Mount Kinabalu - level of difficulty

lenlynn on 27/01/2015 - 23:27
Last edited 27/01/2015 - 23:32

Hi,
The boyfriend and I are thinking of climbing Mt Kinabalu in August. Just some questions for anyone here who has done it before please.

  1. Would you recommend the 3D2N or 2D1N hike? Self booking of accommodation etc or take a package through the website?

  2. Level of difficulty- The official site said 10year olds can do it but I'm not sure how long they take or if they finish up to elevation 4,095m. My Malaysian friend said we have to train for it too. How fit do you have to be and how 'safe' is it? I guess my qn is, if i get dizzy suddenly, will I just plunge to my death? ;p

  3. Any recommendation of budget places to get the stuff needed too? Or any other advice or places to go? We love animals and wanna do something different. Have been recommended the orang utan rehab centre already.

This will be our first time climbing a mountain and also the first time to Kota Kinabalu. Thanks all!

Travel

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 27/01/2015 - 23:38
    +2

    Why not ask the natives?

    Try the malaysia subreddit

    http://www.reddit.com/r/malaysia/

    Or the travel subreddit
    http://www.reddit.com/r/travel/

    • lenlynn on 29/01/2015 - 00:09

      Oh wow thanks scrimshaw. Found some topics on KK on reddit!

  • sparkles on 28/01/2015 - 01:28
    +1

    Intrepid offer a Mt Kinabalu climb. The trip notes outlining the climb are quite informative.

    http://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/malaysia/mt-kinabalu-climb-…

    • pennae on 28/01/2015 - 07:41
      +2

      Intrepid are fab - take the hassle out of your trip and go with them. It's not difficult to arrange everything yourself, just time consuming, and accom books out easily. Intrepid often have specials, and I've always found their pricing to be only a little more than organising everything myself - but hours and hours saved!

      KK is a lot of fun - it's also worth doing a day trip out to the islands for snorkelling :)

      • lenlynn on 29/01/2015 - 00:10

        Thanks guys, we will prob go with intrepid now. Was kinda afraid of dodgy unreliable companies but Intrepid sounds pro.

        • pennae on 29/01/2015 - 09:41

          I've been traveling with Intrepid for over 10yrs now and haven't had a bad trip. Some "OK" trips (it really does depend on what your group leader is like) but logistically, they're fab. The small group size also means that you take normal transport and not stuck in a bubble bus. It just takes all the stress out of travel when you only have a short amount of time - highly recommended.

  • JKF on 28/01/2015 - 09:36
    +1

    We did that a number of years ago. Luckily we had some friends in KL organised the trip including guides and accommodation, so can't help you there.

    But the climb itself is not difficult, there is no climbing so to speak (where you need to climb on cliff face like in movies). It's more like a steep bush walk with lots of steps below the treeline. There is a rope on bare rock once you pass the tree line but it's more to keep you on the path than for you to hold on. The breathing get difficult at the top because of the thin air, it was like one big breath for each step you take. But it's well worth it. You shouldn't have any problem providing you are reasonable fit. My so call 'training' was the daily walk / jog in my semi hilly neighbourhood. We were overtaken on our way up by a group of senior Japanese looks like in their 70s!

    I have fear of height, but at no point during the 'climb' did that kick in at KK. Unlike it did on a supposingly mild walk at Brecon Beacon in Wales or on the rim of the Bali volcano…

    We spent the night before at the foothill lodge and then did the climb over 2D1N at the overnight lodging which is located at the treeline. Then started the next day around 3am to catch sunrise. It felt cold when we set out but heat up very very quickly once I got going and had to lug my jacket around which is the last thing you want to carry when the air is thin. We made it all the way back to the base camp at the foot hill by 4pm.

    We also went white water rafting (day trip) and had seafood at KK town.

    It's lots of fun, you won't regret doing it.

    • lenlynn on 29/01/2015 - 00:15

      Lol never underestimate the Japanese. Ahh love both whitewater rafting and seafood so will try both there! Partner hasn't tried whitewater rafting before so that will be gd too.

      It's a relief to hear that haha.. Used to be fitter but hasn't gone to the gym in 4 years. Can feel the plaque clogging up my arteries.;) ok 2D1N should be enough for Mt kinabalu, prob a few more days for KK.

      • pennae on 29/01/2015 - 09:43

        Do a snorkelling day trip! No need for a tour for that one - plenty of ferries to get you to the Islands :) A great contrast to the climb!

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