Mount kinabalu

[ruixiang92]

Hi guys,

Plan to travel to kinabalu in July. I have yet to book anything.

Was hoping if any of you have advice on 1) duration 2) bookings.

Is it possible to book when I'm there? How many days would u guys recommend?

 

[beanstalk6]

Climbing or not? http://www.mountkinabalu.com/
You need an advance booking. There is a quota.

 

[ruixiang92]

Climbing or not? http://www.mountkinabalu.com/
You need an advance booking. There is a quota.

Hey, yup I'm climbing!

 

[innerlight10]

Back in 2012 or 2013.... when i did my climb. Below is the ideal schedule i think.

Day 1: take flight in
take arranged transport(1-2hrs to reach) to hostel at the foot of K, buy what you need
while you are in the town area.
check in hostel, i remember by the time we reach it should be late afternoon.
just nice to eat late lunch i think. but
cos nightfall came pretty quickly.

Day 2: check out of hostel early early , take their short distance van or something i can't rem. I think there is breakfast provided. after that, You need to rush to booking office to book your guide/s and porters (if u need ) and weigh your baggage (if you need them to carry it).

Setoff early, you should reach the night resting dorm around 1-5pm, depending on your speed of ascent

Check-in @dorm , eat dinner and sleep by 9-10pm .

Day 3: wake at 12MD or 1am, eat breakfast in 30 mins. and leave by 1.30am with your lightly packed backpack.

reach last checkpoint prior to 5am, else they won't let you up.
reach the top and leave by 7am.

depart and reach dorm around 10am-12noon , check out, eat lunch and depart by 1pm latest

Reach the foot by 5pm -7pm.

Arrange transport (1-2hrs) ride back to town. Stay over 1 nite at the hotel in town.

Day 4 : Eat breakfast and leave to catch your morning flight to SG.



Sorry to be longwinded, recalling it from memory...my KK trip was a horror story and we trek down K in pitch darkness.

 

[belgarathc]

Hi Ruixiang,

1) Standard trips are 4D3N (2D1N trek, 1st and last night in the city).

D1 - Arrival at Kota Kinabalu, overnight in city
D2 - Transfer to Mt Kinabalu, start climb, overnight Laban Rata (Pendant Hut if doing Via Ferrata)
D3 - Climb to summit and back to base, transfer to Kota Kinabalu, overnight in city
D4 - Depart Kota Kinabalu

2) You definitely need to book in advance. Climbing slots on weekends and especially long weekends are taken up months ahead. If you plan to do it in July, start contacting the different tour agencies.

Good fitness is required for climbing Mt Kinabalu.

 

[ruixiang92]

Hi all, thanks for all the information! I have a good idea of the trip and I've made contact with the local guides.

Is there any recommendation on the location we should stay on our first night when we arrive in kinabalu?

 

[AS1]

Take note, the speed for the ascent is similar to endurance to clock 10min or less for 2.4km run. If you are slower, better hope got guide at the rear because more or less climbing in darkness so powerful lights are recommended.

 

[innerlight10]

Take note, the speed for the ascent is similar to endurance to clock 10min or less for 2.4km run. If you are slower, better hope got guide at the rear because more or less climbing in darkness so powerful lights are recommended.

Yah yah... really regret to have tried this climb when i'm so old. Really should have done it in my early twenties. We were complete newbies.

Also if possible have 1 guide for 2-3 pax who are of the same trekking speed. Our mistake was 1 guide to 6 pax and i much pretty hike up the granite section alone in pitch darkness from 2am - 5am . Unfortunately i was in really weak shape that particular time. No one was with me as i got my frens to go up first else they will miss everything, one more fren(who eventually gave up) behind me with the guide . Met some very nice Malaysians and Singaporeans on team building trip who help me up the short vertical climb, i had no arm strength to pull myself up, but i waved them along as well so that i don't keep them off their pace.

Scary...i could have fallen (as there is no personal safety rope) and no one would have known better... Kept seeing distant row of lights going up the granite...

Oh lights, pls invest in very good one hor...we went to beach road market to buy and those went kaput and so weak. Not the type when you(and your life) are hanging on a rope literally at granite slab...

Fitness training is very important for this climb... for city dwellers like us and there's no high mountains or long treks to practice and manage stamina and trekking at altitude. We thought 2-3 weeks, twice a week sessions of climbing 40 storeys would do it...errr, not enough for me and group.

It's a horror trip but i still enjoyed it nonetheless, i would love to redo it proper.

 

[Argiope]

Scary...i could have fallen (as there is no personal safety rope) and no one would have known better... Kept seeing distant row of lights going up the granite...

I feel you. My legs were literally stepping on nothing and i almost rolled down the mountain in the dark. Luckily my friends were still around and they heard me and pulled me up. Despite all these, the sunrise was magnificent.

 

[saffronsatire]

what is the most basic climbing/trekking that one can do? like those for beginners/students? maybe just half to one day type.

looking at the various sites but dunno better. is it unsuitable if there people who have phobia of heights? read below that there vertical climbs in darkness.

not really interested in the packages with other attractions.

 

[Delsamor]

Sounds very poorly maintained and lack of safety features plus need to have commando fitness. Why still climb? I did free climbing in a forested place in Thailand. if fall down, better to die than alive because no chopper can make it down to evacuate u. Never in my life I will do such climbing again.

 

[Din0saurus]

what is the most basic climbing/trekking that one can do? like those for beginners/students? maybe just half to one day type.

looking at the various sites but dunno better. is it unsuitable if there people who have phobia of heights? read below that there vertical climbs in darkness.

not really interested in the packages with other attractions.

My friend’s mom walked around Kinabalu park while we went for the summit.

It’s not that hard if you’re physically active. I don’t remember any vertical sections but definitely not a great idea if you have a phobia of heights.

 

[Delsamor]

My friend’s mom walked around Kinabalu park while we went for the summit.

It’s not that hard if you’re physically active. I don’t remember any vertical sections but definitely not a great idea if you have a phobia of heights.

Vertical descent is bery scary...look down also scare, don’t look down also die. I wanted to chicken out, but I see amdl go down, I don’t want to throw face I thank my saf pt shoes and my seasoned pcc finger grip for my survival.

 

[Din0saurus]

Vertical descent is bery scary...look down also scare, don’t look down also die. I wanted to chicken out, but I see amdl go down, I don’t want to throw face I thank my saf pt shoes and my seasoned pcc finger grip for my survival.

I think we have a different definition of vertical.

Where is this climb you’re talking about?

 

[saffronsatire]

I do go to the gym, would say average fitness only. Maybe the trails might be a better idea.

 

[Din0saurus]

I do go to the gym, would say average fitness only. Maybe the trails might be a better idea.

yea. it's not so much about going to the gym but being active outdoors. i believe this is who they went with:

https://www.downbelowadventures.com/product/kinabalu-park-day-trip/

not sure if sabah is worth it if you're not gonna climb kinabalu unless you're gonna dive instead?

 

[Delsamor]

I think we have a different definition of vertical.

Where is this climb you’re talking about?

ONe of the island in Thailand