Clim the Giant Kinabalu

About Mount kinabalu

Mount Kinabalu’s specialty lies in its location at a renowned World Heritage Site—Kinabalu Park. Nature lovers will be delighted to be able to witness the many variations of flora and fauna that are to be found on the mountain at different altitudes.

Mount Kinabalu, along with other upland areas of the Crocker Range is well-known worldwide for its tremendous botanical and biological species biodiversity with plants of Himalayan, Australasian, and Indo-Malayan origin.

A recent botanical survey of the mountain estimated a staggering 5,000 to 6,000 plant species (excluding mosses and liverworts but including ferns), which is more than all of Europe and North America (excluding tropical regions of Mexico) combined. It is therefore one of the world’s most important biological sites.

Standing majestically at 4,095m (13,435 feet above sea level), Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea. Mount Kinabalu derives its name from the Kadazan word, ‘Aki Nabalu’, meaning ‘the revered place of the dead’. It is one of the safest and most conquerable peaks in the world—provided that you’re reasonably healthy and physically fit.

Climbing Mount Kinabalu was the highlight of my trip to Borneo. It was tough but it was worth each and every step towards the summit. I loved the way the scenery changed every few hundred meters and the sense of achievement when we reached the top was unbelievable. Watching the sunrise from above the clouds really does make you feel like you’re on top of the world.

We began the hike in the morning and reached our accommodation lodge by about 3pm. We had dinner and rested here for the evening before getting up at about 3am to continue the walk to the summit. The reason for the super early start is so you reach the summit in time for the sunrise when you have the best chance for clear skies and amazing views.

Equipment for climbing Mount Kinabalu

If you’re fit and healthy, you only need the basic equipment for climbing Mount Kinabalu.

·         A small rucksack – keep the total weight to about 6kg

·         A waterproof jacket – Make sure it’s the small type that folds up into a little bag

·         A head torch – You’ll need this for the morning when you hike in the dark

·         Water bottles – You can refill these along the way

·         High energy snacks

·         A packed lunch

·         Blister plasters – just in case

·         A few pairs of thick socks

·         Clean underwear and t-shirt for the following day

·         A small amount of money for food

·         Basic toiletries and medicine – particularly pain killers

·         Warm hat

·         Sunglasses – if you’re lucky

·         Sunblock

·         Camera

Don’t forget that Kota Kinabalu is home to loads of outdoor and hiking shops where you can pick up everything you need. I’m mostly saying this for anyone travelling to other destinations before they reach Borneo. I’d been travelling for 18 months by the time I got to Borneo and didn’t have any warm clothes, a day pack or even a torch. I found it all for a bargain price in Kota Kinabalu.

Some people will say a good set of hiking boots are necessary but I think it’s personal preference. It is possible to do it in comfortable trainers but hiking boots are obviously great for keeping your feet dry and the extra grip and support.

Take your time

Slow and steady certainly wins the race when it comes to ascending this mountain, especially given some of the slippery conditions you’re sure to encounter. Take it slow and watch your footing, the last thing you need is an injury to put you out of the game.

During your ascent try not to rest for long periods, keeping your breaks at around five minutes so your body doesn’t have time to cool down. Walking in zigzags is considered safer as you descend, helping to reduce joint pains and the chances of slipping.

Leave no trace

With an increase in visitors to the mountain, the risk of damaging the purity and beauty of Mount Kinabalu continues to grow, so it is essential to extend your respect for the area as far as humanly possible. Make sure you dispose of your waste properly, most notably with the ‘pack it in, pack it out’ philosophy. You should also leave behind what you find during the climb, so that means no souvenir rocks – they’ll only weigh you down as you climb anyway.

Post-climb recovery

It is highly likely that you’ll be feeling rather tired and achy after your successful climb and descent of Mount Kinabalu, and while the typical instinct is to instantly hit the hay, a post-climb trip to the wonderful Poring Hot Springs is the only antidote you’ll need. Soak yourself in the bubbling warmth enjoyed in the rock pools and relax your aching muscles and creaking joints. It’s the perfect way to end your climb.