Good Introductory Video of Mt Kinabalu

It is fascinating to watch others' experiences in climbing this mountain. But this video is more than that, it is one of the best introductory videos of Mount Kinabalu.

I love the introduction of the mountain by Alim Biun (the Mt Kinabalu Research Officer), Balwant Singh (the race director), other famous professional mountain runners like Marco De Gasperi, Anna Frost, Kilian Jornet, and Greg Vollet, the Saloman Team Manager. The later part of the video shows the Climbathon Run in 2011 and the mountain terrain.



Just like what I had experienced when I climbed this mountain in 2010 and 2011, you will realise how unique this place is.

Anna Frost has a good recap write up of Mount Kinabalu Climbathon.



Other resources:
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Coming down from the Peak: The REAL show has just begun

Step-by-Step Terrain of Mount Kinabalu:

The highlight of the climb is not when we stood on the "podium", i.e. Low's Peak which is the highest point of the mountain. It is when we were on the way down that the real show began.

During ascent we were climbing at night, there was not much to see. It was only during descent that we realized the greatness of this mountain.








Last view of the highest point of South East Asia.

We are just so tiny.

Click on the photo to see an enlarge image. On the way down, I turned around one last time to take this photo.
Click on the photo to see the enlarged image.


Step-by-Step Terrain of Mount Kinabalu:

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Summit Trail 5.0km to 5.5km (2)

Step-by-Step Terrain of Mount Kinabalu:

Rest at Pondok Paka

Exactly this kind of terrain for the remaining parts of the trail.

Not forgetting to capture a photo or two. My lens dried.

My uncle, battered but proud. Just half a KM more to go.

The last half KM was like really really never ending walk. 




Step-by-Step Terrain of Mount Kinabalu:

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Summit Trail 2.5km to 3km (2)

Step-by-Step Terrain of Mount Kinabalu:

At this stage, we had climbed almost 40% of the trail before reaching Laban Rata. This is also the level that some of us may start to feel the impact of altitude sickness.

Wait a while. Someone need to talk in the middle of the trail. The porters can carry really heavy load.



Never ending uphill climb. At KM2.5, we were still going strong.

Take a rest before starting again.


This was the place my altitude sickness started during my first climb. But this round, I was ready. I took altitude sickness pill before the climb and I was perfectly okay up to this stage.

My uncle showed his progress happily, KM3.




Step-by-Step Terrain of Mount Kinabalu:

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Blog on the Experience of Climbing Mt Kinabalu

If you can read Bahasa Malaysia (Malaysia Language), I highly recommend this blog post "Gunung Kinabalu Trip 2013" by a lady Marathon runner and blogger called @NANNOOR.

Based on the blog,
  • this was her third times to climb Mount Kinabalu. (So she is experienced)
  • the group followed Mesilau trail (which I had not tried before and therefore had not written before in this blog)
  • she and her husband are Marathon runners, both are fit. In fact, the people in the Group (with kids) all seemed fit during the climb




It is written in Malaysia Language in three parts and it is entertaining:


Mesilau trail is 2 kilometers more than Timpohon trail. It took her 7 hour 25 minutes to reach Laban Rata from Mesilau Gate. The trail is more scenic than the Timpohon trail with more variations in terms of scenery, i.e. forest, rocks face, cliffs, etc.


My own photo in climbing to Low's Peak.
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Descending right after Sayat Sayat checkpoint

Step-by-Step Terrain of Mount Kinabalu:

The scenery gets very beautiful and more vegetation after Sayat Sayat check point. I love the blue sky and the sunshine on the mountain. It is also the stretch where we need to be more careful and hold the rope while climbing down. Check out the photographs below.






I love the blue sky of these two photo. How can I not adding them here? :-)

After leaving Sayat Sayat. Looking backward.

Looking upward after leaving Sayat Sayat Check Point.

On our way going down to Laban Rata. This is the stretch right after Sayat Sayat checkpoint.This is the only part of the climbing trail that requires holding rope.

I tried to get another nearer shot but my flash compact card was fulled at the crucial moment.


Just walked pass Sayat Sayat checkpoint.

 Some climbers slowed down at this part.
It cannot be fast. We had to go down slowly. 




When we climbed up the night before, pulling the rope, we could not see the beautiful panorama scenery due to darkness.

It is not difficult. Just need to be careful. You can see Laban Rata resthouse from here.

We just had to be patient of the speed. It was perfect for me, I just kept taking photo shots.



My two uncles. They are both fitter than me. Larry (left) is Hash House Harriers runner and Dr Loo (right) has been slowing down for me to catch up with him.

This blogger from Philippines, Joanna of www.thebratpacker.com, has very good photos and series of photos on the descent journey right after Sayat Sayat. She is a good writer and has awesome photos.

Step-by-Step Terrain of Mount Kinabalu:

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