Mount Kinabalu during · During in Mount Kinabalu
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During in Mount Kinabalu
During in Mount Kinabalu
The actual climb is made along a well-marked path with signposts marking each half-kilometre. All who climb the mountain must buy a climbing permit (RM100/RM40 for non-Malaysian adults/children or RM30/RM12 for Malaysian adults/children) provided that accommodation for Laban Rata has been arranged.
The park also strongly advises all to hire a guide. A guide can cost between RM85-RM120 per trip - the actual cost depends on the number in the group and which route is used. (It is possible to climb without a guide, but a waiver needs to be signed.) Insurance will also be required for the climb.
In addition to all this, there is also a bus that takes climbers from the park entrance to where the climbing path properly begins (RM5 each way per person). Those that choose to not take the bus face a 5km hike along a tarred road.
There are periodic rest stops about a kilometer apart up the mountain. The entire journey is 8.72km, with a stop about 6km up at Laban Rata where most climbers will stay overnight. Usually, the climb started at 7.30-10.30 am. The first 4km climbing to Laban Rata is in moderate steep where the trail is equipped with stairs and some rock path. The last 2km is tough with solely rock path. Average person reached at Laban Rata (6km journey) is 4-5 hours (some unfit person will reach in 7-8 hours).
The ascent from Laban Rata upwards is difficult in places, including climbs along steep ledges, and usually starts at around 2-3AM. It can also get very gusty in places as the vegetation barrens near the top. The severely unfit will find it almost impossible.
You should bring waterproof and warm clothing including a hat and gloves, with spare, dry clothing packed in waterproof bags. If you get wet at altitude you will quickly get cold. You should also wear proper walking shoes. Bring a good headlamp with extra batteries (a headlamp is preferred over a torch since you will need your two hands for climbing some rocks near the summit), a whistle and plenty of high calorie food such as nuts and chocolate. A disposable rain coat is adequate and avoid to bring heavy bag. Unnecessary clothing and equipment can be left at counter before starting your climbing.
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Mount Kinabalu Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.