Mt Kinabalu Climb

Hi,

I will be arriving in Kota Kinabalu on 25/04, and looking to do the climb to the summit of Mt Kinabalu on the 26th, reaching the summit on 27th.

As a single traveller, I have been offered a tour package with guide, meals, etc. Another option I am looking at is organising the climb myself.

Is it easy enough just turning up and joining another group of climbers, or am I better off just booking the tour?

Thanks heaps.

Mt Kinabalu Climb

Use the tour.

The climb requires overnight accomodation on the Mountain and it is limited. If its not arranged well in advance you are likely to miss out. You also have to have a qualified local guide.

Mt Kinabalu Climb

Hi glimmerman01 -

If you%26#39;re feeling particularly adventurous yeah, you can do it on your own, because it%26#39;s a propper leg of the Amazing Race, ie. an adventure :o)

But like Bigw said, the spaces are limited, usually booked way in advance and not guaranteed to open up last minute - having said that, as a lone traveller you%26#39;re possibly likely to pick-up a no-show or a last minute cancellation when you get there. If it%26#39;s no big deal, and you wouldn%26#39;t be heartbroken if you miss out, do it solo.

If not, then at least organise the accommodation part of it (info@suterasanctuarylodges.com.my is the contact for the company that manages it) - you can arrive early morning day-1, start the climb, overnight at just over 3000m, summit and return by mid-day day-2. All you need then is to catch an early mini-bus / bus / taxi to the mountain from any of a selection of places around KK, and Bob%26#39;s your uncle (and Marge%26#39;s your aunt).

The tour guides, permits and insurance can%26#39;t be pre-booked (has to be done there), so that%26#39;s no worry.

Thanks bigw and EastofWest for replying so promptly to my post.

Your insight has convinced me to book on the tour, and I now looking forward to the experience.

One last question - is it necessary (or recommended) to stay in the park headquarters the night before you climb to Laban Rata, to acclimatise a bit, or doesn%26#39;t it make much of a difference if you come straight in from KK in the morning?

Thanks,

glimmerman01

I wouldn%26#39;t recommend staying in the park to acclimatise, I%26#39;m not sure it would make a big difference. What it would be good for though, is to give you more time, to sleep mostly, as you wouldn%26#39;t have to get up early for the nearly 2 hours transfer from KK to the park.

If you travel well it%26#39;s not really needed though - it%26#39;s an interesting drive and great to see the mountain you%26#39;re about to summit from afar.

where did you pre-book your tour? Am going in july and want to book now.

thanks

My tip is that it is indeed worthwhile to stay at the Park the day and night before as it provides a nice rest and tranquil scenery. Arrive early and you can take in the numerous trails and sights around the park. It is around 1500 metres and does aid to your acclimatisation. They have a nice botanical garden which you can view by yourself or join the guided tour to learn more of their plants.

I stayed at the Summit Lodge and can highly recommend it. It can sleep up to four and is a house with all mod cons including a kitchen, dining room, fireplace, queen bed and two single beds. Need to book way in advance to get this place though.

Arrange your permits and guide upon arrival. This way you can have the guide collect you with the shuttle bus and take you to the gate 5 ks away from the accommodation so that you can commence the climb from Timpohon Gate at 0730 the next day. If you are particularly keen you can walk from your accommodation to the gate but it is a hard uphill walk on the road to the gate.

I carried all my own gear but for those not used to doing so may prefer to have a porter do the hard work for you. Arrange a porter at the gate; your guide will assist with this.

It is a fairly hard slog up the mountain and by going early you will miss the heat, though it will still be very humid. No need to carry full water bottles as water is available on the way up at most resting huts from tanks. I found the water good and did not add any purification tablets. Make sure you hydrate a lot in the days leading up to your trek. Stop at the huts and take in the view, drink and eat. You will also see squirrels and other native animals at the huts if you rest quietly.

Make sure you ask your guide to show you the pitcher plants on the way up. Good guides will know where they are located. Little track to the right side of the trail a little way past the 9000 ft sign.

I felt the hardest part of the trek was from kilometre 4 up to Sayat Sayat at around Km 7.5. From there it is fairly moderate trekking.

I stopped at Laban Rata and had lunch. Then my guide obtained the key for the gate just a few hundred metres past Laban Rata (the trail is locked each day after the last climbers come down). We proceeded up and onto the summit in white out conditions and heavy rain. Just started to get cold up past Sayat Sayat but that was early afternoon. Shorts and short sleeve top then I added a Gore-Tex jacket over the top. I also carried my small backpack with essentials, i.e., jacket, headlamp, gloves, first aid kit and water. I did not find it very slippery in the conditions. I made it back down from the summit to Laban Rata in around 50 minutes. I find a jogging style motion on the downhill easier for me. However there are a couple of sections on the way down where holding onto the rope is prudent. These spots are signposted with warnings so best to take heed and go slow and hold on.

I reckon if most people saw what they were about to climb in the daytime the success rate would be less than it is now. In the dark people cannot see what is coming up and I can testify to that as I went up again with my wife and daughter (10) the next morning around 3.30 am. I knew what was ahead.

The conditions with the early morning start were pleasant and I only wore shorts, thermal short sleeve top and shirt over. Was 10 degrees Celsius on the digital thermometer outside Laban Rata. Do not take that as a guide to do the same though, I made that decision based on my past experience and carried Gore-Tex jacket as a backup. Many people were rugged up with thermal underwear, long pants and tops etc and commented how hot they were. Mountain conditions can change very quickly so best to be prepared for any conditions.

I also only used running shoes. Expensive and heavy trekking boots are not required. Just ensure they have good grip.

Breakfast is available if you like at Laban Rata before departing up from around 1.30 am but may not be advisable for most as it may further add to feeling unwell from the effects of altitude. Some palatable snacks may be preferable and easier to consume as you take breaks. Carry water up also. Some people left as early as 2.30 am but most seemed have gone by 3am. If you leave with the crowds you will suffer from the bottleneck sections and have to wait for people to clear the steps and narrow sections. It is also dark and cold if you arrive at the summit too early.

Coming Down.

For nearly all this will be the toughest part. Summit to Laban Rata is not too bad. Most leave on their gloves especially if taking hold of the rope and using it as a brake. Make sure you stop and take time out to take in the views and take photos, as it is easy to forget to do this. Watch your step on the timber stairs as they get slippery when wet. Use the handrail to steady yourself.

Take some breakfast at Laban Rata and relax for a while, pack your gear and head on down. This will really test your legs and limits. Two poles for those not so sure-footed and those who are not used to taking really big steps down the mountain. Stop and drink water regularly and eat high-energy snacks as it will get warmish on the way down and you need to remain hydrated. The downward slope seems to drag on forever and the kilometre boards seems to take ages to pass by.

Back at Timpohon Gate

Take the shuttle or waiting taxis back to the Park entrance gate to collect either your colour certificate for reaching the summit or the black and white one for reaching Laban Rata.

What Next-Poring Hot Springs

Poring hot springs for three days/two nights. This will allow you to unwind and soak away the pains. You may not be able to walk properly for around two or three days in most cases and three days at Poring is the key. One day is too rushed.

I stayed at the Jungle lodge and found it beautiful and very well maintained. You will need to book in advance to get this lodge. Can sleep three, with two in the king bed and one on the floor using the couch pillows as a mattress (I had thought it accommodated three so I had the floor option) For those on a budget you can choose other accommodation options. It has very nice fittings and is very comfortable. Also has a nice and very private outside bath (normal hot/cold water not spring).

At Poring you have numerous soaking options. There are several long tubs near the changing rooms for just soaking your legs. One is warm and the other is HOT. Use the warm first then move your legs over to the hot soak. Above this section are the baths. They take around 20 minutes to fill and the trick is to find one that does not leak from the waste plug and will never totally fill. There are 4 tubs side by side to each hut and each tub holds two people comfortably. All these outside covered units are free. Water is drained after each use. Also try to get there early as the tourist buses begin to arrive around 10am and people pile out to use the baths. I got up around 6am on day two of Poring and had the whole place to myself until around 9.30 am. If you like privacy then you can use the private baths, which are nearby, but you must pay to use them.

Around 30 metres away is a free swimming pool and the water in there is very refreshing (Cool).

There are lots of trails at Poring including the Canopy walkway but my bet is most people who have climbed the mountain will just want to rest, soak and swim (read your legs will be very sore and walking may not excite you). They also have a nature reserve at Poring, which houses animals and is worth viewing.

Take your meals outside the front gate if you want local food, though Poring Hot Springs has its own nice restaurant. There are several local cafes or there is a hotel (Round Inn), which serves alcohol and food down the road a little, or the Tropicana Coffee House and Restaurant and the bottom of the street.

You will find several places that will wash your clothes outside the front gate also. It is very cheap and they do quality work. I used the laundry, which is the first shop as you near the entrance to Poring Hot Springs.

In the main street you will find many street stalls selling crystal, copper, silver and other assorted rocks and wares. Whatever price you see advertised halve it at least.