Your Final Information To Climbing Mt Kinabalu

Mt Kinabalu at a look

• Location: Sabah, Borneo
• Altitude: 4095 metres (13,435 ft)
• Trek period: 2 days, 1 night time
• Size: 18 km (11 miles) return
• Elevation acquire: 2200 metres (7217 ft)
• Allow required: sure
• Mountain information required: sure

The UNESCO-listed Mt Kinabalu is the third-largest island mountain and the twentieth most outstanding peak on the earth. The climb takes two days and one night time spent in dorm-style lodging on the mountain – however extra on that shortly.

What to anticipate

The Mt Kinabalu trek showcases Borneo’s wealthy biodiversity, taking you thru misty rainforest, montane grasslands, desolate rockscapes and alpine meadows. After kilometre 4, search for the carnivorous pitcher plant endemic to Mt Kinabalu and neighbouring Mt Tambuyukon.

Day one begins with a check-in at Timpohon Gate. You’ll ascend an uphill path of steep, rocky steps and tree roots by way of lowland rainforest for about 6 km (approx. 4 to 7 hours) earlier than arriving at Laban Rata Resthouse (3272 metres). The surroundings and sunsets listed below are spectacular. Refuel with a hearty dinner earlier than heading to mattress for an early wake-up name. 

On day two, you’ll get up at 2 am to proceed your trek to the summit for dawn. There are 700 metres of steps to climb earlier than reaching steep granite slopes marked with ladders and ropes. Then, return to the resthouse for a well-deserved breakfast earlier than descending (approx. 4 to six hours). If the climate situations are too harmful, there’s an opportunity the park ranger might shut the summit path.

Are there bathrooms and water stations alongside the path?

There are relaxation stops with flushing bathrooms each kilometre or so to Laban Rata. There are additionally water stations, however because the water is untreated, we advise bringing purification tablets or two litres of water to keep away from an upset tummy. You’ll be able to refill with free boiled ingesting water at Laban Rata.

Do I want a mountain information and porter?

Do I want a allow?

All hikers want a allow to climb Mt Kinabalu. Permits are issued with a lanyard and have to be seen all through the trek. Permits should solely be booked on the Sabah Parks web site. Be cautious of bogus websites, as there have been instances of hikers rocking as much as discover their allow isn’t legit.

Round 160 permits are issued each day for worldwide climbers, and so they promote out quick. If you happen to’re travelling solo, you’ll must plan round eight months forward to safe your spot.

If you happen to’re travelling with Intrepid, they’ll care for permits, lodging and nearly every part else, so there’s no must ebook up to now prematurely. That stated, they’ll want your passport particulars not less than 45 days earlier than departure to request your allow.

What’s the lodging like?

You gained’t be tenting on Mt Kinabalu, however don’t anticipate five-star lodging both. Most hikers keep in Laban Rata Resthouse, which has dorms with bunk beds, mattresses and mattress linen. It’s fundamental however comfy. There are sockets by every mattress, bathrooms and (very) chilly communal showers in case you’re feeling courageous.

Buffet-style meals are served within the eating space – suppose: fried rice, noodles, stir-fries, omelettes, and many others. – and there’s a small store the place you should purchase snacks and smooth drinks (you’ll want money).

The floorboards may be creaky and there’s an opportunity your roomies might snore, so we advocate packing a sleep masks and a pair of stout earplugs to make sure you get some much-needed shut-eye even in case you’re not often a lightweight sleeper.

How match do I should be?

You want a reasonable health stage. There are various, many, many steps, to not point out slippery, rain-soaked rocks and uneven terrain. The second day is extra technical with a steep ascent to the summit – within the pitch darkness – at a 15 to twenty levels incline utilizing ropes that can assist you. When you don’t want any mountain climbing expertise, you do want robust legs, good steadiness and higher physique power to haul your self up.

Descending is probably the most difficult half for many hikers. It’s tremendous intense on the quads and calves, and lots of travellers expertise ‘jelly legs’ – that involuntary wobble in your legs after extended pressure. Some pre-departure stair climbs are a great way to acquaint your muscle tissues with this repetitive motion. A mountaineering pole may also be your greatest pal on the way in which down. I don’t know what I’d’ve accomplished with out it!

Typically, the fitter you might be, the extra you’ll take pleasure in it – though the excessive altitude could make respiration difficult even for the tremendous match.

What to pack for Mt Kinabalu

What to put on can change from hour to hour, by no means thoughts day after day. The local weather is thought to be temperamental. Nights get icy, afternoons are muggy, and rainstorms can sweep in with out discover.

Typically, you wish to put on a number of mild layers to regulate on the fly. On day one, we advise sporting shorts as you’ll begin within the humid rainforest. However pack some lengthy pants for when the temperature drops as you climb. Additionally, don’t overlook a water-resistant jacket or poncho as rain is all the time potential.

Once you get to the resthouse and your physique begins cooling down, you’ll need trousers, a long-sleeved thermal high and thick socks. Nights may be chilly, so a polar fleece or down jacket wouldn’t go amiss.

One other important is an in a single day backpack. You’ll depart your primary bag at your lodge or the nationwide park headquarters, so your in a single day bag needs to be large enough to suit a jacket, change of garments (if wanted), water bottle, snacks, and many others. Attempt to maintain your bag inside 8 kilograms – you’ll kick your self for bringing pointless weight when tackling these steps!

If it is advisable pack extra, take into account hiring a porter.

Listed here are just a few different stuff you may want:

• Waterproof jacket: It rains rather a lot on Kinabalu. Pack a light-weight rain jacket to keep away from getting drenched.
• Waterproof bag cowl or dry bag: For any essential gadgets like your telephone, digicam, and many others.  
• Head torch: For the morning summit hike (which begins in pitch darkness).   
• Water bottle: With a 2-litre capability.  
• Snacks: Any good path combine, chocolate or sugary deal with will do.   
• Mountain climbing boots: Make sure you get a pair that helps your ankles and has good sole tread. Break them in not less than two months earlier than the journey – you don’t need blisters.   
• Blister plasters: Simply in case.   
• Mountain climbing socks: Thick socks (ideally made with a breathable material like merino wool) are important. We advocate becoming a clear pair once you arrive on the guesthouse. 
• Mountain climbing pole: To assist your legs on the way in which down. 
• Earplugs: Lodging on the mountain is dorm-style. That would imply loud night breathing.   
• Layers: Layer up or down relying on the temperature. 
• Cash: You gained’t want a lot, however if you wish to purchase snacks or smooth drinks on the resthouse you’ll want it as they solely settle for money.  
• Waterproof gloves: To guard your arms from rope burn and maintain them heat within the icy air on the summit.  

When is the perfect time to climb Mt Kinabalu?

Borneo sits in the course of a swirling tropical vortex, so it’s all the time raining someplace. Sabah has two seasons – moist and drier – with the driest interval often from March to September. It’ll nonetheless be scorching, however the skies are (principally) clear and also you’ve acquired a greater likelihood of seeing that dreamy marmalade dawn.