seancau - Sep 4, 2016 3:31 pm Date Climbed: Jan 10, 2014
Day Hike
Since a night in Laban Rata costs more than the price of a 5* hotel in Kuala Lumpur, we decided to do a one day hike. Arranged transport & permits with a fixer in Kota Kinabalu because we were worried about the permit process (officially there are only 4 permits issued to one day hikers, although there were 8 one day hikers the day we summited). Tough hike with lots of steps, 5/8 one day hikers made the summit. We were lucky to avoid the crowds of overnighters and the summit was relatively cloud-free. Be warned that you will still have to pay for "guides" (1 between every 2 people), and they will make you turn back if you do not meet certain waypoints in time on the way up.
When we got to the rest house in the afternoon, we were bored and decided we wanted to summit in the afternoon as well as the next morning. So we jumped the fence and made it up by ourselves, which was awesome. No guide, no people. Of course we also did the middle of the night trudge with the rest of Malaysia the next morning
high.ry - Dec 27, 2014 7:48 am Date Climbed: Dec 16, 2014
Well maintained route!
Weather was perfect for 10 hours straight, from the time we reached the summit before sunrise, as we did the LPC Via Ferrata, and all the way until we descended to Timpohon Gate. Trail was very well maintained, there was hardly any litter!
Kevintheclimber - Dec 28, 2013 12:23 am Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2011
Classic hike
Very different from the rest of South east Asia. Be sure to dress warm on the summit though. I nearly froze
A nice and moderate climb considering it's height,spend only around 20 minutes in the overcrowded summtt cause of the extremely cold temperature.
sunshine - Jan 1, 2013 8:59 pm Date Climbed: May 9, 2007
Absolutely loved it
I just barely got a permit while I was in Borneo. Absolutely loved the overnight stay in the hut, and the overall hike. Highly recommended.
Juanneman - Jun 5, 2012 4:02 pm Date Climbed: Feb 10, 2006
Borneo express
Nice trek through the jungle into the mountains.
change of scenery is spectacular.
utahjimk - Nov 9, 2011 4:24 pm Date Climbed: Jan 27, 2010
cloud deck
did the standard hike - a wonderful experience! Interesting life to see and spectacular views. Even the rats hanging around Laban Rata were cool to see. Only disappointment was spending so little time on summit - as soon as the sun was starting to rise, my group started down.
Frostvin - Aug 14, 2011 7:23 am Date Climbed: Dec 24, 2009
Standard route
Some nice views and sunset from the hut, but a very wet hike up to the top, rain was poring down, the park rangers closed the route, needed to sign a disclaimer before leaving for summit. The rain cleared as we reached the top that was all empty, and in the end a great trek. Booked the hut a few moths in advance from home.
conflax - May 3, 2011 6:19 pm Date Climbed: Nov 1, 2007
Stunning
Wow. Loved every minute of this two day climb, but it was nearly ALL STEPS! Sunrise above the clouds was unforgettable. Granite rockface steep with the rope for guidance, but a fun experience
Had a nice trip through Sabah and Kinabalu was one of the highlights
atavist - Oct 4, 2009 10:05 pm Date Climbed: Oct 4, 2009
Visitor Center - Summit - Mesilau Nature Reserve
Kinabalu is definitely a beautiful mountain with huge potential for technical route development. Unfortunately it is regulated quite strictly and expensive. On my summit day, we had clear skies and a great sunrise. The previous day was cloudy and we never got a view of the peaks and spires until they were lit by the full moon around 4am when we made preparations to make the final 3km trek to Lowe's Peak. I descended via the Mesilau Trail and found the terrain to be much more beautiful. There's a few bridges including a double-span suspension bridge which crosses a fast-moving river. There's also a few lookout spots showing off the steep jungle walls and many waterfalls. This alternate route however is about 2km longer and felt much steeper than the main route. Plus, the transportation is an issue since the MNR gets little traffic and you are far from the main road. You will probably have to call a taxi once you reach the office.
Thomas Gurviez - Sep 24, 2009 10:44 am Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2009
normal route
Nice weather up to 8 AM, mild event at the summit
hyperbolictans - Jun 22, 2009 4:06 am Date Climbed: Jun 16, 2009
Route: Mersilau Trail
Mersilau trail: 0820-1510hrs, including lunch stop
Stayed at Pendant Hut. Set off at 0220hrs for summit. Reached summit at 0450hrs, in bitter wind chill but fine weather. First group on the summit for the day. Descended via the Via Ferrata to Laban Rata.
Descended from L.R. 1335hrs, reached Timponon gate ~1710hrs.
LS - Mar 12, 2009 7:46 am Date Climbed: Oct 31, 2008
No view
A beautiful hike, but we were unlucky with the dense clouds on the summit (no rain however). See my trip report here: http://distantpeak.com/cms/story/211/mount-kinabalu
TrevorMarrs - Nov 3, 2008 5:03 pm Date Climbed: Mar 15, 2008
Got the bug
Bit of a ´Lets try it´ while travelling in asia nearly froze to death at the top as I climbed in shorts and tracksuit top but it really gave me the climbing bug!!
radson - Aug 20, 2008 5:25 am Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2003
Standard climb
A nice trek.
derekp62 - Apr 28, 2008 2:31 am Date Climbed: Apr 27, 2008
Timpohon to Summit
On a lay over between a week in Kualu Lumpur and Tokyo, I decided to try and climb Mt. Kinabalu. It's not the biggest by a long shot, but it's probably the hardest climb I've done in year. 7893 ft. in 3.72 miles was just plain nuts!
milan1970 - Jan 10, 2008 2:52 am Date Climbed: Dec 10, 2007
Standard route
Together with my girlfriend, we climbed Kinabalu in a day. As we went up from HQ (1800meters) a lot of climbers were coming down and had lots of rain that night with no views during their summit. Our guide decided that we climbed fast enough to make it in a day and the weather was stable. So with two other climbers in our team we were the only four on the mountain that period and it was superb. We had a beautiful sunset when we summited and could see spectacular views over Borneo with little islands in the ocean. Descend back to the Laban Rata hut was also superb as all the surrounding rocks turned into gold with the sun lighting them up.
A nice and easy mountain to climb with only at the beginning a little steep part for those who never climbed before.
seancau - Sep 4, 2016 3:31 pm Date Climbed: Jan 10, 2014
Day HikeSince a night in Laban Rata costs more than the price of a 5* hotel in Kuala Lumpur, we decided to do a one day hike. Arranged transport & permits with a fixer in Kota Kinabalu because we were worried about the permit process (officially there are only 4 permits issued to one day hikers, although there were 8 one day hikers the day we summited). Tough hike with lots of steps, 5/8 one day hikers made the summit. We were lucky to avoid the crowds of overnighters and the summit was relatively cloud-free. Be warned that you will still have to pay for "guides" (1 between every 2 people), and they will make you turn back if you do not meet certain waypoints in time on the way up.
teddycricket83 - Aug 9, 2015 2:37 am
Made it up twiceWhen we got to the rest house in the afternoon, we were bored and decided we wanted to summit in the afternoon as well as the next morning. So we jumped the fence and made it up by ourselves, which was awesome. No guide, no people. Of course we also did the middle of the night trudge with the rest of Malaysia the next morning
high.ry - Dec 27, 2014 7:48 am Date Climbed: Dec 16, 2014
Well maintained route!Weather was perfect for 10 hours straight, from the time we reached the summit before sunrise, as we did the LPC Via Ferrata, and all the way until we descended to Timpohon Gate. Trail was very well maintained, there was hardly any litter!
Kevintheclimber - Dec 28, 2013 12:23 am Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2011
Classic hikeVery different from the rest of South east Asia. Be sure to dress warm on the summit though. I nearly froze
ajberry - Nov 10, 2013 8:49 am
Standard RouteA while back. Went to the top twice on the same trip, once in the rain and mist of the afternoon and then pre-dawn from the cabin.
reggiejoshua - Feb 17, 2013 2:56 am
Standard RouteA nice and moderate climb considering it's height,spend only around 20 minutes in the overcrowded summtt cause of the extremely cold temperature.
sunshine - Jan 1, 2013 8:59 pm Date Climbed: May 9, 2007
Absolutely loved itI just barely got a permit while I was in Borneo. Absolutely loved the overnight stay in the hut, and the overall hike. Highly recommended.
Juanneman - Jun 5, 2012 4:02 pm Date Climbed: Feb 10, 2006
Borneo expressNice trek through the jungle into the mountains.
change of scenery is spectacular.
utahjimk - Nov 9, 2011 4:24 pm Date Climbed: Jan 27, 2010
cloud deckdid the standard hike - a wonderful experience! Interesting life to see and spectacular views. Even the rats hanging around Laban Rata were cool to see. Only disappointment was spending so little time on summit - as soon as the sun was starting to rise, my group started down.
Frostvin - Aug 14, 2011 7:23 am Date Climbed: Dec 24, 2009
Standard routeSome nice views and sunset from the hut, but a very wet hike up to the top, rain was poring down, the park rangers closed the route, needed to sign a disclaimer before leaving for summit. The rain cleared as we reached the top that was all empty, and in the end a great trek. Booked the hut a few moths in advance from home.
conflax - May 3, 2011 6:19 pm Date Climbed: Nov 1, 2007
StunningWow. Loved every minute of this two day climb, but it was nearly ALL STEPS! Sunrise above the clouds was unforgettable. Granite rockface steep with the rope for guidance, but a fun experience
gert - Aug 21, 2010 4:21 pm
1994 - Normal routeHad a nice trip through Sabah and Kinabalu was one of the highlights
atavist - Oct 4, 2009 10:05 pm Date Climbed: Oct 4, 2009
Visitor Center - Summit - Mesilau Nature ReserveKinabalu is definitely a beautiful mountain with huge potential for technical route development. Unfortunately it is regulated quite strictly and expensive. On my summit day, we had clear skies and a great sunrise. The previous day was cloudy and we never got a view of the peaks and spires until they were lit by the full moon around 4am when we made preparations to make the final 3km trek to Lowe's Peak. I descended via the Mesilau Trail and found the terrain to be much more beautiful. There's a few bridges including a double-span suspension bridge which crosses a fast-moving river. There's also a few lookout spots showing off the steep jungle walls and many waterfalls. This alternate route however is about 2km longer and felt much steeper than the main route. Plus, the transportation is an issue since the MNR gets little traffic and you are far from the main road. You will probably have to call a taxi once you reach the office.
Thomas Gurviez - Sep 24, 2009 10:44 am Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2009
normal routeNice weather up to 8 AM, mild event at the summit
hyperbolictans - Jun 22, 2009 4:06 am Date Climbed: Jun 16, 2009
Route: Mersilau TrailMersilau trail: 0820-1510hrs, including lunch stop
Stayed at Pendant Hut. Set off at 0220hrs for summit. Reached summit at 0450hrs, in bitter wind chill but fine weather. First group on the summit for the day. Descended via the Via Ferrata to Laban Rata.
Descended from L.R. 1335hrs, reached Timponon gate ~1710hrs.
LS - Mar 12, 2009 7:46 am Date Climbed: Oct 31, 2008
No viewA beautiful hike, but we were unlucky with the dense clouds on the summit (no rain however). See my trip report here: http://distantpeak.com/cms/story/211/mount-kinabalu
TrevorMarrs - Nov 3, 2008 5:03 pm Date Climbed: Mar 15, 2008
Got the bugBit of a ´Lets try it´ while travelling in asia nearly froze to death at the top as I climbed in shorts and tracksuit top but it really gave me the climbing bug!!
radson - Aug 20, 2008 5:25 am Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2003
Standard climbA nice trek.
derekp62 - Apr 28, 2008 2:31 am Date Climbed: Apr 27, 2008
Timpohon to SummitOn a lay over between a week in Kualu Lumpur and Tokyo, I decided to try and climb Mt. Kinabalu. It's not the biggest by a long shot, but it's probably the hardest climb I've done in year. 7893 ft. in 3.72 miles was just plain nuts!
milan1970 - Jan 10, 2008 2:52 am Date Climbed: Dec 10, 2007
Standard routeTogether with my girlfriend, we climbed Kinabalu in a day. As we went up from HQ (1800meters) a lot of climbers were coming down and had lots of rain that night with no views during their summit. Our guide decided that we climbed fast enough to make it in a day and the weather was stable. So with two other climbers in our team we were the only four on the mountain that period and it was superb. We had a beautiful sunset when we summited and could see spectacular views over Borneo with little islands in the ocean. Descend back to the Laban Rata hut was also superb as all the surrounding rocks turned into gold with the sun lighting them up.
A nice and easy mountain to climb with only at the beginning a little steep part for those who never climbed before.