MOUNT KINABALU
Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Malaysia with height of 4,095 metres (13,455 ft). Place of Mount 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. Mount Kinabalu has several peaks and the highest peak is Low's Peak. Mount 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. Mount Kinabalu has been accorded UNESCO World Heritage status.
south peak
At more than 4000 meters height. Mount 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 mountain in Mac 2005 and truly astounded by its unique beauty. The climb would take two days preferably. It include spend the 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/ .
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| Shadow of Low's Peak fall on Horizon as sun rise over |
Mount 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 Mount 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 Mount 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.
Avoid raining season from September to Disember. The best time to climb Mount 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.
Trip to Mount 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.
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| Just below Mount Kinabalu Peak |
First Day Climb
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 Mount 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 Mount 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 of your sweat within minutes..
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.
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 Mount 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 Moun Kinabalu's peak to Kinabalu park. The morning rising sun will be direct and not much shade of high tree for you.
3. If you have so many things to bring along but too heavy to carry by yourself, just hire a potter.. problem solved.
On 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 Mount 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, two to protect your hand while using rope. Chose for waterproof type.
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.
7-Light shoes with rubber outsole track. Choose for grip flexible soft rubber rather than hard safety boot as wet granite surface could be very slippery. No option for slip and fall on hard granite worst still fall and slide into gully.
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?
Mount 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 Mount Kinabalu 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 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 Mount Kinabalu but this mountain range in located on Asia Mainland not specifically as SEA. Then the highest Mountain in SEA is Mount Kinabalu :)
View of Mount Kinabalu from Manukan Island
MAPS TO MOUNT KINABALU
To go to Mount Kinabalu National Park straight away from Kota Kinabalu International Airport would take around 3 hours. Transportation could be arranged through travel agent or ops for public transport - take airport cab to Kota KInabalu City Bus Station, then you could take Public Bus (it is van normally instead of the large Bus) to Mount Kinabalu Park. After passing Kota Kinabalu City, the ride would be through hilly area up to highland area of Kundasang. That would be could cold and expect for some hill rain in the evening.
Refer map of the journey as below or
View Mount Kinabalu National park in a larger map
or view the satellite image here
View Mount Kinabalu National park in a larger map
Route From Laban Rata to Low's Peak, the highest peak of Mount Kinabalu
View Laban Rata Hut and Gunting Lagadan Hut from Sattelite View Here. Click " Earth" for 3D view on Google Earth, Click "Ter" to view terrain / topo map on Mount Kinabalu or "Sat" for sattelite view
View Laban Rata Hut in a larger map
COST TO CLIMB MOUNT KINABALU (as at 2010)
Cost to climb Mount Kinabalu presented below would only cover cost at the Mountain not involve your flight ticket or transportation from Kota Kinabalu to Kinabalu Park. This is based on specific cost involved such as permit, insurance, guide etc.. this tabulate is available at Sabah Park Website and SSL (the private operator who manage accomodation at Laban Rata (since 2006 if not mistaken). As SSL control hut at Laban Rata area, by hook or by crook you all have to go through them if you want to stay at Laban Rata which is what the normal climb would be (first night sleep at Laban Rata and summit attempt at wee hour of the morning).. Otherwise just plan for a stay at various hut on the ganite plateau such as Gurkha Hut - for this you just have to go through Sabah Park but that means a longer journey overpass Laban Rata and you have to bring up your own cooking stove, ration, sleeping mat/bag - in other word; it means a lot more stuff and a lot more weight. If you opt for SSL package which is already cover all the cost tabulate below plus profit and plus whatever else.. that would come with amount such as RM486 for 3 day 2 night package [1 night at Rock Hostel and 1 night at Gunting Lagadan Hut (Laban Rata area)] . Different hut would have different charge - the most exclusive of all is Laban Rata Hut, if you stay here you would have the convenience of nice cafe in the same building.. Try to ask for one night package, that would be cheaper but you have to arrange for different accomodation at first night. there are some hostel available just outside Mount Kinabalu Park.. SSL not published their rate at their website which is a kind of weird.. so you have no choice but to contact them directly by phone
The cost could be tabulate as below in RM - Ringgit Malaysia
1. Permit Fee | Malaysia | Non - Malaysia |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (per person) | 30 | 100 |
| Below 18 years(per person) | 12 | 40 |
2. Insurance (per person) | Malaysia & Non - Malaysia |
|---|---|
| Death Per Accident cover for RM 50,000 | 7.00 |
| Permanent Disablement As A Result Of An Accident Max cover -RM 50,000 | 7.00 |
| 3. Certificate Malaysian & Non-Malaysian | Malaysia &Non - Malaysia |
|---|---|
| 1st Class (color) | 10.00 |
| 1st Class (color) | 10.00 |
| 4. Trail Fee Between Timpohon Gate and Mesilau Gate (per person) | Malaysia | Non - Malaysia |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (per person) | 5 | 10 |
| Below 18 years(per person) | 2 | 5 |
5. Guide fee
| Route | Number of Climbers | Fee per Day |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Timpohon-Summit-Timpohon | 1-3 | 42.50 |
4-6 | 50.00 | |
2. Timpohon-Summit-Mesilau/ Mesilau-Summit-Timpohon | 1-3 | 47.50 |
4-6 | 57.50 | |
3. Mesilau-Summit-Mesilau | 1-3 | 47.50 |
4-6 | 60 | |
4. Mesilau-King George Peak(Kotal's Route | 1-3 (1 guide) | 100 |
4-6 (2 guide) | 100 | |
7-8 (3 guide) | 100 |
Contact No.
Contact the accommodation reservation at:
Sutera Sanctuary Lodges,
G.15, Ground Floor, Wisma Sabah
88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Telephone: 6088-243629, 6088-245742
Fax: 6088-259552
E-mail: infor@suterasanctuarylodges.com
Website: www.suterasanctuarylodges.com (online booking available)
Or, go directly to the Sabah Parks (at the Mount Kinabalu Park reception counter) to arrange for a climbing permit, mountain guide, insurance, climbing certificate, porter service, and Transport to Timpohon Gate (starting point).
Telephone: 6088-889098
Transportation
- Koktas Sdn. Bhd.
Telephone: 088-889099 (Kinabalu Park)/088-879118 (Ranau)
Fax: 088-879119
More Information of Mount Kinabalu
Latest information of Mount Kinabalu - May 2010
Visit Official Website of Sabah Tourism Agency for detail information on Mount Kinabalu and other actractive places in Sabah Borneo
