More Kinabalu Stuff
Some things I felt about Kinabalu as I trekked up - Mount Kinabalu is very commercialised (and I think a lot of livelihoods in Sabah depend on it). The trail is very obvious and the technical difficulty of the climb is minimal, much less technical than even treks like Berkelah Waterfalls or Lombong Waterfalls, or Mount Ophir! Basically, there were just steps and more steps and more steps!
The route from Timpohon Gate to Laban Rata Resthouse is just like 2000 meters of steps! If you can climb Bukit Timah Hill 12 times at one go, then you can trek up to Laban Rata! (minus the altitude sickness thing).
Here is what it looks like.
I took 5 hours and 30 minutes to get to Laban Rata - which I think is pretty slow. Hehe… But with my minimal training, I guess I am satisfied that I reached anyway.
From Laban Rata onwards, however, the trail changed a lot. For the first one kilometer or so, there were steps, some parts even had real wooden steps build for climbers, and even though we were trekking up at 2am, it was easy. The last 2 hours, however, were barren rock surface. There was a rope laid on the ground to lead the way all the way up to the summit, and all you have to do is just to follow the rope.
That surface would have been so much easy if it weren’t 3500m above sea level, but when I was there at 4am in the morning, I really needed to catch my breath every ten small steps I took. Its quite a challenge, especially, knowing that you need to reach up the peak before 6am to catch the sunrise.
According to our guide, Laban Rata resthouse is full every single day! And that means approximately 80 climbers (including the other huts) trek up Mount Kinabalu every single day! Wow! That a huge number to be squeezing up Low’s Peak. Hehe. 
And its true - I hardly had a place to stand when I was at the peak!
Tags: kinabalu
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July 6th, 2006 at 7:44 pm
Visit Ruhaizad Daud
Congratulations, Ann! I know you can make it! Isn’t Mount Kinabalu worth a climb? Thanks for your comment on my weblog about Google Earth. I can see that you really enjoy your trip.
Anyway, Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon is coming this 1st November. Would you like to come, as a spectator or better still, as a participant?;-)
July 6th, 2006 at 8:55 pm
Visit Kian Ann
Haha… Thanks for your invitation. I would love to go again in November. Unfortunately, November period is my examinations in school… maybe next year, after I graduate!
July 7th, 2006 at 9:37 pm
Visit Steven
Hi kian Ann,
I am glad too you have made it… “walk” up to the peak of Mt. Kinabalu.
What you said it is true, many people make a living depends on Mt. Kinabalu. It become a very heavy commercial tourist spot. I guess most of the famous tourist spot worldwide do have the same story.
I am fr KK fr personally I haven’t “walk” up to the peak yet.. I always admire my friend who made it… probably I will made it once in my life at least.
How your trip in KK? Look like you spend many days there, don’t you?
Steven
July 7th, 2006 at 10:10 pm
Visit Kian Ann
Hi Steven!
Yes I spent a total of 10 days there in Sabah! I will probably be going to Kota Kinabalu again in the next two months, not to climb Mount Kinabalu again… this time to the Kinabatangan River for a Safari!
If I go there, we’ll see how we can meet up okay?
Cheers!
July 10th, 2006 at 3:41 pm
Visit Angie
HiHi,
The pictures were Great!! I didn’t climb the mountain tho… ;(
And i probably will in my next visit!
Cheers!
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Visit Chan Joon Yee
You can try the Mesilau Trail the next time. You approach from Mesilau Resort to the mountain’s east. There are much fewer trekkers on this trail. You’ll see more waterfalls and pitcher plants. If the weather is good, the view is good at a few spots. This trail joins the conventional trail somewhere near Layang Layang. It adds about 3 hours to your timing on the conventional trail.