Climb Mount Kinabalu

Site Category : Mountain Park Many visitors arriving at the Kinabalu National Park are awed by the magnificent Mt Kinabalu and have the urge to go up the summit just by looking at its majestic form. But do not be tempted. Climbing Mt Kinabalu on impulse is asking for troubles,you may get into unexpected difficulties while up there. You only climb it when you are prepared for it. Firstly, when you arrive at the park, the official guides may have already gone home because you have not made any prior booking.Unguided climb is prohibited for the safety of climbers.It is bacause mists may have set in unexpectedly and it is easy to be lost if you do not know the terrain well. Also the vegetations on the slope begin to thin down as you ascend and further up there it is completely void of any vegetation, it becomes a vast, barren rock face. There is no mark, no path ways here unlike at the lower part of the slope where recognisable path ways are formed as a result of climbers walking on the soft ground,but here it is not possible to leave marks on the hard rock face no matter how many climbers had passed by. Without an official guide one can easily lost his way even if the visibility is good. And take caution that certain parts are quite dangerous to cross without the expert guidance of the guide. Secondly, you must take up some form of physical training to tune up your body especially the leg muscles. Jogging for 2-3 km or walking up and down flights of staircase a couple of times daily will be good enough. True,there is not much climbing to do,just a walk up the slope. But 5-6 hours of non stop up-hill walk demands a great deal of body fitness! And let me mention in passing, do not take it lightly regarding the low temperature, thinner air on the mountain. There were tragic loss of young lives due to under estimating the coldness up there and did not wear enough clothing to protect themselves. They thought that the coldness up there is nothing to worry about becaus they had experienced much colder winters in their own countries. So they went up the mountain scantly clothed. They collasped under the combined pressure of cold, thin air and fatigue, and maybe some hidden illness within thier bodies which they themselves were not aware of. Thirdly, all climbers must rest for the night at Panar Laban Hut or Laban Rata Resthouse (3,272m), without prior reservations there might not be any empty room for you! And you have to turn back because the Park Warden will not allow you to be exposed to the strong chill winds there at night up there. Finally, you may have not brought along with you enough clothes for change. The clothes you are wearing will be wet from sweats, mists and rains. The chilly wind plus wet clothes will quickly drain away your body heat and endanger your life. Tips : Wrap tightly your spare clothes in plastic bags, because your haversack(backpack) will not be able to protect them from the heavy tropical rains. Climbers living in Sabah usually go up Mt Kinabalu in groups, organised by clubs, associations, companies, government departments and schools. Foreign tourists are advised to take a package from any of the tour operators. A normal climb will usually take 3 days and 2 nights : Day# 1----Travel from KK to Kinabalu Park HQ -- --Find your own activities for the remaining of the day. Night# 1--Stay in any accommodation of your choice within the Park area. Day# 2----Meet up with official guide,proceed to starting point. ----Registration,then start the climb. Night# 2--Stay at Hut or Resthouse. (Your choice) Day# 3---At wee hours of the morning, begin the assault on the summit. ---Reach summit just in time for sunrise! Take in the great span of greenery that streches out as far as your eye can see. ----Your guide will by now starts urging you to descend before the mist rises and cover the moutain top. ----Descend to Park HQ,lunch at nearby restaurant. ----Collect from Park Warden your certificate of achievement (verified by your guide,so be nice to him,..lol) ----Go home or spend another night? Your choice. Contact tour operators for details.They are listed in my earlier post "Mount Kinabalu".(View)