In 2011 I was deployed to the Western Pacific on the USS COLUMBIA (SSN-771) where we did a port call in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. While we were there, I had the opportunity to climb Mount Kinabalu (13,435ft). It was one of the hardest things I've ever done physically. Probably because we had just been under way for about two months on a submarine so the farthest I could walk during those two months was less than 400 feet. I went with a group of four from my boat, four from the USS FRANK CABLE (a submarine support vessel) and two tour guides. Of that group, only one guy from the USS FRANK CABLE made it all the way to the top. Since we only had one day, we were told that we had to be at a certain point (a hotel about 3/4 of the way to the top) by noon if we were going to make it to the top and back down that day. Noon came and went with no hotel. Finally at about 1300, we made it to the hotel, threw our packs down and ate lunch. At this point it was just the four of us from my boat and one tour guide. three guys from the CABLE had turned around and the other one was way ahead of us with the second tour guide. I've never felt so physically drained as I did sitting there eating that lunch, and looking at the other guys I could tell they were feeling the same. If one of us had said we weren't going on anymore we all would have quit. Anyway, I asked the guide if we could keep going since they had told us noon, and he told us if we were crazy enough to keep going, he'd go too since they paid him to go with us. So, we started back out. After about half an hour of more dense jungle, we finally reached the tree line. This was the first time we had much of a view the whole climb. The trail to that point had been literally cut out of the jungle with a dense leaf canopy overhead except for the small clearing with the hotel. As luck would have it, the view didn't last long as a line of clouds moved in. After about another 15 minutes, we reached a point where we had to start climbing using ropes. At this point it started to rain, so we were climbing a steep, slick, rock face hand over hand on these ropes. By now, it was myself one officer from my boat and the guide (the other two had said they'd wait for us at a point just before the ropes). We kept going for a bit but it got steeper and steeper and rained harder and harder and finally the officer said we had to stop and turn around. Probably the safest decision. So, we took a few photos during a lull in the downpour and turned around, headed back to the hotel picking up the other two guys along the way. By the time we made it back to the hotel, the sun was shining and the peak was clear and beautiful. Almost as if it was taunting us. I still kick myself today when I think we could have just waited it out a little bit and made it to the top. The rest of the trip down was uneventful. I did notice on the way down that there were many people walking up the mountain with huge wicker baskets balanced on their heads. The guide told us they did it all the time to get supplies up to the hotel and other places on the mountain. Definitely humbled us a little more. On the ride back to our hotel, the guide gave us certificates saying how far we had gotten up the mountain. The guy who made it all the way got his in color and the rest of us got black and white. The guide said color was only for people who made it to the top.
Sorry for the looong story, and if you're still reading, hope you enjoy the photos. This was before I had a 'real' cellphone, so all pictures were taken with my Nikon Coolpix S550.

Hi there, yes it is me, Mary. I know it has been forever since I have even posted anything. But I am working at an animal hospital now and them doctors work you to death. Ask Randy!
But I have added a new baby to my mix. His name is Blaine. I was at work and he had just been neutered. I fell in love at first sight. He was with Planned Pet Hood. So I adopted him. He is such a sweet kitten. He was just over 3 pounds went I got him on the 10th of February. He now weights closer to 7 pounds. Remmington.... for the ones who know him is not very fond of him. But Blaine feels the same way. But if you going to live here at this house you must get along. Or you will be tied outside to a tree!