CLIMB GUNUNG KINABALU SABAH BORNEO MALAYSIA

Gunung Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Malaysia with height of 4,095 metres (13,455 ft). Place of Gunung Kinabalu among highest mountains in South East Asia is conflicted over different views. It is located in Kinabalu National Park (a World Heritage Site) in the east Malaysian state of Sabah- coordinate 6° 5′ 0″ N, 116° 33′ 0″ E. Gunung Kinabalu has several peaks and the highest peak is Low's Peak. Gunung Kinabalu and its surroundings are among the most important biological sites in the world, with over 600 species of ferns, 326 species of birds, and 100 mammalian species identified. Among them are the gigantic Rafflesia plants. Gunung Kinabalu has been accorded UNESCO World Heritage status.

South peak - one of Peaks on Gunung Kinabalu, The highest peak is Low's Peak

At more than 4000 meters height. Gunung Kinabalu in Sabah is not only the highest point in Malaysia, it is also the highest point in South East Asia. This is one of must climb mountain in Malaysia for its beauty and challange. I climbed this Gunung Kinabalu in Mac 2005 and truly astounded by its unique beauty. The climb would take two days preferably. It include spend one night at Laban Rata hut before summiting in the early hours of the morning in time for sunrise on Borneo’s highest point. The climb is not particularly technical but it is real test for fitness and endurance. However it does offer opportunity for wall climbing enthusiast to test skill on various kind of rock face on the granite plateau. Check this couple wall climbing experience around Gurkha Hut - http://joannestamplis.wordpress.com/2008/11/09/borneo-part-2-mt-kinabalu/ . Some guide and tips about hiking hope would help you to climb Gunung Kinabalu succesfully.

Shadow of Low's Peak fall on Horizon as sun rise over

Gunung Kinabalu gives you opportunity to experience different kind of climate as your climb increase along the trail. From thick rainforest with high tree gradually changes to pine tree and shorter bonsai, small orchid and finally barren granite at the final part of the mountain on the summit plateau. The temperature gradually drops at higher altitude and with sun move down for the night. For local climber this is only mountain in Malaysia that could give you altitude sickness. Steep ascend from Timpohon base camp and high gain of altitude in short period could give problem for some as your body don’t have enough time to acclimatize. From my experience dizziness that someone could feel as reaching Laban Rata or Gunting Lagadan could be relieved by taking hot shower, not need for Panadol or aspirin. The trek is clear and properly maintained. Proper stairs even built on certain part of the trail. You could climb Gunung Kinabalu in stylish way in your new designer sport pant and flashy sport shoes as it’s won’t likely that your pant got shred by thorny rattan, got stuck in mud or crawling for way unless you drop yourself on the slippery trek. Bear in mind that the trail is constant ascend from the start, all up no down and not much flat part. There are various routes to Climb Gunung Kinabalu such as Mersilau and Timpohon trail which is differ in term of difficulty level and day taken and require some technical climbing. For normal climber it is better to stick on the commercialize route. There are also various mountain hut on the plateau such as Gurkha hut that reaching these huts would require different pass than the normal one.

at beautiful Gunung Kinabalu Cliff on the way down to Laban Rata

Sunrise at Gunung Kinabalu highest peak = Lows Peak

THE BEST TIME TO CLIMB GUNUNG KINABALU

Avoid raining season from September to Disember. The best time to climb Gunung Kinabalu would be in month of March and April when the wether is normally dry and less rainfall. The forecast based on amount of rainfall permonth but mountain rain is unpredictable. You may start with shining morning sun, trekking in the rain around afternoon, sorround by fog at some part and arrive in the evening with clear sky and nice sunset.

WHAT TO PREPARE FOR GUNUNG KINABALU CLIMB

Trip to Gunung Kinabalu may not be complicated as trip to Mount Everest in logistic or technicality. But well prepared trip is essential to ensure comfortable and enjoyable trip so it worth your money and effort. More importantly your summit attempt is successful. This writing may not provide detail information but may give you some hint sight on what to prepare for the climb.

Just below Gunung Kinabalu Lows Peak

First Day Climb Gunung Kinabalu

Normally climber will spend the first night at Hostel in Kinabalu Park at the foot of the Mountain and start climb in the morning. Nowadays Management Company of the Park has provided complete package inclusive of Food and Accommodation. Some of the hostels are equipped with kitchen area so climbers could prepare their own meal for the night, breakfast and pack lunch. Better check with the new management for latest policy. You could arrange with hostel official to leave some of your things at the park and only bring essential and adequate stuff for the climb. Transportation is provided to ferry climbers from hostel to starting point of their choice either through Timpohon or Mersilau Gate. If the package is expensive for you, there are several hostels just outside Gunung Kinabalu Park's entrance that offer decent accomodation.

1. Wear light for first day Climb. How many clothes that you want to bring up depend on how many you want to change. Basically it can be divided into two type of clothing

1.1. Trekking Clothes – How many pieces you want to pack depend on how many you want to change for ascend, summit and descend trip. If you want different clothes for each one you will end up with more than 6 pieces of wet clothes at the end of Gunung Kinabalu trip. My suggestion is to prepare for two set of inner wear made from quick dry material. One or two set of quick dry T-shirt (one specifically for summit attempt) and two light pants or 1 pant and 1 short. If lighter pack more important to you, use the same outer clothes with different tight / inner wear :). You may prefer a complete dry and new clothes for each trekking but believe me it will get wet with your sweat within minutes. Gunung Kinabalu is located within tropical rainforest whis is high in humidity. Your body tendency to sweat is increase with humidity.

1.2. Sleeping and Non Trekking attire. After 6 hours of trekking for the day all you need is warm bath and dry cloth to enjoy evening fresh air around Laban Rata various huts. Your evening/ sleeping attire could be your second trekking attire. Don’t forget to try Sabah tea at Laban Rata lodge.

At Laban Rata, Before Descend to Timpohon Gate

2. Pack enough drinking water, snack and food. The climbing could be draining your energy level to zero, so ensure a constant level of energy to keep you going or you will moving slow or not able to move at all, then you will be a liability to your group and your guide. Or you could choose to be a famous person next morning by calling air rescue :p

3. Water proofing. Pack your things in plastic bags in case it rains. Bear in mind that you will ascend through at layers of clouds height. Even not a heavy rain, you may encounter a light drizzle that could soak you wet in the middle of trail. Even though there are various rest huts available through the Gunung Kinabalu trail as shelter, the distance between these huts could be nearly in an hour. You also don’t have luxury of time to wait for a complete stop of rain as you might arrive late at Laban Rata. Pack separately between clothes, electronic gadget and group rations. There various type of waterproofing in the market. Check it out here http://mycorezone.com/

4. Lip gloss- sun tan lotion.. not essential but you may need it if skin perfection is your main concern.

5. Cap – Some kind of sun shade is essential especially during descending from Gunung Kinabalu's peak to Kinabalu park. The morning rising sun will be direct and not much shade of high tree for you.

6. If you have so many things to bring along but too heavy to carry by yourself, just hire a potter.. problem solved.

On Gunung Kinabalu summit attempt

Summit attempt will usually start 2-3 hours after midnight to take advantage of clear sky and less fog. At 4,095 meter height, temperature at Gunung Kinabalu can be quite cold, but as it is situated in tropical region the temperature would not be as cold as Mountain in Colder region even though there was report of snow on summit plateau before. Cold may be your main concern as you ready for summit climb at 3 a.m but bear in mind that you will feel hotter and sweat out as climb become harder so breathable choice of clothing is very important, do not wearing too light either as cold wind would be unbearable as you stop for a rest. So you have to prepare accordingly, no need for complete insulation but do not be too simple either. My suggestion is here…

1-Glove – for two purpose; one to warm you from windy cold night on Gunung Kinabalu granite Plateau, two to protect your hand while using rope. Chose for waterproof material. Its going to be cold, windy and the rope are wet. Wet glove are worst than bare hand on chilly night, but your hand will have some protection when hanging on the rope. I'm afraid you will even thinking of not using the rope. If your are on budget then buy latex glove (RM1?) as your base then put those wool construction worker style glove (RM5 buy this at hardware shop) on top of it as protection. Thus you have enough protection and dry hand! even though its not gonna be totally insulated from cold though.

2-Breathable outer jacket / windbreaker with hood, have water resistant or water proof material, this may not protect you from the rain but at least keep you dry from night fog. Preferably 2 layer jacket; outer layer to protect from mist and cold wind while inside layer will prevent your skin in contact with cold outer layer.

3-Light rain coat.. the disposable type would do.. but don’t dispose it on the Mountain please. It’s very cold up there, can’t imagine when it is raining ..so better be prepared.

4-Quick dry t’shirt – always opts for light and quick dry T-shirt. You will value it once you experience what it feel like when standing in blowing cold wind with sweaty wet T-shirt

5-Quick dry Tight

6-Light pant. (preferable with quick dry material)

7-Light shoes with rubber outsole track. Choose for grip flexible soft rubber rather than hard safety boot as wet granite surface on Gunung Kinabalu Plateau could be very slippery. No option for slip and fall on hard granite worst still fall and slide into gully. Read this guide to choose the right hiking shoes , I would personally recommend Adidas Adizero XT or Adidas Kanadia Trail. Both shoes have excellent grip, tough yet flexible outer sole.

8-Cap / snow cap. Heat first leave human body trough your head, so cover it up will made your feel warmer.

9-Headlamp – No No for torch light, you need both of your hand to hold on rope and cliff.

10-Small backpack – for water, raincoat, spare headlamp, spare battery, drinking water and small food ration/ energy bar.

THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN IN SOUTH EAST ASIA?

Gunung Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Malaysia and the highest mountain in South East Asia (SEA).. Some may argue that there several mountains higher than GunungKinabalu such as Mount Puncak Jaya (Carstenze Pyramid) in Irian Jaya or Mountains in Myanmar. Puncak Jaya located in Indonesia which is member of ASEAN but Irian Jaya Island is located on tectonic plate of Oceania which is not of South East Asia, thus disqualified the mountain as the highest mountain in SEA. If we want to consider mountains in Myanmar we will end up not knowing the final list because a lot of Mountain Peaks there still not yet discovered. At North of Myanmar laying the end of himalaya mountain range with various Mountain peaks higher than Puncak Jaya and Gunung Kinabalu but this mountain range in located on Asia Mainland not specifically as SEA. Then the highest Mountain in SEA is Gunung Kinabalu :)