But climbing Mt. Kinabalu is not an impossible achievement. Mt. Kinabalu is one of Sabah’s main attractions, together with the World Heritage Site that is Kinabalu Park. Every year, thousands of climbers will climb Mt. Kinabalu, which touches the heavens at 4,095m. Most of those who attempt to climb Mt. Kinabalu succeed. All that is needed is a little preparation and a lot of determination, and you too can climb Mt. Kinabalu.
The starting point to the summit trail of Mt. Kinabalu is Kinabalu Park Headquarters, located some 1,500m above sea level. Kinabalu Park is roughly 2 hours drive from Kota Kinabalu and is on an easy, if steep, winding path that will bring you to the start of your summit attempt. Many people ask if they should arrange things in advance, and the answer is “yes, you should”.
If you arrange nothing else, you should at least have accommodation at Laban Rata, a collective name for the resting area at about 3300m, where climbers usually arrive early evening and wait until early the next morning to take on the final few kilometers to the summit. If you time it right, leaving at about 2am, depending on your pace, you will be at the top, at Low’s Peak, just in time for sunrise; one of he most unique places on earth from where to see the day break.
Laban Rata, consists of dorm-type accommodation and cluster units and is managed by Sutera Sanctuary Lodges, which is part of Sutera Harbour Resort. Getting accommodation at Laban Rata can be a bit tricky as you can only book 6 months in advance, and usually even that far in advance, bed-nights tends to be quickly snapped up by tour operators who package the accommodation together with tours and other transfers.
Therefore, if you have no luck finding availability for your climb of Mt. Kinabalu through Sutera Sanctuary Lodges directly, then going to one of the many tour operators in Kota Kinabalu will likely yield results. Don’t be afraid to barter.
On the other hand, it is often quite possible to pick up last minute cancellations on the day or the day before a climb, however there is no way knowing whether or not something will be available, so this approach is not recommended.
Once you have your accommodation sorted, the rest is relatively easy. On the day of your climb, at the park entrance, you need to check-in at the Sutera Sanctuary Lodges reception desk. Here you will pay for your accommodation, after which you will take the receipt to another window in the reception area where Sabah Parks will issue your climbing permit, insurance and assign you a guide. You are then almost ready to start.
After a short bus ride up a steep slope, you are dropped off at the Timpohon Gate, officially the starting point (and end point) of your climb of Mt. Kinabalu, located at 1,563m. After this, a mere 8.7km lie between you in the summit of Mt. Kinabalu. The rest, is up to you.
At Laban Rata there are various units that can accommodate you:
In total there are roughly 140 beds at Laban Rata, of which Laban Rata Rest House is most popular, because it’s a) where the food is, and b) it has both hot showers and heated rooms, making for a comfortable rest area for your precious rest stop before your final assault on the summit of Mt. Kinabalu.
In lieu of space at Laban Rata Resthouse, do ask for alternative accommodations, as if you’re traveling from far and have to climb the mountain on a certain day, then anything will do. All the accommodations are not too far from Laban Rata Rest House and will thus serve the purpose.
If you feel like you’ll need extra insulation, or if you’re not as prepared as you should be, you can obtain the following items from the Sutera Sanctuary Lodges Reception Desk at Laban Rata Rest House (prices are 2007, will update soon with 2008):
You’ll find a list of suggested items below – think carefully about what else you would like to take up. For seriously bulky items that you don’t even want to climb with, there is a left-luggage facility at Kinabalu Park Headquarters. In order for you to take up only the barest of essentials to the summit, you can either leave your stuff in your room at Laban Rata, or you can leave it at the Reception Desk.
Here’s the list:
All reasonable care have been taken to ensure the amounts references in this post is correct, but prices can change without notice (in fact, they have already, will update soon).
Wednesday nights, predictably from 9pm to late, are one of few nights where you can bank on some action and entertainment. At The Office Pub in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Wednesday nights are Quiz Nights, the only Pub Quiz in Kota Kinabalu, and with a regular following of fans, you can be sure to expect some stiff competition.
Bring along your friends to make up a team of 4 to 6 people and pit your wit against the best of the pub. Anybody can enter a team and any team can win one of 3 Quiz Rounds or the Music Knowledge Round. The winning team in any of the Quiz Rounds will win a bucket of beer or whatever variation on the theme rules the week.
The rules are simple. In order to enter each team must:
Yes, it’s that simple. So, bring along your general knowledge and see you at The Office Pub, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, this Wednesday!
