mount, kinabalu
Mount Kinabalu (Malay: Gunung Kinabalu) is a prominent mountain in South East Asia. Its height has been given as 4095 m (13,450 ft) [1] above sea level, or also 4101 m [2] from other sources. It is located in Kinabalu National Park on the Malaysian island of Borneo. The main peak of the mountain can be climbed by a person with a good physical condition, and requires no mountaineering equipment. Other peaks along the massif, however, require rock climbing skills. The mountain features a large variety of flora, including wild pitcher plants and orchids.
Climbing route
Climbers must be accompanied by guides at all times. The climb starts at the Kinabalu park headquarters at 1500 m (4900 ft). Accommodation is available inside the park or outside near the headquarters. From there, climbers proceed to the Timpohon gate at 1800 m (5900 ft), either by minibus or by walking, and then walk to the Laban Rata hut at 3300 m (10,800 ft). Most people accomplish this part of the climb in 3 to 6 hours. Since there are no roads, the supplies for the Laban Rata hut are carried by porters, mostly old women, who bring up to 30 kilograms of supplies on their backs. Hot food and beverages, hot showers and heated rooms are available at the hut. The last 800 m (2600 ft), from the Laban Rata hut at 3300 m to the summit at 4100 m, takes between 2 and 4 hours. The last part of the climb is on naked granite rock.
Given the high altitude, some people may suffer from altitude sickness and should return immediately to the bottom of the mountain, as breathing and any further movement becomes increasingly difficult.
A typical descent from the summit is quick but is often equally painful as the ascent: knee joints, ankle joints and toes tend to suffer as the climbers descend 3000 m (9850 ft) in five hours.
Tales
There are two tales that led to the main beliefs in the origin of the mountain's name.
The first derivation of the word Kinabalu is extracted from the short form for the Kadazan Dusun word 'Aki Nabalu',- meeting "the revered place of the dead".
The second source states that the name "Kinabalu" actually means "Cina Balu" ( which would fully mean "A Chinese Widow"). Due to the lingual influence among the Kadazan Dusun of Sabah, the pronunciation for the word "cina" (chee-na) was changed to "Kina" (kee-na). It was told that a Chinese prince was cast away to the Borneo island when his cruise ship sank in the middle of the South China Sea.
He was subsequently rescued by the local natives from a nearby village.
As he regained full recovery, he was slowly accepted as one of the people living in the village. Eventually, he fell in love with a local girl and married the girl. Years went by, he started to feel homesick. So, he asked permission from his newly-found family to go back to China to visit his parents (the Emperor and Empress of China). To his wife, he promised that as soon as he is done with his chores in China, he will come back to the Borneo Island to take her and their children back to China.
So, after building a simple sailship for him, he went back to China. When he arrived in China, he was given a grand welcome by his family. However, to his dismay, his emperor parents disagreed with him about taking his wife from Borneo back to China. Worse, his parents told him that he was already betrothed to a princess of a neighbouring kingdom. Having no choice (due to high respect towards his parents), he obeyed with a heavy heart.
Meanwhile, back in the Borneo Island, the lovesick wife grew more and more anxious. Eventually, she decided that she will wait for her husbands's ship. However, since the village is situated far away from the shore, she couldn't afford to come to the docks and wait for him daily.
Nevertheless, because of love, she found a better way to wait for her husband's arrival. She decided to climb to the top of the highest mountain near her village, so that she could have a better view of the ships sailing around the South China Sea. Thus, she was then seen climbing up the mountain at every sunrise, returning only at nights to attend to her growing children.
Doing this for a long time, her efforts have finally taken a toll. She fell ill, and eventually died at the top of the cold mountain while waiting for her husband. The spirit of the mountain, having observed her for years, was extremely touched by her loyalty towards her husband. Out of admiration for this woman, the spirit of the mountain turned her into a stone. Her face, was made to face the South China Sea, so that she can wait forever for her dear husband's return.
The people in her hometown who heard about this were also gravely touched by this. Thus, they decided to name the mountain, Kinabalu, in rememberance of her. To them, the mountain is a symbol of the everlasting love and loyalty, that should be taken as a good example by women.
To this day, the people around Ranau, a district in Sabah, believed that the St John's Peak was the stone in which her body was turned into. You can have a better look at this peak at
Kinabalu Mountain, Sabah
World Heritage Site. Bird watching, exploring forest trails (lower montane forests and lowlands). Climbing Mt. Kinabalu. Spectacular photographic opportunities. Opportunities to see Rafflesias in bloom (Poring) and the largest pitcher plant in the world (Nepenthes rajah; Mesilau). Very good bird watching in montane (park headquarters and towards the peak) and lowland areas (Poring). Few large mammals. Many curious botanical delights (e.g., pitcher plants, rafflesias, orchids).
Location
About 60 km (37 miles) northeast of Kota Kinabalu.
When to go
Any time of year. For ascents up to the peak, its is best to avoid the rainy periods of the year (November to February).
Access
Overland for Kota Kinabalu or from the south (i.e., Sandakan/Tawau). The main park entrance lies just off the main Kota Kinabalu-Sandakan highway. The largest towns nearby are Kundasang or Ranau. From Kundasang, it is possible to access the Mesilau Visitors Center. South of Ranau are the Poring Hot Springs.
Permits
A nominal entrance fee is charged at the park entrance (at Park HQ, Mesilau or Poring). A permit and guide fees are compulsory for those wishing to climb Mt. Kinabalu. Guides are both compulsory and a necessity in case something goes wrong on the peak (altitude sickness, fatigue or injury; these guides are prepared to carry you off the mountain!)
Equipment
Light clothing in the lowlands (Poring) and warmer clothes if you intend to stay at the park (Park HQ and Mesilau). For those climbing the mountain, warmer clothes (including stout footwear, windproof jackets, gloves) will be handy as the exposed peaks in the early morning can be very cold.
Facilities
Information center, a bookshop, and restaurants. Accommodation (simple chalets & dorms) are available at the Park HQ, Mesilau and Poring. It is advisable to book accommodation in advance at Kota Kinabalu or Sandakan (managed by Sutera Sanctuary Lodges). Sign-posted trails around the Park HQ and Mesilau area. At the Park HQ a wonderful mountain garden with guided tours at certain times of the day. On the mountain, basic accommodation and restaurant facilities [e.g., Panar Laban at 3,300 m (10, 850 feet)], and simpler accommodations at slightly higher elevation. At Poring, accommodation is available, also a restaurant, hot spring bathing tubs, canopy walkway, butterfly enclosure, an orchid garden and marked forested trails. You can also find accommodation and restaurants outside the park area (Park HQ and Poring).
Nature
Very good bird watching in montane (park hedquarters and towards the peak) and lowland areas (Poring). Few large mammals. Many curious botanical delights (e.g., pitcher plants, rafflesias, orchids) -- Rafflesia (Poring) and Nepenthes rajah (Mesilau).
Visitor Activities
Recreation at high altitudes. Birdwatching, exploring forest trails (lower montane forests and lowlands). Climbing Mt. Kinabalu. You may climb from either the Park HQs or from Mesilau. The latter is more demanding but will take you on a more scenic route up to Laban Rata (your resting point before the accent). Spectacular photographic opportunities. Opportunities to see Rafflesias in bloom (Poring) or Nepenthes rajah, the largest pitcher plant in the world (Mesilau).
Biology
The mountain is famous for supporting a rich ecosystem of many endemic and very rare species of flora and fauna. The most well known are the pitcher plants and orchids, especially Nepenthes rajah.
Elevation (feet): 13455 Elevation (meters): 4102 Range: Malay Archipelago SubRange: Borneo Country: Malaysia Continent: Asia Latitude: 6.08333 Longitude: 116.55 Difficulty: Scramble Best months for climbing: June, July, August, September, October Year first climbed: 1858 Convenient Center: Kota Kinabalu, Borneo Nearest major airport: Kota Kinabalu, Borneo
The climb up Mount Kinabalu is strikingly barren, a welcome change from the thick jungle below, with about 12 prominent jagged peaks, including the highest point at Low's Peak, rising impressively above a vast, smooth rock face which scientists attribute to the last Ice Age spanning between two million to 10,000 years ago when moving sheets of ice called glaciers mopped out most of the soil, loose rocks and plants.
A well defined tourist trail graded with thousands of clay, rock, branch steps and rope aided sections at the summit rock face, enables the physically prepared visitor to enjoy the tough challenge.
Most make it, feel satisfied by the sensation of height, and lifted by a sense of achievement.
In 1994, 29,644 climbers reached Low's Peak, out of whom 10,894 were international visitors.
Temperatures at the summit is about one or two degrees Centigrade above freezing point but a heated hostel at 11,000 ft makes the overnight rest comfortable.
Porters charge a modest fee to help carry heavy personal belongings. The mandatory use of mountain guides ensures safety.(With thanks to Sabah Tourism Promotion Corporation).
Park Headquarters: the government owns several lodges. Outside the park there is private accommodation too, which may prove a useful alternative.
Jungle Trekking
For trekking, Sabah offers a wide range of activities.
From searching the biggest flower on earth, the Rafflesia, to discovering exotic culture in the heart of Borneo, learning the ecosystem in the oldest virgin jungle in the world or just wanting to disappear for days in the Borneo forest.
White Water Rafting
For a thrilling adventure, you should not miss doing whitewater rafting in Sabah. From a leisurely rafting to a really wild ride, Sabah offers several rivers to fit your excitement threshold level.
For a steady and pleasant ride, the Papar River, about 30 minutes drive from Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of Sabah is the ideal river. Another popular river is the Kiulu River, an hour drive from Kota Kinabalu.
For a more rough and tumble rafting, the ultimate will be the Padas River, classified as grade IV for its spectacular ride.
How to get there:
From Kota Kinabalu, it is an hour and a half drive to Beaufort from Kota Kinabalu. From there, you will take a diesel railway train passing lush green jungles from Beaufort to Tenom. Before reaching Tenom, you will drop at the starting point at Padas River. After a safety briefing by your guide, you will then begin a really thrilling journey of your life. By the way, the Padas River has this affinity of being the most popular river for whitewater rafting.
(With thanks to Sabah Tourism Promotion Corporation.)
Mountain Biking
Sabah offers a large variety of mountain biking opportunities.
Adventure Caving
Sabah has many large caves. Adventure caving tours can be booked with some tour operators
