Step-by-Step Terrain of Mount Kinabalu:
Mid-night buffet supper at Laban Rata Rest House starts from 2.00am in the morning.
It is important to eat well because you need energy to climb to the summit. The climb may take as long as 4 hours to 8 hours before you come back to Laban Rata. It can be as late as 10.00 am in the morning. Breakfast buffet close at 10.00 am in the morning, after that you can only order for À la carte.
Most climbers start their summit climb by 2.30am, after a warm and comfortable supper meal at Laban Rata. I suggest you start earlier.
It is a long upward hike. Initially, you walk on wooden staircases or natural rocky-faced stairs. The last 200 meters (crude estimation) before Sayat Sayat (the last check point right after 7 km) is a climb that you need to hold on to a rope.
Sayat Sayat checkpoint gate closes at 5am. You need to reach Sayat Sayat checkpoint before 5am to be allowed to go uphill.
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| Not a good photo. I mistakenly forgot to adjust the focus. |
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| Walking on a ledge at night. To be safe, at times, you need to hold the rope. |
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| The only stretch of the whole journey that requires you to pull yourself with your hand. |
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| Take a rest before going further. |
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| At KM7, just a few steps away from Sayat Sayat check point. |
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Here we are at Sayat Sayat check point. You need to be here before
the gate closes at 5pm. |
Step-by-Step Terrain of Mount Kinabalu:
