Mount Kinabalu is also known as the highest mountain in South East Asia. With its 4095m above sea level it’s one of the few mountains you can climb without needing any former climbing experiences.
Every slightly fit person can make an attempt to reach the summit. However, that doesn’t make it an easy climb!
A lot of endurance and mental strength is needed to make it to the top on time.
I booked a (Getlucky climb with Amazing Borneo) climb in which solo travelers or a small group of people could meet their fellow travelers and go to the peak together with a shared guide.
The journey started at 6AM in Kota Kinabalu where we were picked up by the Amazing Borneo Tours. They brought us to the Kinabalu Headquarters where we would register, get our tags and our well-filled lunch boxes.
The two hours’ drive through Sabah’s magnificent landscapes is the right time to get to know the one other. I met two girls with whom I end up doing the whole climb.
It is possible to rent a walking stick at the Kinabalu Headquarters (RM10) which can be very useful to take away some pressure on the knees especially on the second day when you need to go back down.
Everyone ready, we were brought to the starting point where we were given some extra information about the trail as well as the do’s and the don’t during our climb.
One should not be cursing the mountain, scream or shout is one of the rules as it might lead to horrible consequences involving the Mountain Spirit.
Did you know that the fastest climb till the top has been done in 2 hours and 18 minutes during the Climbathon in 2017? This record is hold by Safrey Sumping who also happened to be one of our guide during our trail.
We could feel the motivation and excitement of every single climber when they finally open the gate leading to the summit trail. ‘’Slow and steady’’, ‘’slow and steady’’ were the keywords given by our guides.
The thing I really enjoyed about the tour, especially as a solo traveler is that you get to meet new people. Climbing till the top alone can be a real challenge!
When you are together you can push each other, take great pictures and in my opinion it’s always more fun sharing this kind of unforgettable experience with others.
The two girls, Denise and Kajsa were just as fit as me which made them the perfect climb buddies.
The beginning wasn’t all too hard, a lot of stairs and natural adapted steps of different heights and sizes didn’t make the path too boring or monotonous.
The temperature was ideal for a good hike!
Between two breaths in I would stop, look at the beautiful diversity of plants and trees, listen to the wild sounds of the creatures in the forest.
Different huts were spread along the trail where we would have our little snacks and drinking breaks. The higher we got in the climb, the more those huts became something to look forward to. It definitely helps you to keep you going until the next stop.
Small advice, I wouldn’t stop for too long as muscle get sore fast and it takes more energy to get warm and active again once you start walking.
Some parts of the trail are breathtaking and worth every step climbing up. From spots overseeing wide tropical vegetation to Harry Potter misty looking forest and never ending steep stony paths.
We would motivate each other by saying ‘’we are nearly there, 3km left, 2km left, 200m to go… ‘’, each part giving us a new type of scenery for us to discover!
Even rain wouldn’t stop us from getting to our sleeping place!
Surprising fact: porters are bringing everything to the rest houses, from vegetables to beer, toilet paper and mattresses… They’ll pass you in such a quick pace carrying probably twice as much as you do. I cannot have anything else then respect towards them.
We were so happy once we made it to Laban Rata Rest house! Six hours of nonstop climbing through outstanding landscapes and nature before finally resting our legs.
After checking in and a quick shower we got ourselves a well-deserved chocolate bar and a cup of coffee.
We realized the climb wasn’t over yet and we knew tomorrow was going to be worse. After a short nap, we enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner all while watching a beautiful sunset above the endless sea of clouds.
We mentally prepared ourselves for the night climb and went to bed.
2AM - the alarm went off and we took a supper to get some extra forces. The general gathering was at 2.30AM so we put our warm clothes on, lit our headlamps and we were ready to go!
This is without a doubt the hardest part of the climb, legs are sore from the day before and the unequal steps and stairs just don’t seem to stop. Every step is getting tougher and when you are asking why you are even enduring this to yourself you have to continue, you will need some mental strength on this part!
Little did I know that once reached the last check point at Sayat Sayat the climb was going to be even more challenging. It was steep, muddy and a bit slippery because of the rain, the rope was also very handy.
The peak was so close yet so far! As I stared at the clear milky way above us I felt my breathing getting heavier and heavier.
Tip: try to walk in zigzag as the porters do, it may make the trail longer but it feels less difficult.
Sun shines started to come through the immense top rocks, I had to hurry if I wanted to reach the summit before the sun got completely up.
6.30AM - We made it, I’ve never felt so proud and happy! Being rewarded by such a view makes it an unforgettable experience!
Slowly the sun would reveal us the famous South Peak and the impressive surrounding granite mountain tops.
Clouds would fade away giving us a perfect clear view of The Land below The Wind.
Some last Instagram worthy shots were taken before going down.
Johan, one of the guides offered to do the way back to Laban Rata rest house with him, he knew the easiest way down so we followed him.
I barely have any words to describe how impressive it was to walk down facing those unreal
landscapes. Pictures tells more than a 1000 words so I will just show you…
Now that it was clear day we could finally identify the entire trail escalated a couple of hours beforehand.
After all, it’s a good thing not be able to see it while ascending the mountain as I would have judged it impossible climbing it all in only a couple of hours.
We had breakfast before making it back to the Kinabalu Headquarters. The way back felt so long and maybe even the most challenging part! My legs were sore and shaky and my knees hurt. Every step down felt as if they couldn’t hold me anymore. I nearly had a couple of close encounters with the ground but after 4 hours we were finally back at the start.
A tasty buffet lunch was prepared for us and we got handed over our Mount Kinabalu certification before being brought back to Kota Kinabalu.
I would recommend this experience to anyone! You only live once so book that tour and conquer that mountain! Trust me, you won’t regret it.
Link to my vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=000f2WQ0h_o&t=8s
Im proud of you Rowanne! <3