Mountain climbing for beginners (and not only): Mount Kinabalu, Borneo

by dalia4world
f you dream of climbing up to 4km height, don’t want to waste time and money on preparation nor use any equipment, and you look for something hard but enjoyable – start at Kinabalu. Though there are options for more advanced climbers. I am one of beginners, and my article will prepare you for your first real climb!
If you are an experienced climber, go for a Climbatron and make it in 3 hours instead of 2 days. If you are a passionate rock climber, try Via Ferrata. I will share my experience as a virgin climber.

Facts
Where: Borneo, Malaysia, entry town: Kota Kinabalu, around 2h by bus. Take a flight from Singapore or Kuala Lumpur with Tiger Airways, Air Asia, Malaysian Airlines, and possibly more. There is an indirect boat from Brunei.

What: 4.1 km peak surrounded by Mount Kinabalu national park, very organized and very far away from the wild, but the views are rewarding, the workout will leave you not able to walk for a week, and the views on top reward for everything. It may be very hard close to the top, but just go forward until you can shout, “I did it!!!!”.
Routes: Mesilau and Timphoron. The first one is less popular, the route will be empty, more rustic, and with nicer views. Sleeping down at Mesilau is pricey. The second one is very popular, if you are alone, you will always find company. The route is crowded, and you don’t see anything but the forest most of the time. Later both routes meet at Layang Layang (meaning kite), and everyone sleeps at Laban Rata huts. Camping not allowed.
Time to climb: 2 days, starting around 9 in the morning, 4-6 hours on the way up, resting, lots of food, meeting people, sleeping in a hut on the way at around 3.4 km hight, starting next day 2 am, back in the hut 8 am, breakfast, and 3-4 hours down. You can do it in 1 day if you are fast and strong, and if you were too late to book accommodation. Really do not recommend.
Costs: Always going up. In the beginning of 2009, the cheapest accommodation was 320 RM including plenty of meals for both days, park entry 15 RM, permission to climb 100 RM, compulsory guide around 20 RM if you are in the group of 5-6. Accommodation for the night before available for 20 RM at Rose Cabin 2km away from the park.
Preparation
Things to take
Please believe that you DO need good windproof, waterproof clothes. If it happens to rain, without proper attire you will miserable up there. Even if you think you can do without something, take it anyway. You will say thank you to me when you are up there. The temperatures drop down to 0, but the worst is rain and wind before the sunrise.
You need:
• Good skiing gloves. You will have to hold onto the rope, and it is very likely to be wet. Without proper gloves, your fingers will get numb. Without any gloves, you cannot go.
• Head flash light. You can go with a simple on as I did, if you always have someone next to you that can light your way. But don’t rely on that, have your own. You will need to hold onto the rope with both hands, dragging yourself up.
• Windproof jacket.
• Fleece or skiing hat. At least some hat is absolutely necessary.
• Warm sweater.
• Waterproof shoes with a good grip, as you will be going on possibly wet rocks for 5+ hours both ways. – Chocolate and energy bars for the times you feel miserable. Not necessary, but good to keep your spirit up.
• I heard stories of people being mountain sick, throwing up and having headaches. In our group everyone was fine, the altitude is not that high. Spend one day in the park before the climb at 1.8km, and you should be fine. Take some pills from headache and stomach sickness just in case.
Booking
Book accommodation months in advance, especially if you climb on weekend or during a holiday season. You can book with an agency just a few days before, if you are ready to pay more. If you are alone – no problem, you will find someone to join.
Exercise
Daily jogging and using stairs instead of elevator should be enough. Try to run up and down the hill, and the climb will be a breeze. Just kidding. It will be hard anyway, but at least the first day will be almost like a walk in the park.
So how is it like?

Fun and enjoyable. Hard at the end, and something to be proud about. I stayed a day before down at the park, hiking a little. Slept in Rose Cabin, and 8 am on the climbing day was already at the park office looking for company. I met two amazing couples from KL, and spent the other 2 days with them.
We took loads of pictures on the way up, took it easy, stopped at the rest places, laughed, enjoyed the views closer to Laban Rata. Only the last hour became harder, feeling a bit dizzy from tiredness. Once in the hut, it was fine, we had snacks and later an excellent buffet dinner. At 9pm already in beds trying to rest before the next day. Getting up 1.15, dress up, have hearty breakfast, and then wait until it stops raining. At 3 am it got a little better and off we went.
The first part of the road was deceiving, really hot and walk. But then, the rocks and the rope started, and that was for more than 2 hours until the end. I went faster and lost my group, joining other groups on the way. Some people turned back, but if you are focused enough, you will make it. It wasn’t lack of air or a hard exercise, it was more the darkness, rain, cold, and the fact that you have to rely on the rope. We reached the peak after sunrise, but everything was in the cloud. Only half an hour later it cleared up, the numb fingers and toes started recovering, and amazing views appeared.
Going down was much easier, though, at times, we were amazed that we made it up. Sore knees and muscles for a week after, but it was more than worth it. Now, hungry for more – checking this list of the best mountains to climb.
If you are already in Malaysia and in love with the nature, you can try out jungle trekking, too.

Source:
http://www.bukisa.com/articles/110236_mountain-climbing-for-beginners-and-not-only-mount-kinabalu-borneo

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