Blog on the Experience of Climbing Mt Kinabalu

If you can read Bahasa Malaysia (Malaysia Language), I highly recommend this blog post "Gunung Kinabalu Trip 2013" by a lady Marathon runner and blogger called @NANNOOR.

Based on the blog,
  • this was her third times to climb Mount Kinabalu. (So she is experienced)
  • the group followed Mesilau trail (which I had not tried before and therefore had not written before in this blog)
  • she and her husband are Marathon runners, both are fit. In fact, the people in the Group (with kids) all seemed fit during the climb




It is written in Malaysia Language in three parts and it is entertaining:


Mesilau trail is 2 kilometers more than Timpohon trail. It took her 7 hour 25 minutes to reach Laban Rata from Mesilau Gate. The trail is more scenic than the Timpohon trail with more variations in terms of scenery, i.e. forest, rocks face, cliffs, etc.


My own photo in climbing to Low's Peak.
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Descending right after Sayat Sayat checkpoint

Step-by-Step Terrain of Mount Kinabalu:

The scenery gets very beautiful and more vegetation after Sayat Sayat check point. I love the blue sky and the sunshine on the mountain. It is also the stretch where we need to be more careful and hold the rope while climbing down. Check out the photographs below.






I love the blue sky of these two photo. How can I not adding them here? :-)

After leaving Sayat Sayat. Looking backward.

Looking upward after leaving Sayat Sayat Check Point.

On our way going down to Laban Rata. This is the stretch right after Sayat Sayat checkpoint.This is the only part of the climbing trail that requires holding rope.

I tried to get another nearer shot but my flash compact card was fulled at the crucial moment.


Just walked pass Sayat Sayat checkpoint.

 Some climbers slowed down at this part.
It cannot be fast. We had to go down slowly. 




When we climbed up the night before, pulling the rope, we could not see the beautiful panorama scenery due to darkness.

It is not difficult. Just need to be careful. You can see Laban Rata resthouse from here.

We just had to be patient of the speed. It was perfect for me, I just kept taking photo shots.



My two uncles. They are both fitter than me. Larry (left) is Hash House Harriers runner and Dr Loo (right) has been slowing down for me to catch up with him.

This blogger from Philippines, Joanna of www.thebratpacker.com, has very good photos and series of photos on the descent journey right after Sayat Sayat. She is a good writer and has awesome photos.

Step-by-Step Terrain of Mount Kinabalu:

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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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Night Hike To Summit Before Sayat Sayat 6.0km to 7.0km (2)

Step-by-Step Terrain of Mount Kinabalu:

The steepness (slope) of 6KM to 7KM is 0.28 (Vertical 383 meter and horizontal 924 meter) which is much easier as compared to the 0.41 slope of 7KM to 8KM.

However, this stretch of trail is tiring and "difficult" for a few reasons:

  • the climb is in the middle of night at our usual sleeping hours, i.e. 2am - 5am.
  • part of this stretch of trail, approximately 50 meters, requires the climbers to walk on a ledge in the dark and later hold to a white rope to pull themselves up
  • lacking oxygen, 7KM is at 3,653 meters or 11,985 ft above sea level
  • it is cold, our clothes is thick and we are sweating
  • it is dark, we need to get use to the torch lights visually




Walking on a ledge. Don't worry, it is safe.




Pull yourself up.

After the difficult part, take a rest.


Step-by-Step Terrain of Mount Kinabalu:


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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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