jogging). And also I am going to climb a smaller mountain which is near to my hometown with my cousins. I have about 9 months to prepare myself, and luckily my cousin has been there before, so I can ask him to offer me some advice.
The only thing my parents concern about is I am going alone. I want to have this adventure all on my own, but my mun said i must have gone crazy..I feel really discouraging and sad.
It's okay because i still have time to prepare and train. To make them believe that I can do it and really want to do it.
Anyway, thanks for your advice Dave and Merry.:D
Reply to this Hello Tham Soon 😊
Everybody doing anything will have critics, and sadly critics can also be family members and friends. It may be your age they are critisising now, but in 10 years it will be something else. My mother has always hated my travels. She think, I should be spending my money on having a nice house, car and looking like an air hostess. I have drifted away from a lot of my High School and University friends, because one can hear 'why are you travelling so much' and 'if you go to those dangerous places, you dont care about yourself' etc, a few too many times.
I think, you should not give up your trip, but you should give up arguing with your critics. Reasonable argumetns from you wont change their attitudes.
While you should take reasonable safety precautions when hiking, I dont see any reason for you not to go. Reasonable precautions would be that somebody else always knows where you are, in the unlikely event you go missing. You will have the compulsory guide, so that covers the safety aspect, in my opinion.
I would reassure your mother that you will text or email every day that you can, to reassure her you are still safe and alive and when you wont be able to text or email for a few days let her know how long there will be no emails for. I suppose, mothers have to be given some level of tolerance for their maternal instincts. Those instincts have been so useful to you for so many years, and she likely finds it hard to get used to your not needing her constant help and protection now. And, maybe bring her back a small gift from your trip. Mothers like thoughtful gestures like that. And, try to realise that she may be so caught up in motherly fussing over her children, that she does not realise that it can be interpreted as lack of trust in you, or disapproval of you and what you want to do. She might even think she is demonstrating how much she cares about you by being dramatic.
Mel
[Edited: 2011 Jul 01 12:52 - Mell:49612 ]
Reply to this Mel--
I like and agree with your answer. Very nice.
Reply to this Thank you MELL !
My mum may change her mind after seeing all these comments.
Thank you again :D
Reply to this Your mother will always "worry" about you--- please do not expect her not to.
If your mother understands how passionate you are about this and if you understands you are well prepared for this adventure she may find a way to support your dream.....even if she really does not want you to do it.
Reply to this Hi,
Just a bit of info here from someone who has done the climb...
- Its more of an uphill hike than a mountain climb, with good paths, steps and only a couple of sections where you scramble up rocks so its not a dangerous trek
- You should train for endurance as its a longish climb with lots of deep steps - practise climbing steps! However,I wasnt amazingly fit when I climbed it and people of all ages were reaching the summit on the day we did. You're probably already more than fit enough for it but training will mean you'll enjoy it more.
- You have to have a guide and can easily group together with other climbers to share the costs/make a climbing team - we did this and stuck with our group throughout. You wont be climbing alone.
- There's a full and free briefing each night at the base camp which covers all safety info etc. and where you can meet other people/book your guide for the next day. They make sure you know all you need to about the trek.
- It's an incredible experience! Stunning views, great fun, hard but rewarding work. Watching the sun rise from the top of Kinabalu was truly beautiful and memorable for us.
Maybe you could search out some blogs on here about this trek and show some to your friends and family. It might reassure them to see how many people have done the trip/enjoyed it and read about how it all works - sometimes its the unknown which scares people and puts them off. We wrote one if you want to check it out
On top of the World but Im sure there are many other great Kinabalu stories on here too.
Good luck and I hope you make the climb - you will love it
Reply to this Thank you Mark and Chrissie!
Half year from now you will hear about my good news from the summit!! :D
Reply to this I go hiking sometimes. Teenagers are always ahead because theyve got so much energy. So no, your'e not too young. your'e at the perfect age to climb Mt Kinabalu
Reply to this Hi Tham Soon - your parents are lucky to have a brave and adventurous son, as parents we worry but they are also blessed that you are someone who has spirit and doesnt just have dreams, but wants to make his dream real. You have a great time, im sure you will do it. Wise words here, I hope your parents come to support you.
Reply to this Thanks Cindy!
Honestly, I have been excited since the day I came out with this idea of climbing Mt Kinabalu, and every night before I sleep, I always have the vision that I make it to the summit. I always talk to my friends about my plan until they already knew what i will be talking next, wahahahha!! Thanks for your support! ;D
Reply to this I agree that you should pursue your dream.
Like many people have mentioned, it's not about your age, it's about your determination and physical preparation, and it sounds like you're doing your research and preparing accordingly. When your mother witnesses the effort you put into training, she may be further reassured that you're not just talk, you're making serious effort to prepare for Mt Kinabalu.
Sometimes, with parents, you have to go out and show them your accomplishments before they are willing to loosen their embrace. And, at least you have your Dad's approval--50% of the convincing! ;0)
I agree with all of Mark and Chrissie's points, and want to add that the guides are fantastic. Many of them climb the mountain 2-3x a week and their main concern is the well-being of the climbers, so you will hear the steady chant of "slowly, slowly" all the way up and down the mountain, as pacing is one of the keys to this climb especially if it's your first big one.
Good luck! It's an amazing experience.
Reply to this Tham,
Have you had any recent conversations with your mother about this? Are you making in progress in gaining her support? I agree with Michelle that as she watches your preparation she may feel differently.
Reply to this Dave n Merry,
I havent, but I am doing exercise more frequent than before. I guess she knows I am still preparing for my trip. Having discussion about this this time wont make her change her mind as I havent been training long enough. Maybe 2 months later she sees me still carry on training, then she might probably feel convinced
Reply to this Tham,
You are right. You are going about this the right way. We are excited for you. Keep us posted on your progress.
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