Showing posts with label Guides. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Guides. Show all posts

Guides to Climbing Mt Kinabalu

Preparation


Planning

Training

 Getting Ready To Go

Travelling

Journey


How to Get There

Analysis Of Terrain & The Journey


Accommodation And Food

Journey to climb Mount Kinabalu

My Journey Of Climbing Mount Kinabalu


Rock formation right after Sayat Sayat checkpoint during our descent.


The most iconic view of Mount Kinabalu, South Peak.


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Islands Hopping in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

What to do in Kota Kinabalu when you are not climbing the mountain?

If you have a day in Kota Kinabalu you may want to try out islands hopping at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. The national marine park consists of 5 beautiful islands located at South China Sea not far away from Kota Kinabalu. It takes less than 20 minutes boat ride to reach the islands from Kota Kinabalu city.


Looking at Pulau Gaya (Island Gaya) from Pulau Sapi (Island Sapi).
I love the crystal clear ocean water and relaxing white sandy beach of Pulau Sapi.


Tunku Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park located at the West Coast of Sabah state. IT consists of 5 islands:
  1. Pulau Sapi (Sapi Island)
  2. Pulau Manukan (Manukan Island)
  3. Pulau Mamutik (Mamutik Island)
  4. Pulau Gaya (Gaya Island)
  5. Pulau Sulug(Sulug Island)


Let's put it this way, these islands provide little marine wildlife experience to begin with. These are popular tourists locations. But these are relaxing places to go with comfortable (and short distance) boat rides, beautiful beaches, well maintained facilities, food stalls on the islands, clear ocean water, etc. The islands hopping activity is perfectly suitable for people who loves and enjoys nature yet desirous of conveniences provided by our "over-civilized world". ;-)

Boat ride to the islands.


In September 2011, we spent a day in Kota Kinabalu after our Mount Kinabalu climb. We made the booking for islands hopping just one day before the trip. We started the trip next morning at probably 9.00 am and reaching the first island, Pulau Sapi, within 20 minutes. Later, we had our lunch at Pulau Manukan. We finished our island hopping trip at Pulau Mamutik before reaching Kota Kinabalu city by 4.00 pm.

Whether it is a half day trip or one day trip depends on the number of islands you want to go and how long you spend in each island.

Sapi Island

We spent long hours at Sapi Island to swim and snorkel. There were fishes in the water. The beach at Sapi Island is beautiful, especially you can over see the other island beach, i.e. Gaya Island. But for lunch, we need to move to another island.

Beach of Sapi Island. Gaya Island in sight.

Looking at Gaya Island from Sapi Island.




Manukan Island

Manukan Island has the most beautiful park and chalets among the islands at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. I am guessing that this island is being maintained by Sutera Sanctury Lodges (the same company that operates Kinabalu Park) since these chalets are managed by them.

Clean and beautiful park on Manukan Island.

Crystal clear water at Manukan Island.

Mamutik Island

This island has less to offer other than Malaysian food. You can find many food stalls operate by different people. It is still a nice island, but with too many uncoordinated design of food stalls.

Mamutik Island.




Here are a few really useful websites:
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Taking Care of Camera While Climbing Mt Kinabalu

Wendy asked,
"I will be joining the climb in this coming november which is unfortunately the raining season. Is it advisable to bring my Canon Powershot SX40 HS (weighing appx 600g) for the climb? Which i will be lugging it along my neck for the whole climb."


Whether raining season or dry season, as I understand, it always rains. We need to make our choice between the chance of taking good photograph versus possibility of spoiling our camera.

For me, I brought my camera along my climb despite knowing it was probably going to rain along the way. Most of the time, during both of my climbs, my SLR camera was hanging on my neck. During heavy rain, it went into my water resistance backpack and covered under raincoat.

Here are a few things you should bring to keep your camera dry.
  1. A water resistance backpack. I think most backpack are water resistance. During heavy rain, put your camera in the water resistance backpack.
  2. A very light raincoat that can cover your head, your body and your backpack. When there is rain, cover yourself and your water resistance backpack inside the raincoat. Now there are two layers of water resistance.
    (You can get this small little disposable raincoat pack from Guardian pharmacy. Unlike the normal raincoat (which is heavy), this raincoat is light enough to put in your backpack. It is disposable, so buy two or three. It is made of plastic bag material and, so it is not very environmentally friendly though.)
  3. Wear a water resistance windbreaker jacket. In a drizzle, you still can hang your camera on your neck, yet hide it inside your water resistance jacket covered under raincoat. But be careful, sometimes rainwater can find its ways from your face and neck and go inside your raincoat and jacket.



Three more things to note:

First
During your night climb, right before Sayat Sayat, there is a stretch of trail that requires you to use both hands to hold a rope while walking on a ledge. Your body will slant slightly forward on the rocky surface of mountain. You will not want your camera (which is hanging on your neck) to knock on rocky surface. You can either put your camera back to your backpack OR continue to lug it on your neck, put it inside your windbreaker jacket and zip up the jacket.

Second
After Sayat Sayat checkpoint, there is a stretch of route before 8KM (approximately 3800 meter above sea level), you will probably feel very tire due to the height, steepness of the trail and lack of oxygen. The 600g camera suddenly becomes very heavy. You probably regret why you ever want to bring this "bulky" camera to this mountain. In my first climb, at that very moment, I did regret.
But it is all worthwhile to bring your camera right to the peak and down.

Third
Descent from summit to Laban Rata is the most scenic part of the climb.
The problems:
  1. I enjoyed so much of the scenery that I was very reluctant to snap photo spoiling the moment. Then I regretted of not taking enough photograph.
  2. But it was so beautiful at the summit looking downward. Shouldn't I just experience the moment, absorb all the grandeur views of the mountain into my eyes instead if snapping photo?
  3. It is dangerous to walk, to enjoy the scenery and to snap photo all at the same time. You can twist your leg easily if you are not careful during the descent from summit. So be careful.
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Climbing Mount Kinabalu Package

In general, there are two ways to book a travel package to climb Mount Kinabalu. There are pros and cons for each way.

1. DIY option

You can book your climb directly through the national park's sole operator, Sutera Sanctuary Lodge ("SSL").  It offers a standard 3D/2N climbing package that includes foods and accommodations. The price is cheaper than those offered by travel agencies. However, you need to book your place  6 months before the climb and the package does not include transport from/ to the airport to/ from Kinabalu National Park.

 2. Tour option

Alternatively, you can book climbing package from travel agencies who bought bulk places from SSL. It is slightly expensive, but it includes transport to and fro between airport and Kinabalu National Park. This will be a better option if you don't want to worry about arranging transports and local guides. It also gives more choices of tour's itinerary. And this is the only option if you urgently need a place to climb Mount Kinabalu in less than 6 months.

So, where can you find the travel agencies offering Climbing Mount Kinabalu Packages?

They usually advertise on internet. For instance, there are four ads below this paragraph and a few more at the left panel of this page. You can refresh this page to view more offers. You can book your climbing place through their websites, email them or call them. The staffs are able to speak English. You can check them out.




Alternative, you can search for travel packages to climb Mount Kinabalu using our custom search box below. Just search for "climbing Mount Kinabalu package". There should be at least 8 to 10 travel agencies showing their tour packages to climb Mount Kinabalu.



Climbing Mount Kinabalu Package: Comparison of the options


1. DIY option: if you book through SSL


The rate quoted for 3D/2N climbing package in 2011, when I climbed the mountain, was RM452 per person (in a group of 7 travelers) (include accommodation & all meals), RM30 per person climbing permit and RM RM7 per person insurance. In total, RM489 per person.

This year, 2012, a traveler reported in lonely planet, that the cost had increased to RM728 per single traveler, RM100 per person climbing permit and RM7 per person insurance. In total, RM835 per person. It seems SSL's price has been increasing for the last few years.

This climbing package includes:
  • 1 night stay at Kinabalu National Park before the climb (Dormitory)
  • 1 night stay at Laban Rata (Dormitory)
  • 2 breakfast buffets on day 2 and day 3
  • 2 lunch buffets on day 2 (lunch pack prepared for you to eat during your climb to Laban Rata) and day 3 (at Kinabalu National Park right after descent)
  • 2 dinner buffets on day 1 (arrival at Kinabalu Park) and day 2 (Laban Rata)
  • 1 supper (at Laban Rata 2am before your climb to summit)

It does not include the following:
  • Transport from airport to/fro Kinabalu Park. You need to arrange separately with tour or transport companies to pick you up from and send you back to airport
  • Park entrance fees (RM15)
  • Return shuttle to and from Kinabalu Park HQ to Timpohon Gate (RM33)
  • One compulsory mountain guide (RM100) per group of maximum 4 climbers.
  • Certificate (RM10) per person
  • Option to hire porter to bring essential things to Laban Rata (approximately RM8 per KG)
  • There are cost to leave your luggage at Kinabalu Park while you attempt the climb (RM10 per bag)
  • More price information here from SSL

Tips for DIY:
  • You can book for an extra night stay in the park after the climb. We stayed in Nephenthis Lodge and we simply loved the place. The price is affordable as we went in a group.
  • Talk to your transport driver if you want him to recommend you places to visit. They are usually happy to detour for a fee if the detour does not jeopardize your timing to climb or back to airport.




2. Tour Option: Checking out various fabulous climbing packages offered by travel agencies


In general, the 3D/2N package prices offered by travel agencies ranged between RM950 - RM1,400 per person depending on the itinerary and number of people in a group. It should cover everything that includes
  • Accommodations and food of the entire trip starting from the airport
  • Climb permit, insurance, park entrance fee, return shuttle from Park's HQ to Timpohon gate, mountain guide, etc.
  • Transport to pick you up from the airport until the last day sending you back to airport

There should be no extra cost. However, things vary depends on the climbing package that you order. Please check clearly before you place your booking.

Variations of the Standard Travel Package of Climbing Mount Kinabalu

Beside the standard 3D/2N climbing option, there are variations offered by different travel agents at different prices:
  • some packages offer longer period of stay,
  • some offer 2D/1N climb (very limited offers available)
  • some offer more places of visit, i.e. islands hopping & scuba diving at Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park, Poring Hot Spring, white water rafting at Padas river, etc.
  • some offer luxury day climb with 2 days on the mountain
  • some offer a different climbing experience Via ferrata (Mount Kinabalu has the highest Via ferrata in the world)
  • etc.


Check out the climbing Mount Kinagalu packages offered by various travel agencies.

More Resources
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Climbing the terrain (Part 2: Descending)

Step-by-Step Terrain of Mount Kinabalu:

From Summit to Sayat Sayat

  • This is the most beautiful stretch of the climb
  • Be careful of your steps and walk slowly. It is quite easy to slip and fall on the trail during downhill walk, especially when the scenery is so beautiful
  • Follow the white rope

Walk slowly


Grand view


Sayat Sayat checkpoint at the bottom

More photo on the descent before reaching Sayat Sayat



From Sayat Sayat to Laban Rata

  • Watch out for time. Breakfast buffet at Laban Rata closes at 10.00am. So make sure you return to Laban Rata before 10am
  • This is the part that you need to pull the rope during the ascending climb at night. Now you can see how beautiful the view is

Right after Sayat Sayat

You can see Laban Rata Resthouse at the bottom. But it is still quite a long way to reach Laban Rata.
You can't see this at night when you climb up. This is the stretch after Sayat Sayat before reaching Laban Rata during your descent.
Very near to Laban Rata now.


From Laban Rata to Kinabalu Park

  • Leave Laban Rata as early as possible. Chances of rain is higher at the later part of the day.


Step-by-Step Terrain of Mount Kinabalu:

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Safety and Tragedy: Is climbing Mount Kinabalu dangerous?

Hiking above the cloud.


You ask, is it dangerous (or safe) to climb Mount Kinabalu?

My answer is: It is safe, with a few considerations:
  • you need to be healthy. The mountain operator, Sutra Sanctuary Lodge, has a special note in its booking confirmation documents recommending climbers to have medical check up before attempting the climb. It also recommends climbers who suffered from certain medical conditions to refrain from climbing the mountain. Read here.
  • you can follow instructions: Listen to the rangers during briefing, follow the white rope at summit, follow advice from mountain guides and just don't do what is obviously dangerous
  • are reasonably well prepared with fitness of average people
  • well equipped with proper shoes, gloves, warm cloth (night climb to summit) and headlight (night climb to summit)
  • you can keep altitude sickness under control

Yes, it is a safe climb suitable for family outing of average healthy people. You can read more answers from others who climbed the mountain, click here.

It is safer than it looks. It is just the matter of angle.



Tragedies at Mount Kinabalu

Fatal accidents are relatively rare among climbers of Mount Kinabalu, however, just like any sport at any place, it happens. There were a few fatal accidents happened on Mount Kinabalu. We will focus on what went wrong so that we can take precaution to prevent similar event in the future.

Ellie James
On 16 August 2001, a British school girl, Ellie James, and her brother Henry James got lost in thick fogs on the way down from Low's Peak. Apparently Ellie went off to seek help while Henry waiting at the granite spot they found as shelter. Henry was rescued 6 hours later.

The search for Ellie was hampered by the worst weather hitting the area in a decade. For a week there were tropical storms and thick fogs. Ellie was found dead on 23 August 2001 at about 500m below the St John’s Peak. Mount Kinabalu Borneo website has a full account of the incident. Read here.

Her father, Bruce, gave an account to British media that "...his daughter and son Henry got lost on the Low’s trail when they headed straight instead of following the rope which shows ‘left’."

"But they took the wrong turn. Henry keeps talking to himself on how he missed the turning. The white rope is visible even in thick fog. But the fact is they did it and it was a fatal mistake," said Bruce. Read more here.

The white rope at the left indicates the correct trail for climbers to follow.

Just follow the white rope.



You can find a graphical illustration of the location here.

I also found a concise summary of the incident from this blogger's website:

"...two British teenagers Ellie James and her brother Henry together with their parents, were among a group of 12 that scaled the Low's Peak. However, on the descending from the peak, Ellie and Henry wandered off from the group. Henry was found six hours later by rescuers after the parents alerted the Kinabalu park rangers. Ellie apparently told Henry to stay put while she went to look for help.

Due to the howling winds and poor visibility, Ellie was rendered invisible and inaudible for 7 days. A park ranger found the body of missing Ellie James a 17-year-old girl lying face down on a steep rocky slope near St. John's Peak, the third highest peak on Mount Kinabalu with an altitude of 4,090.75 meters. Her body, still clad in her pink jacket, was found just 500 meters from the spot where her 15-year-old brother Henry was rescued earlier.

The authorities did not rule out that Ellie could have died from exposure as there were no visible injuries on her body. Rescue efforts were hampered by heavier-than-usual tropical storms that lasted for a week and produced thick fogs. Temperatures on the mountain dropped to freezing point and the wind speeds jumped to over 100 kilometers per hour."

You can read the blogger full account of his climb here.

The flat slope at the summit's plateau. White rope at the left bottom corner of this photograph.


Sudin Yussin
On 2 October 2004, a 51 year-old local participant, under veteran category, of Mount Kinabalu Climbathon, Sudin Yussin, died on the summit 8KM due to extremely cold and bad weather. Here is a short account of the incident.

Temperature at the peak can reach freezing point. This is KM8 road sign.



Tan Tzu Hau
On 14 September 2009, Tan Tzu Hau, a 31 year-old man were found dead 5.5KM from the Mesilau Trail. It is near, but before reaching, Laban Rata. Apparently he was trailing behind the group, slipped and fell on the trail.

The Star reported the incident here. Another account here.

(Note: It is quite unlikely that someone will fell off the trail or fell off the cliff. Along the trail to Laban Rata, the climber walks on jungle trail most of the time. There is no cliff. At times, there are wooden fence on the trail that next to a slope. At the rocky summit plateau, you are safe if you just follow the white rope.)



Lau Siang Lip
On 6 June 2012, a 59 retiree from Muar, died of head injuries after he slipped and fell on the rocky trail near the Layang-Layang Point at KM4.7 of the Summit Trail. Read more here and here.

(There is a bit confusion in the report as Layang-Layong Hut is before KM4.0, while Villosa Shelter is located just about KM4.7)

Photographs below show the trail conditions near KM4.7.


The trail can be slippery.


Reaching Villosa Shelter.


Viktoria Paulsen (Updated on 13/2/2014)
On 10 feb 2014, a 22 year-old German student, Viktoria Paulsen, fell from Low's peak and died. Low's peak is the highest point of Mount Kinabalu. This was the first incident of someone falls from the peak.

It was reported that she fell down a 30m steep slope after stepping beyond safety railing (or rope fence) and onto an area of loose rocks on the summit. There are more reports about the incident here and here.

Safety railing as fence to prevent climbers to get too near to the edge. This photo was taken at the highest point of Low's Peak, Mount Kinabalu

Safety railing at the top of Low's Peak, Mt Kinabalu.

Notice the railing at the summit.
Find out more about Low's Peak and its safety railing.




Our experience: Tips to climb the mountain safely


Due to my own "slipped and fell" experiences during training, I suspect most similar cases were due to altitude sickness, training for fitness or selection of shoes. It is safe to climb this mountain, just follow the rules and be well prepared.


Our safety tips:
  1. Follow the white rope
  2. Walk the path, not out of way
  3. Wear hiking shoes, not badminton shoes
  4. Headlamp for night climb
  5. Don't climb over fence or safety railings. They are there to protect the climbers
  6. Don't leave your last teammate walking alone
  7. Try to reach Laban Rata on time and not too late
  8. Always abide by the rules and regulations. They are there to ensure climbers' safety
  9. Have you trained to be reasonably fit? Are you healthy enough?
  10. Take altitude sickness medicine. Remember to visit pharmacy to buy the pill.
  11. Watch out for bad weather. Don't go against mountain guides if they decided not to climb due to bad weather.
  12. Hire a PERSONAL mountain guide (this is probably overdo, but...)


Bad weather and fogs.


More Resources

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Increase Your Odds to Reach Summit



Not everyone who attempt to climb Mount Kinabalu can reach Low's Peak. There are a few common reasons for the unsuccessful attempts. First, let's look at my statistics at hand.

Reasons of failed attempts

First thing first, failed attempt to summit is not failure. It is merely motivation to try once more.

In year 2010, twenty five of us, colleagues, attempted Mount Kinabalu. We split into 3 groups.

There were 8 of them in Group 1 who attempted the climb in August 2010. Five of them made it to the summit and three did not make it. There were combinations of multiple reasons:
  • No training at all, plus inappropriate shoes (he wore badminton shoes)
  • Altitude sickness, plus a bit of overweight
  • Fitness issue, which disguised as age issue


Our group, 8 of us in Group 2, attempted in September 2010. With the information provided by previous group, seven of us made it to the summit and one did not make it. Reasons being:
  • Altitude sickness
  • Incorrect way of walking uphill (he rushed and stopped and rushed and stopped, instead of walking uphill slowly and consistently.)

In our group, it had shown that AGE is NOT a reason of failing to reach summit. Mr Wong, at the age of 57 were the second person in the group to reach Low's Peak. (Note: I was the the 7th, the last, to reach Low's Peak at 7.30am.)

Group 2. Reaching peak on 19 September 2010.

There were 9 of them in Group 3 attempted in October 2010. Eight of them made it to the summit and one did not make it. There were multiple reasons:
  • Altitude sickness
  • Fitness issues, and 
  • A very bad and demotivating personal mountain guide

The next year, in my second climb, there were seven of us. Three of them decided right before the climb to only  climb up to Laban Rata and will not attempt to reach summit. Out of the remaining four, only three reach the summit. Reasons being:

  • Fitness issue delayed her summit attempt. She reach Sayat Sayat checkpoint a few minutes after the gate closed at 5am. The ranger did not allow her to enter.

We can summarize the above reasons of failed attempt as below:
  • Altitude sickness
  • Lack of training that affects fitness level & walking techniques
On 16 September 2011


Increase your ODDS


Let me start with a story. Zoe, my teammate, joined us for hiking 3 months before the climb. We went to Bukit Gasing at Petaling Jaya. In her first 2 hikes, she had troubles to finish the hike and was suffered along the way. I doubted whether she could really climb Mount Kinabalu.

She did not train a lot. She joined us for our weekly hike at Bukit Gasing, probably less than 10 times before the climb.

On the real climb, she was the first 2 persons reaching Low's Peak. (while I was trailing at far back behind.)

These were a few more measures she took to increase her odds to reach peak comfortably:
  • She hired a personal mountain guide all for herself, despite that there were mountain guides already available for the group! The personal mountain guide would just take care of her, pull her up at steeper area, carry her backpack that contained lunch pack, water bottles, raincoats, etc. (may need extra charge on the weigh, beside charge of mountain guide. Ask first before you ask your mountain guide to carry your backpack, etc.)
  • She stopped at every rest place, pondok, to apply muscle relaxant cream like yoko-yoko on her ankles and knees.
  • She took altitude sickness pills to avoid altitude sickness

She was single minded. She did not try to "prove herself" like most of us who refused to hire a personal mountain guide to help us physically, refused to take "altitude sickness" medication, refused to use muscle relaxant, etc. She was single minded, she just want to reach the peak. That increased her odds, and she did it fabulously.

Other Resources:
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Descend: How to walk downhill?

Most injuries happen during descent, i.e. the downhill walk.

I started training for Mount Kinabalu in early 2010, hiking in a nearby forest reserve hill. In first two rounds of climbing, I slipped and landed on my back twice during the downhill walks. Once, the back of my head hit the ground. I was lucky as my head landed on soft soil.

In my first Mount Kinabalu climb, during the 9km descend from Low's Peak to Headquarter of Kinabalu Park, both my knees suffered severe pain. It was a 2.5 hours downhill walk from summit to Laban Rata and another 7 hours downhill walk from Laban Rata to Headquarter of Kinabalu Park in heavy downpour. With the help of walking stick, I wrongly decided to walk side way to "reduce" the worsening knee pains. The knee pains continued a few weeks after the climb.

I knew I have problem with downhill walk and I started to research on proper downhill walk methods.

Descend from the Peak, after Sayat Sayat checkpoint


How to walk downhill?

I had a good downhill walk in my second climb to Mount Kinabalu. Below are the downhill walking methods.

Walk front way (not side way)
I got a piece of very good advice from my hiking friend, who got the advice from his physiotherapist friend: when we walk downhill, we walk front way (as opposite to back way or side way), walk toward where your toes are pointing. This is especially true when you started to feel pain in your knees. Don't walk side way to "reduce" pain, insist to walk front way downhill.

During the descend of my first climb, I walked side way when I started to have knee pain. Although it seemed to reduce my knee pain at that moment, it actually aggravated it subsequently. It got worse every step I took. I could hardly walk when I reach the foot of the mountain. In my second climb, I stuck to walking front way when I felt knee pain early in the descend downhill walk. The knee pain went off after a while, and I walked downhill without further problem.



Lean slightly forward and don’t land on your heel
During downhill walk, lean forward and land on full sole of feet or land slightly on ball of feet. I used to have the habit of leaning backward and land on heel. This was the reason why I slipped easily during downhill walk. Landing on heel will also create direct impact on your knees that would cause knee pain.

Walk in small stride (and, therefore zigzag)
Walking small stride will avoid slip and knee pain. This means you will probably walk in a zigzag route (still, walk front way, toward where your toes are pointing) as the height of steps in Mount Kinabalu are relatively (or slightly) big.

Change your landing legs frequently
The height of steps of Mt Kinabalu are relatively big. So you will always land on next step with one leg and follow by another leg. Systematically and frequently change your landing leg. You may land with your left leg 5 steps downhill and land with your right leg the next 5 steps downhill. The mountain guide praised my uncle who adopted this method of walking.

Shoes matter, but branded shoes don’t matter

  • Wear a pair of snug fit shoes. Tighten shoelaces when walking downhill. This is to protect your toes.
  • Wear a pair of shoes with good grip. I like Adidas Kampung. In fact, I wore Adidas Kampung for my entire second climb of Mount Kinabalu and I plan to wear it for my numerous future climbs.
  • Branded hiking shoes like Nike or Adidas are good, but not as good as Adidas Kampung. When I wear my Adidas or Nike shoes with thick cushion, I tend to land on my heels and that hurts my knees. Moreover, the grip of these branded shoes is not as good as that cheap rubber shoes called Adidas Kampung.


Walking pole
It is really helpful to have a walking pole or walking stick while walking downhill. You can put some of your body weight on the pole and lessen the burden on your legs.

Trim your toenails
During the downhill walk, my friend who forgot to trim his long toenails had one of his toenails broken and flipped up. It was really really painful.


More resources and links on Walking Downhill

About.com on How to Walk Downhill?
Live for the outdoor's The Best Way to Walk Downhill
Mountaineering and mountain survival on Mountain Walking Techniques
My rain forest adventure on Adidas Kampung shoes
Outdoor-gear-malaysia.com on Adidas Kampung shoes
My site on Adidas Kampung and other branded shoes

The view of walking downhill.


More

To prepare for uphill walk, read here.
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Climbing Mt Kinabalu website On Mobile Phone

You can now browse this website using your iphone or adroid phone as long as there is mobile web browser.
From my testing, both Apple's Safari browser or Opera Mini work perfectly well.

Here are some screen shots using Safari browser from my iPhone. Try it using your smart phone.



Here are some screen shots using Opera Mini.




The actual screen on my iPhone is much clearer than the photos above.
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Getting There: Kinabalu Park Reception Office

Kinabalu Park Office and its Head Quarter located approximately 90 km away from Kota Kinabalu International Airport. From Kota Kinabalu city, you can rent a car or get a taxi to go Kinabalu Park. The journey takes less than 2 hours.

For a group of 6 -8 persons you can hire a van with driver to take your group from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kinabalu Park Office, where you register your attendance for the climb (** Important: you need to book your place to climb earlier before you come). The cost to hire a van big enough to fetch 6-8 persons (and luggage) in a group ranged between RM450 to RM500, it includes trip from Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kinabalu Park Office AND the return trip from Kinabalu Park Office to Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Cost per person for such "return trip" (to and fro) transport van from KK International Airport to Kinabalu Park is only less than RM70 per person if you go in a group.

If you are going in a smaller group, i.e. 2-3 persons, hiring taxi is a solution. And I think it should only be a bit more expensive than the above.


View Larger Map

In our previous trips, we hired vans from the two car rental companies listed below. Frankly, I don't know them well. It is just that we had used their transport service of return trip transport to Kinabalu Park from KKIA.

First,
Bimaz Tours & Travel And Rent-A-Car Sdn Bhd (Co.625562-P) KPL/LN:3958 MATTA No.2904
Kota Kinabalu Sabah
Tel : (+6) 088 767214 | Fax : (+6) 088 766214
Second,
Syarikat Gunung Kinabalu
Contact person: Charles Kong
Tel : (+6) 088 492 535
Mobile : (+6) 012 869 7677 | (+6) 016 552 7177
Email : kcydavid@yahoo.com
One more,
We had not used their service before, but we add the info here purely based on goodwill and suggestion.
GBMS Management Services
Contact person: Hani NJ (and her blog)
Tel : (+6) 088 760 521
Mobile : (+6) 014 658 7181
Email : gbms.centre@gmail.com; hani_nj@yahoo.com.sg



Upon arriving at Kinabalu Park Head Quarter, you need to register your attendance at Reception Office. The receptionists will brief you about accommodation and meals arrangements and pass you your hostel room keys. You will be informed of a 6pm climbing briefing.

You will need to walk next door to Transport Office to arrange for tomorrow transport (it is a van) from Kinabalu Park Reception Office to Timpohon Gate or Mesilau Gate (depends on your choice of trail). This transport cost is NOT included in the price that you paid to Sutera Sanctuary Lodges for the climbing package. You can buy a good hiking pole here.

Again, you need to walk next door to Operations Office to confirm the names of your climbing team members and mountain guide arrangement. You also confirm if you and your team members want certificates.

All transport within Kinabalu Park Head Quarter, i.e. from your hostel to office, from your hostel to Balsam Buffet Restaurant, etc. are free. You just need to call Reception Office, which open 24 hours 7 days a week, for transport.

To the right is the door to Reception Office. To the left is the door to Transport Office.



After her short briefing on accommodation to a group of us, she asked, "Do you have any question?"
I could not resist and said, "Yes."
"Yes?" she nodded.
I asked, "Can I take a photo of you?"
Everyone laughed. She graciously said yes. So this is the photo.

You can find a bit more information at the mountain operator's, i.e. Sutera Sanctuary Lodges/ Sutera Habour, website here.

This is the Reception Office location at Google Maps.

More Resources
You can read more about flights and road transports.
You can read more about public transports to and back from Kinabalu Park at Lonely Planet's website.
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Panar Laban Huts: Accommodation at Laban Rata

Panar Laban Huts (3,314.3 meters above sea level) located at approximately 200 meters away from Laban Rata Rest House. It is a short distance uphill walk. If you are allocated to stay in Panar Laban, after reaching Laban Rata Rest House, you will go to the Reception counter to get your keys and towels.

Panar Laban Huts are made of two huts. There are 4 beds in each hut. Both huts come with attached pantry with basic cooking facilities. You can boil water for tea or to cook instant noodle. Hot water is useful here as the bathroom has no hot water and you have to walk 20 meter away to the bathroom. The water is very cold here. I poured hot water to my towel. Then I wiped my body with the hot wet towel, instead of bathing.

Panar Laban Huts


The toilets and bathrooms at Panar Laban. It is reasonably clean, but don't hope for 3 stars.
The cozy beds in Panar Laban Hut

These are the pro and con staying at Panar Laban instead of Laban Rata Rest House.

Pro
1. You have full control of electricity (Those who stay in Laban Rata Rest House has no control over the switches of electricity.)
2. Fantastic views
3. Attached pantry. You can boil hot water and have instant noodle.

Con
1. Need to walk downhill to Laban Rata Rest House for buffet meals.
2. Need to walk outside to go toilet.



Though it is not heated, from my experience, the temperature in the hut is not cold. There is sufficient warm blankets in the hut. You can find more information about accommodation at Laban Rata, Panar Laban, Gunting Lagadan, Waras Hut, etc. at this website.


The view at Panar Laban is beautiful. The building at the bottom left of the photo is Laban Rata.
Mountain at the back of Panar Laban Huts.

Mountain at the back of Panar Laban Huts.


When you make your booking, remember to confirm with the receptionist your preferred accommodation, i.e. Laban Rata Rest House, Panar Laban, Gunting Lagadan, Waras Hut, etc.

More Resources

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