Mt. Kinabalu Expedition 2012 – Travel Report

Mt. Kinabalu is located in the City of Kota Kinabalu, Province of Sabah Borneo in Malaysia. It is Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site as declared by UNESCO and it also happens to be Southeast Asia’s highest summit at 4,095 masl (meters above sea level). With the influx of mountain climbers visiting this mountain everyday due to its tranquil trails, it has become widely known as Asia’s most popular hiking destination.

I personally climbed this mountain last May 22-23, 2012 with a good friend Councilor Oliver Enot via the Timpohon-Summit-Timpohon route. We made our reservation through the Sutera Sanctuary lodges which is one of the easiest accesses to scaling Mt. Kinabalu. We paid the entire climb package of at least PhP 11,000.00 excluding airfares from Davao to Manila and Manila to Kota Kinabalu.

Low's Peak - the highest point

Aside from enjoying the climb, I also considered the climb as a way to gather ecotourism benchmarks and have it all archived for reference and replication in the Philippine setting particularly in Mt. Apo where I am handling the trekking program. I am pleased therefore, to take note some of the strategies employed by their concerned authorities especially in the aspects of bookings and reservations, designation of tour guides and porters,  trail maintenance and management, among others.

Registration

Kinabalu Park Headquarters

Climbing Mt. Kinabalu requires an early booking of at least 4 months before the actual climb and should be fully paid 2 months before; otherwise you will be refused due to full bookings in the Laban Rata dormitory. The package cost is inclusive of Permit Fee, Climbing Insurance, Buffet Meals for the entire climb and accommodation at Kinabalu Park Headquarters and Laban Rata dormitory. Mandatory fees not included in the package are guide fee, transportation from the headquarters to Timpohon Gate (jumpoff point) and Certificate of Climb.

Climb Proper

The journey of conquering Mt. Kinabalu begins at Timpohon Gate (1,866 meters). Altitides range from 1,981 at the first rest stop to over 4,000 meters at the peak. The climb can be challenging and strenuous. What’s good about this mountain is that unlike any Philippine mountains, one will no longer bring a tent, sleeping bags, cooking set and camping stove because this will be provided by Sutera through its mountain lodges and restaurant.

Start of Trekking from Timpohon Gate

From Timpohon Gate to Laban Rata took us 4 hours while the ascent to the summit was a chilling 3-hour climb which started at Laban Rata in a very early 2:00 AM dawn. There were a total of seven designated stopovers along the trail before reaching Laban Rata, all equipped with potable water systems and climbers’ huts. The huts also serve as tourist information corners where all details of the climb are posted.

Laban Rata Restaurant and Dormitory

The trail is mostly open and established. There are trail signs along the way starting from Timpohon gate to Low’s Peak (4,095 masl). Ropes are also placed in more risky tracks particularly when ascending from Laban Rata all the way to the summit.  

Flora and Fauna

Mt. Kinabalu park is known for the abundance and diversity of its plant life, within one of the most ancient vegetations in the world. There are over 1,200 species of wild orchids and 40 varieties of oak in its forests, not to mention the countless varieties of rhododendrons with blooms ranging in hue from deep red to pale pink and white. Masses of moss and ferns weigh down the trees of the Montane oak forests of the upper regions. Flowers are to be seen everywhere on the trees, in the shrubs, along the banks on the forest floor and even peeping out of the rocky crevices of the summit. Orchids such as the white necklace orchids are as delicately beautiful as their namesake.

   

Some of Kinabalu Park's Flora and Fauna

The Bornean mountain ground squirrel Dremomys everetti are often spotted scampering about in the scrub vegetation while the mountain tree shrewTupaia montana are easily spotted along the mountain trails. You may even come across a red-necked keelback snake sunning itself along your path. 

The variety of birds ranges over a wide selection and over half of all of Borneo's bird species can be found in the Kinabalu National Park. Amongst them are Mountain Black Eye, Mountain Black Bird, Borneo Bright Eye, Euphrasia borneensis, and the now 'not-so-friendly' nor so easily sighted Friendly Kinabalu Warbler.

The Peaks

The spectacular Low's Gully divides Mount Kinabalu into its Western and Eastern plateaus. There are several trails leading to lesser peaks besides Low's Peak. These are very tough routes and intending climbers must obtain written permission from the Park Authorities for any exploration outside the conventional trails. Experienced guide are compulsory.

St. John Peak

Western Summit Plateau Attractions include South Peak (3,921 metres) and St John's Peak (4,090 metres). Both may be climbed in half a day but are recommended only for more experienced climbers. St John's is particularly tricky. Other major peaks are Ugly Sisters (4,086 metres), Alexandra (3,998 metres) and Victoria (4,090 metres).

The terrain on Western Plateau is rocky but smooth, showing the effects of glaciations. The trail calls for use of ropes to negotiate the challenging climb.

Special Concerns

With Pare Dockie near the South Peak 

Although one of the highest mountains, Mt Kinabalu is one of the easiest peaks in the world to conquer. It takes just two days and climbers don't need any previous experience at mountain climbing. At sunrise, the views from the Mt Kinabalu's summit at Low's Peak are spectacular, making all the effort worthwhile. Anyone with a reasonable level of fitness and the willpower to push through fatigue and discomfort can climb to the summit of Mt Kinabalu. It is achievable and incredibly rewarding.

Special Thanks

Behind my great climb to Mt. Kinabalu are the following persons and agencies that have extended assistance. They are all worthy of my thanks and appreciation.

• PAIC Office
• Sir Andy Ugdoracion of CIBTC
• Department of Tourism XI
• TDEVS Services, Inc.
• Tinikaran Outdoor Shop through Hon. Oliver Enot
• Mr. Bryan Gabañete of White Peak Outdoor Shop
• Engr. Albert Gabriel
• Mr. Danrev Broñola
• Mr. Hardy Joy Desuyo
• Mr. Lito Roque of SAVERS
• LOGSAC Pips