Mount Kinabalu- Challenge

The Climb to the Summit

Climbing to the great Mt Kinabalu is a heart pounding two day adventure that you wont soon forget. You’ll want to check in at park headquarters at around 730am to look for a share guild or 9am if you are in group already, pay your fees and start ascent (4-6hours) to Laban Rata rest house (3272m) where you’ll spend a night before finishing the climb. On the following day you’ll finish scrambling to the top at about 2.30am in order to reach the summit for a breathtaking sunrise over Borneo.

Although you will see hikers of all ages making the journey, a climb up Kinabalu is only advised for those in adequate physical condition. The trek is tough, and the ascent is unrelenting as almost every step you take will be up hill. You will negotiate several obstacles along the way, including slippery stones, blinding humidity, cold winds.

There are two trail option leading up the mountain The Timpohon trail and The Mesilau Trail. If this is your first time climbing Kinabalu, I strongly advise taking the Timpohon Trail its shorter, easier ( but by no means easy!) and more convenient from the park HQ. The Mesilau Trail offers second time climber or fit hikers the opportunity to really enjoy some of the park natural wonders. This trail is less trodden so the chances of seeing unique flora and Fauna are higher. As you journey up to the summit you’ll happen upon signboards showing your progress there’s a marker every 500m. there are also rest shelters at regular intervals with basic toilets and tanks of unfiltered drinking water.

Timpohon Gate to Layang Layang

‘Why am I sweating this much already’

The Trip to the summit officially starts at the Timpohon gate (1866m) and from there it’s an 8.72km march to the summit. There is a small bathroom outhouse located 700m before the Timpohon Gate and a convenience shop a the gate itself for snacks and beverages purchases (get a 100plus!)

After a short deceptive descent the trail leads up steep stairs through the dense forest and continues winding up and up for the rest of the trip. There’s a charming waterfall, Carson’s Falls beside the track shortly after the start, and the forest can be alive with birds and squirrels in the morning.

Layang Layang To Pondok Paka

‘Why did I put all the extra crap in my bag?’

This part of the climb can be the most difficult for some especially around the 4.5km marker. You’ll definitely make some head way but there’s still a long trek to go, no light at the end of the jungly tunnel quite yet. It takes about 1.75 hours to reach Pondok Paka (3053m) the seventh shelter on the trail, 5.5km from the start. You’ll welcome the few flat section near Pondok Paka lying between the seemingly endless steps. This stretch is good for spotting pitcher plants although you probably wont see any growing by the side of the track-look among the dense vegetation.

Pondok Paka to Laban Rata

‘Why did I pay all that money just to climb a freakin mountain?!’

Also known as the’ can’t I pay someone to finish this for me?’ phase, this part of the climb is where beleaguered hikers get a second wind as the tree line ends and the summit starts to feel closer, this part was one of my favorite, I simply love the cool scenery gorgeous (Chinese Pancai like tree) absolutely worth the effort to climb. At the end of this leg you’ll reach Laban Rata Rest House (3272m) your home sweet home on the mountain

Laban Rata to Sayat Sayat Hut

‘Why am I waking up at the time I usually go to bed back home?’

Its 130am and your alarm just went off, is this a dream? Nope. 30mins to grab your bags, wash your face, brash your teeth…… and 30 more mins to have supper! You are about to climb the last part of the mountain in id=rder to reach the summit before sunrise. Most people set off at round 245am, don’t forget your head torch. The one hour climb to Sayat Sayat hut (3668m) involves a lot of hiker traffic and the crossing of the sheer Panar Laban rock face. There is little vegetation, except where overhangs provide some respite from the wind. It is one of the toughest parts of the climb, especially in the cold and dark of the predawn hours. Thick ropes are used to pull yourself up the granite sheets; its hard work in places, but it feels great to use arm muscles instead of your weary legs.

Sayat Sayat Nut to Summit

‘Why is it so darn cold out?!’

After checking in at Sayat Sayat the crowd of hikers begins to thin as stronger walkers forge ahead and slower adventurers pause for sips from their water bottle. If you are able to position yourself ahead of the crowd, stop every so often to look back down at the climbers below you they like pilgrims on a silent spiritual quest (even the head lamp look like flicking candles). Dispite the stunning surroundings, the last stretch of the summit ascent is , of course, the steepest and hardest part of the climb. Some spots are so precarious that you’ll be thankful you couldn’t see exactly what you were doing as you climb up!

From just beyond Sayat Sayat, the summit looks deceptively close and, though its just over 1km, the last burst will take between one to three hours depending on your stamina. You might even see shattered climbers crawling on hands and knees as they reach out for the top of Borneo. Once you’re motionless at the top waiting for thes un to rise the coldness really starts to set in.

The Summit

‘Speechless’

This is the million dollar moment or the RM 600 whatever you paid for moment, climber crowd together while jockeying for the essential photograph of the summit sign. Flashbulbs go off like lighting waking up sleepy eyes, and everyone obsesses over tying to nab a seat at the official summit point, forgetting that the sunrise can be glimpsed from anywhere on the mountain. Dawn came at around 545am-620am and the weary suddenly smile the climb up is a distant memory and the trek down merely an afterthought. True adventurer should sign up with Mountain Torq to climb back to Laban Rata along the world’s highest via ferrata.