Climbing Mount Kinabalu

Information for anyone whose thinking of climbing mount kinabalu on the outskirts of kota kinabalu in sabah, east malaysia.

If you are planning on climbing the mountain its sometimes best to book things in advance and booking a room in the sutera santuary lodges (a government related company) at kota kinabalu (KK) is easy enough. There are a variety of accommodation options available at the national park - headquarters (i.e. where the mountain is). The guys at the office in KK might limit your options for accommodation by saying the hostels are been renovated, refurbished, unavailable... now consdiering ther have two hostel that cost RM12 a night which most backpackers would be interested in, you'd think they'd renovate one and keep one opened, as demand for the cheaper accommodation is likely to be highly in comparison to that of the more expensive accommodation? The next option up if you cant get a room in one of the hostels will cost RM92, a lot of difference. If sutera in KK say there is no rooms available for RM12 only the RM92 are available - when they said it to us they were lying, and people in our hostel said they were told the same thing. In short the best thing to do id make your way there and sort it out when you get there, for information there are other accommodations outside of the park which are cheaper than the RM92 option.

Remember that you need to book 2 different accommodations, one for when you are at the park and one for when you at half way up the mountain, unless you want to do it in one go.

The journey from KK to the national park (Mount Kinabalu) took about 2 hours up windy hilly roads. The rooms are pretty basic at the park headquarters, but be perpared to pay for things... it would feel like being fleeced.

I'm thinking about doing this X. Thanks for the information.

How difficult of a climb is it?

E

I've been there twice , the last time was last year around June...we met an extraordinary strong wing, which the local guide said it only happens twice or 3 times per year..so take note. First time been there was 2002 during my university in Sabah...it's raining and damn cool but managed to reach the peak. Remember not to leave any valuable things before you start your journey up the peak (4101m).
When you get down from the mount, don't forget to take a stroll at Kinabalu Park...i don't think the world's biggest flower is easy to be tracked during this rainy season...October would be nice then...

There are 2 ways of going up to the half of the mount - 1) by Timpohon and 2) ...( i forgot the name)...for those who prefer longer routes pls take the 2nd choice as you'll see something you couldn't see as if you take the Timpohon trail! Make sure your step is rather slow and miss some of the landscapes which normally do not showed in brochures!!!

You can get free water at the hostel/chalet and I won't forget the experience of getting myself in shower while in the early morning!!!
The cheapest food there would be Nasi Lemak which cost about RM/MYR: 8.50 (if I am not mistaken).

For those who can reach the peak, you'll get 2 certificates and 1 for those who only managed to get up onto the half way...RM/MYR10 for certs.

There's a very very extremely small petite so-called museum around the kinabalu park, take your time and don't forget to get a cup of hot coffee or teh tarik or taste the sizzling fish chop! There's a restaurant under trees canopies possess the best view for taking the photo...be patient coz you'll find the clouds are competing with you to cover the scene of the mountain!!!

There's a small room for keeping your bags or backpacks in the tourist information centre...but PLS DO NOT LEAVE YOUR VALUABLE THINGS SUCH AS CAMERA OR HANDYCAM, PURSE ...

And before the guide brings you up the mount, he would warn you not to say something evil while you are there coz they believe some sirits might lead you to somewhere else...( a case happened in 2002/03 where a UK young girl lost there and found dead bcoz of cold after weeks...so take note! Respect the power of nature) Bargain with the tour guide while you can, best if you can form a group and force him to cut the budget...

Anything about malaysia can refer me.

Hope that's help!

Lee

Thanks Lee,

That's really helpful

E

Excellent work Lee.

How tough is the climb? I'm often told it's really easy? Is it really? Anyone have any cautionary tales?

Yen

The climb commences from Timpohon is easy and i would say it's too 'user-friendly'. But this depends on the level of fitness of every climbers...wait a minute...did I say "climb"? Mount Kinabalu, for me doesn't apply for climb...lifting yout feet from well-'carved' stepcase is minimizing your difficulty, right? Ropes would be applied after the next morning...every climbers ought to wake up early (3-5am)...please pray that the rain woon't be coming especially the strong wind...(with more than 100km/h during my 2nd climb!)

Another precaution is, get a stick, of course 'the tough armed with power of stability one'..if you didn't have any stick with you from the beginning...you 'can' purchase one up the hostel with RM/MYR 5- 15 each!!! For experienced climbers...no sticks please.

Upon the sea-level 1000-2000m, you can easily touch the clouds and steps them within you and sniff them while you can!!! Watch the plants as you may find some small surprises...I would not tell you here...hehehe...

Lee

Hi,

My friends and I are planning to hike Mt. KK sometime mid next year, and was wondering if it is a must to join group that lead by tour guide. If not, what are our best options?

Thanks!
Karen

Hi.
I plan to do short climbing on Mt Kinabalu with a bunch of frens (20 of us) in Sept. Browsed through the Sutera Sanctuary Logde url http://www.suterasanctuarylodges.com.my/p2.htm

I would like to ask what would be the hassle if we just hired the guide rather taking the 2D1N package offers?
Plus I can't find the section of where RM12 per nite stay in the url. Could some pls advisd?

THanks in advanced

xeno