Kinabalu Park is dominated by Mount
Kinabalu (4,095 m), the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea.
Standing 4,095 metres (13,432 ft) high, it is also the highest mountain in
South East Asia. With its granite massif dominating the surrounding landscape
at the peak, it is often shrouded in mists and clouds. Mount Kinabalu has an
awesome mystique all its own. No wonder that long ago, the Kadazan-Dusuns
named it �Aki Nabalu� or �home of the spirits of the dead�. Despite its height
it is one of the easiest mountains to climb and thousands of all ages and
fitness levels climb it every year.
 
Many people who visit the Park come to climb the
mountain, a tough Walk that takes a minimum of two days. But why not take your
time over it! The climb can be made far more rewarding and enjoyable if you
use three days, with two nights at a mountain hut. This way you can take the
time to look at what you pass - the birds, the animals, the rocks and the
soil, the views and the almost incredibly rich diversity of plant life
belonging to one of the most ancient vegetations in the world.
 Park
regulations require all climbers to be accompanied on ascent with a registered
guide. Porters can also be hired but this is not compulsory, and overnight
accommodation at the mountain must be booked in advance.
The mountain trail begins just past the Power Station and is approximately one
hour's walk from Kinabalu Park Headquarters. On the first day, you get to
within around 700m of the summit, set off before dawn the next day to be at
the summit before mid morning when the clouds roll in. Most climbers start the
last leg of the climb at 3:00 am to reach the peak for the brilliant sunrise,
usually occurring at 5:30 am �6.00am. The trip back down to the park takes the
rest of the day.
On
the way up you will have to stay overnight at one of the mountain huts at
3300m or the 54 bed Laban Rata Rest House. It has heating, hot water and a
restaurant. There are the cheaper three huts at 3300m, the 12 bed Waran and
Panar Laban huts. They are more spartan and unheated but a sleeping bag is
provided and the huts are within walking distance of the restaurant at Laban
Rata, which is not only open for regular meals but also open from 2 to 3 am,
so as to serve breakfast to those attempting the summit. The huts have cooking
facilities which are available to those bringing their own food. The air is
quite thin there and it is very cold in the mornings - around 0 degrees C.
The best time to visit the park, especially for climbers, is during the March
and April dry season. The average rainfall is over 400cm per year, with
average temperature of 20 degrees Celsius at the Park Headquarters, while at
the Laban Rata Resthouse at 3,273 m, and on the peak, the nightly
temperatures
can drop below
the freezing point.
RELATED LINKS
Kinabalu Park
Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as one of the most
important biological sites in the world and as the keeper of the treasures of
Mt Kinabalu, Kinabalu Park showcases an eco-system unrivalled anywhere else in
the world.
Mt. Kinabalu - Mountain Trail &
Climb
Trail and Climb description - The flora & sights - Rest
stations - Mountain accommodations - The weather - Tips
Mt. Kinabalu - Climb Tips &
Necessities
Things to bring, clothes to wear, medical advice and others
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