Finally! The day of the adventure!
We all woke up dazed, wondering for a moment where we are. Then excitement, nervousness and anticipation sink in!
Yes, today is the day!.
A sumptuous breakfast should be the way to start this day. But to our disappointment, there were only two loaves of stale-looking bread and some butter. There was a toaster somewhere at the balcony but we were too upset with our breakfast ‘spread’ to attempt to make it nicer. In the end, we decided to dig into our strategic stock – Digestive Biscuits and Milo. Poor Lynn had half of her digestive biscuits eaten up by us. (That was supposed to be her energy booster during the climb as she doesn’t like energy bars.)
Satisfied, we each took an anti-altitude sickness pill and set off to Mount Kinabalu Headquarter which is situated at an elevation of 1563m.
We all woke up dazed, wondering for a moment where we are. Then excitement, nervousness and anticipation sink in!
Yes, today is the day!.
A sumptuous breakfast should be the way to start this day. But to our disappointment, there were only two loaves of stale-looking bread and some butter. There was a toaster somewhere at the balcony but we were too upset with our breakfast ‘spread’ to attempt to make it nicer. In the end, we decided to dig into our strategic stock – Digestive Biscuits and Milo. Poor Lynn had half of her digestive biscuits eaten up by us. (That was supposed to be her energy booster during the climb as she doesn’t like energy bars.)
Satisfied, we each took an anti-altitude sickness pill and set off to Mount Kinabalu Headquarter which is situated at an elevation of 1563m.
阳光，沙滩，椰树 & Mt. Kinabalu
Mt. Kinabalu, here we come!It was a 2-hour ride along winding roads to the Headquarter. Though I was equipped with my motion sickness pill and the seaband which I bought for this trip, I felt giddy in no time. I let myself slip into ‘la-la’ land and that helps to curb the giddiness.
Joyce with our Quest routeAfter registration and collecting our packed lunch, we are all set to go. We are accompanied by a lady guide – Nani and a porter.
Kinabalu Park Headquarter
Our lunch boxes
Fresh and ExcitedWe took the Summit Trail via the Timpohon Gate.The trail starts with a pathway going down – this was pretty easy.
This doesn't look difficult, right?We conquer the first 0.5 km with no difficulties.
Joyce & Qin @ Carson FallThen, it started to turn misty. Some of us asked: Is it raining? The others insisted: No…it’s just mist!
Nevertheless, we hastened our pace. It would not be nice to be caught in a thunderstorm in the mountains.
Nevertheless, we hastened our pace. It would not be nice to be caught in a thunderstorm in the mountains.
Our first Pondok (Shelter) – Pondok Kandis
This is one of the seven Pondoks which we will pass along the way up to Laban Rata. The Pondoks are 0.5 to 1 km apart. There is a water tank at each Pondok for thirsty climbers to refill their water bottle, so bringing along a 500-ml bottle (included in the packed lunch) will suffice for the climb.
The water here is untreated. To be on the safe side, we added purification tablet to the water before we drink.
The water here is untreated. To be on the safe side, we added purification tablet to the water before we drink.
See the guy behind Qin? Useful NS outfit!As we proceed, I started to perspire profusely despite the cooling. We are still at the easy portion but I just kept sweating. Maybe it’s the side effect of the pills or the purification tablet; maybe it’s my body acclimating to the altitude increase. Nevertheless, I was soon soaked in sweat.
Joyce was my saviour! We mixed the water with the isotonic powder she brought and Tadah! – 100plus at 2000m elevation!
Joyce was my saviour! We mixed the water with the isotonic powder she brought and Tadah! – 100plus at 2000m elevation!
100-Plus!Then the tough part began.
Stairs and more Stairs!
1.5km & Sweating!
Squirrel - Can you spot it?
Lethargic!Ping & Qin started to feel the symptoms of altitude sickness – the aching pain across the forehead. Fortunately, panadols were effective on them. It was lucky that none of us suffered from serious altitude sickness during the climb.
It was nearing lunchtime and we still have another 1km to go before we reach our picnic area – Layang Layang Hut. The terrain after the 3km mark changes from yellow soil to granite routes. The granite stones are extremely slippery with rainwater from yesterday’s downpour. The trekking poles helped us to balance on these routes.
It was nearing lunchtime and we still have another 1km to go before we reach our picnic area – Layang Layang Hut. The terrain after the 3km mark changes from yellow soil to granite routes. The granite stones are extremely slippery with rainwater from yesterday’s downpour. The trekking poles helped us to balance on these routes.
OMG! Such steep slope!
The granite stones are super slippery. 
Our LunchThe drumstick and egg sure look inviting. Though the food was cold by the time we had them, it was still a nice feeling to have something flavoursome going down our stomach.
The Pitcher Plant
Our first Salonpas & it really helps!
Change of Terrain - Back to soiled roads
Shall we just turn back?
Its getting colder - Time to put on more clothes.
Can you see the big, fat earthworm?
We are dead beat!
Oh my gosh!
The Enchanted Wood...
Our favourite tree
Will the steps ever end?!
Can you see that Joyce is enjoying the moment? Haha
Popeye the Sailorgirl in Enchanted Wood.
Change of Terrain to slippery granite stones - Joyce's back starts to ache.The final 500m is the most taxing – it seems like it will never end. To make situation worst, it started raining cats and dogs. Within minutes, I was drenched – my windbreaker and trackpants did not survive the ‘torment’ of the rain.
Surprisingly, the rain freshen me up. I was spurred to charge to our destination – Laban Rata. In a distance, we could see the roof of a hut. “Twenty more steps” I told Ping. “Twenty more steps and we will reach.”
Then we started counting down…..when we closed up on the hut, Ping let out a loud groan. The sign in front of the hut reads ‘Waras Hut’ – we were still another100m away from hot bath and dinner!
Relief and joy washed through us as Laban Rata came into sight. It is already 4pm.
Surprisingly, the rain freshen me up. I was spurred to charge to our destination – Laban Rata. In a distance, we could see the roof of a hut. “Twenty more steps” I told Ping. “Twenty more steps and we will reach.”
Then we started counting down…..when we closed up on the hut, Ping let out a loud groan. The sign in front of the hut reads ‘Waras Hut’ – we were still another100m away from hot bath and dinner!
Relief and joy washed through us as Laban Rata came into sight. It is already 4pm.
6km, 1405m elevation in 6 hours.
We made a new record in our history!
Upon entering Laban Rata, we headed straight to an empty table in the dining area and sank gratefully into the chairs while Nani helped us with the check-in.
Drenched & HungryTO BE CONTINUED ..........Day 2 (Part 2)
Kota Kinabalu Time
Hi. Nice blog on Mt kota kinabalu. I will be climbing sometime in aug. I need some advice and details from you. Can you help?
1) where did you catch the bus to the park HQ?
2) what time did you leave xplorer backpackers and what time did you reach park HQ? what time did you start climbing?
3) will it be too cold to wear sleeveless and shorts for the initial ascend?
Hi there,
Thanks for reading.
To answer your questions:
1) Our transport was arranged by the tour agent we had.
You do have several options depending on the number of people you have in your group.
Bus
You can the bus to Ranau from the main outstation bus stop in town. (The bus will pass the entrance to the Kinabalu Park HQ on the way.)
Note that the bus service operate once a day and leaves Kota Kinabalu town at 7.00am reaching the Kinabalu park HQ at 10.00am. Bus fare is RM15 - 20 per pax.
If you have more people in your group…
You can get the staff at your accommodation to book a minivan/taxi for you. (they should have some contacts and should be able to arrange for pick-up at your accomodation). The fare is estimated to be about RM15 – 25 per pax. You can negotiate for pick-you up from Kinabalu Park HQ for your return too.
2) We left Xplorer Backpackers at around 6 plus and reached Kinabalu Park HQ at around 9 plus. We started climbing at around 10 am.
3) For this, it depends on your resistance to cold. We did see some who wore t-shirt and shorts for the climb. I think at least bring along a windbreaker and poncho. The wind makes it more chilly and weather up at Mt. KK is unpredictable.