Timpohon gate

Back to the Park HQ in the morning to register for the climb and meet our local guide, Cornelius. Then it was off in the minivan to the start of the summit trail [Timpohon gate @ 8:30am]. To my surprise, the first part of the trail went downhill quite a way before it settled into a series of stepped and level sections - all well maintained.

Best advice? Keep to a steady pace, and avoid the temptation to rush ahead - otherwise you find yourself taking longer and longer breaks, getting overtaken by porters carrying unbelievable amounts of tins and soft drinks. (This also makes you feel really guilty when you buy stuff at Laban Rata, realising how much effort went into getting the food there, only to be guzzled down by a hungry tourist.)

Speaking of guzzling, the local squirrel population seems to be addicted to chocolate:

This one found an M&M that was lying on the ground near one of the rest huts.