Dr. Mark Nan Tu

Mount Kinabalu (Malay: Gunung Kinabalu) is a prominent mountain on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It is located in the east Malaysian state of Sabah and is protected as Kinabalu National Park, a World Heritage Site.

Its summit, Low’s Peak ist 4,095 metres (13,435 ft) above sea level. It can be climbed through the main climbing route without mountaineering equipment.

Climbers must be accompanied by accredited guides at all times due to national park regulations. There are two main starting points for the climb: the Timpohon Gate (5.5 km from Kinabalu Park Headquarters, at an altitude of 1866 m), and the Mesilau Nature Resort. The two trails meet about two kilometres before Laban Rata.

Accommodation is available inside the park near the headquarters. by Sutera Sanctuary Lodges (also known as Sutera Harbour). Sutera is now requiring hikers stay one night at their lodge near the entrance, in addition to a required stay at Laban Rata. The cost to stay is considerably higher than at lodging just outside the park, and includes a mandatory purchase of meals, etc. The higher price means a good view of the mountain at night. If money is a concern, there are plenty of private lodging just outside the park.

Climbers usually arrive in the afternoon and register at the park heard quarter and stay one night at the foot of the mountain. They get up early the second morning. After get the climbing permit and the guide (porter) at the park head quarter, proceed to the Timpohon gate at 1866 m (6,122 ft), either by minibus (most people) or by walking, and then walk to the Laban Rata Resthouse at 3,270 m (10,728 ft). Most people accomplish this part of the climb in 3 to 6 hours. Since there are no roads, the supplies for the Laban Rata Resthouse are carried by porters, who bring up to 30 kilograms of supplies on their backs. Hot food and beverages, hot showers and heated rooms are available at Laban Rata.

The guest house in Laban Rata provides limited space (booking through Sutera Harbour is a must) to ensure space. The room offers two r double deck beds. Climbers usually get to bed around 8pm and prepare the next day summit push.

Climbers usually wake up at 130am the third day. After a buffet breakfast, they will cover he last 2 km (2600 ft), from the Laban Rata Resthouse at 3,270 m to Low’s Peak (summit) at 4,095.2 m,. They will reach the summit before dawn. The last part of the climb is on naked granite rock..

How to get there:
From Kota Kinabalu bus station, there are mini bus that runs to the Mt. Kinabalu park entrance. The cost is 20 RM. The ride is 1.5 hours with the view of the mountain insight.
After getting down the mountain, you can wait for the passing mini bus at the park entrance to either back to Kota Kinabalu or to Poring Hot Springs. However, the waiting time may be extremely long.
Taxi can be called from park head quarter. It costs 200RM to Kota Kinabalu or 160RM to Poring Hot Springs.
Tips:
You can stay outside the park for the first night. Private lodgings are significantly cheaper than inside the park.
You may also choose to arrive at the Park entrance early in the morning by taking an early bus directly from Kota Kinabalu and start hike right away.
There is a possibility that you can climb up and get down the mountain in one day and saving all the lodging and food costs (very expensive). In good physical condition, one can reach climb the mountain in 4-5 hours and get down in 3 hours. The world record for such an activity is slightly over 2 hours. Wow!