Summit Dream, conquering Mount Kinabalu – The Journey

Mount Kinabalu was listed by UNESCO as the World Heritage. A prominent mountain on
Mount Kinabalu was listed by UNESCO as the World Heritage. A prominent mountain on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Located in the east Malaysian state of Sabah and is protected as Kinabalu National Park, a World Heritage site. The tallest mountain in Asia with the most interesting biodiversity found on earth and is the pride and joy of Malaysia. Mount Kinabalu offers the climber a unique experience and is famed for the annual Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon, drawing enthusiasts from all over the world.

This mountain earned her merit to be accorded World heritage status by UNESCO because of it is surrounded by most important biological sites in the world, with over 4500 species of plant, 326 species of birds, and 100 mammalian species. Among this rich collection of wildlife are famous species such as the gigantic rafflesia plants and the orangutan.

Your journey to the top of mount kinabalu begins at Timpohon Gate located at 1,866 meters altitude sea level. This is where you and your guide will commence out on the first fraction of your journey to the highest point of south east asia mount kinabalu's peak 4102mrters. Be prepared for the strenuous and challenging of your first step to conquer the Mount Kinabalu. As you climb, your natural surroundings will set out to change. In a couple of steps of you movement to the top your will notice a literally different world, everything start changing, such as trees, plants, yes, all changing. Your journey of the day will end up at Laban Rata at the height of 3,550 meters, along the way to Laban Rata you will past by five shelters (pondok) at a defferent height respectively i.e. Pondok Kandis (1,981m), Pondok Ubah (2,081m), Pondok Mempening (2,515m), Pondok Layang-layang (2,690m), and Pondok Villosa (2,702m).

Your first trail would be at Pondok Kandis shelter at 1,981 meters. At this shelter your will be treated to a wonderful and spectacular views of the coast. At this level, several of Kinabalu's 26 Rhododendron species will catch your eye, in shades ranging from white to scarlet. At this altitude, Orchids and Rhododendrons grow in abundance, while pitcher plants live the edge of the trail. Small mammals and birds are seen along the trail. Squirrels including long nosed, horse tailed and pygmy species and several varieties of bats may be spotted.

Your second shelter will be at Pondok Ubah which is 2,081 metres at the threshold to the Upper Montane Zone. This zone occupied by orchids and carnivorous plants with intricately serrated pitchers. Next you will at Pondok Lowoii, this shelter still within the upper montane forest. The dominant species at this place is broad leaves and sports yellow flowers Rhododendron Lowii. 24 of the 50 Rhododendron species recorded in Sabah are found on Kinabalu.
The fourth shelter will be Pondok Mempening, located at 2,515 meters. At this shelter you will be entertain by vistas of wild Begonia, Rhodendron, orchids ferns, and pitcher plants. You may also found the largest moss in the world, Dawsonia grows up to a meter high. Several of Kinabalu's 715 fern species are found here. Mammals here are generally small and inconspicuous. Larger species are either nocturnal or shy away from visitors.

Your next journey would be at pondok laying-layang, located at 2,690 meters and was formerly known as Carson's camp. The soil here supports only distinct and mostly endemic species as it is low in phosphates but high in iron, silica and metals harmful to most plants. Unusual species that thrive here include pitchers like Nepenthes Villosa and Nepenthes Rajah. Several plant species including Leptospermum and Dacrydium gibbsiae.

Next you will reach Pondok Villosa which is perched on top of an open rocky patch at 2,702 meters. At this level, the forest becomes more stunted. The strange gnarled forms of leptospermum and dacrydium lend a fairy tale ambience to the landscape. From this point you will proceed to 3,080 meters where Pondok Paka is located, this shelter is close to a large overhanging rock beside a small stream called the Paka Cave. It lies in the heart of a bird watcher's paradise, but at this level you may like most climbers experience slight breathing problems as air starts to thin at this level. Apart from birds and mountain tree shrews, you may at this shelter sight ferret badgers. If you are fortunate, you may also find the bright orange red color rare giant Kinabalu leech which appear during pouring rain, it grows up to 30 centimeters long.

Your journey of the day ends at Laban Rata guest house at 3,550 meters. The length of time taken to reach Laban Rata is determined by how rapid is your walk, however it normally take an average between 4 to 6 hours journey. This is your stop over before your final leg ascends to the top of Mount Kinabalu, scheduled to be early morning around 3am the next day. All climbers are assembled here in this guesthouse. This guesthouse offers accommodation, food and drink as well.

Your last leg journey to the top begins at 3.00 am. This is the journey much awaited by all climbers though perceived comparative as more difficult and tough than the rest of the climb; it is so because the air is thinning affecting our normal breathing. You will reach the cold, dark summit at 5am. It is a proud moment and signed of accomplishment to be at the top of the highest mountain in Asia. At this level you will witness the wonderful creation of God, you will be entertained by the amazing and spectacular sunrise colored in orange and gold rising. You and the rest of the climbers are allowed to be at the top approximately one (1) hour and not beyond because of the thinning of air posed breathing problem.

After an hour at the top, it is time to say goodbye, as you have to descend to Laban Rata. Descending is much easier and you can do it at ease. You should be at Laban rata guesthouse by 8am where your breakfast awaiting you. You will then proceed your journey to descend the mountain back to the point where your started your first day journey at the park entrance. This is the end of your journey and it is a great accomplishment and satisfaction of being able to conquer the highest mountain in Asia.

Planning for Your Tropical Adventure Vacation?

If you intend to have or to plan your next vacation with a taste of adventure, or thinking of traveling with the specific purpose of activity participation to explore a new experience in a new exciting adventure vacation destination, then Sabah, Malaysia Borneo is the perfect destination for you to consider.

Sabah is known as paradise for tropical island adventure, also Sabah is equally made for an adventure vacation from soft to hard as it brings you a variety of adventure vacation activities that is not only unique to this region but also unparallel in quality. Some of the adventure vacation activities you can contemplate include:

Mountain Climbing - Conquer with relative ease the majestic Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in South East Asia. As long as you are relatively fit, Mount Kinabalu is a must for an adventure vacation in Borneo as you do not need any special skills or mountaineering gears.

White Water Rafting - Brave the exhilarating ride down the river rapids on a White Water Rafting adventure. Along the more challenging Padas River (Grade 111-1V moderate rapids) or the family Kiulu River (Grade 1-111 simple rapids).

Jungle Trekking - Take a guided hike/trek through million years old rainforest at Danum Valley or Maliau "The Lost World" Basin. Borneo's rainforest is the oldest in the world at around 130 million years compared to the 60 million years old Amazon rainforest.

Adventure Caving - Explore the magnificent three-century old limestone cave at Gomantong in Sandakan and watch skilled workers climb up long bamboo and rattan ladders to collect the precious birds’ nest. Also witness a spectacular aerial show as millions of bats and swiftlets flying out from the cave.

River Cruise - Take a boat cruise along the Kinabatangan river, the longest river in Sabah, for a fun filled nature adventure on an ox-bow lake and to search for the elusive Proboscis Monkeys (odd nose monkeys of Borneo) and other wildlife.

Survivor Borneo - Visit Pulau Tiga "Survivor Island", where the CBS Reality Show "Survivor I" was conducted and filmed. A chance to relive the first Survivor series as some of the props utilising local materials created for the show are still there.

North Borneo Overland Safari - Drive overland across North Borneo either by coach for soft adventure travel or by 4WD for harsher terrains to savor an adventure overland vacation that combines the best of Borneo assets in Sabah.

Holiday in Sabah

Sabah is also known as North Borneo. Sabah is a tropical paradise of pristine rainforests, amazing natural wonders, vibrant cultures and friendly locals. Known as the “land below the wind” for its location below the typhoon belt, Sabah shines as of Malaysia’s most exciting tourist destination. Its is one of the new places in the world where visitors can still find magnificent virgin rainforests, home to rare and endangered flora and fauna. A celebrated here is the Kinabalu Park, Malaysia first UNESCO world heritage site, hailed as the centre for plant diversity in Southeast Asia. The park is dominated by the iconic Mount Kinabalu.

Sabah’s seas hold some of the best dive destinations in the world. Among them are the renowned Sipadan Island, famed for its sea turtles and awe-inspiring seascapes. Other breathtaking dive sites can be found around the islands of Mataking, Mabul, Kapalai and Lankayan. These destinations boast some of the richest marine habitats, teeming with unique and extraordinary marine life.

The warm and friendly people of Sabah are pleased to welcome visitors to their beautiful land. Approximately 32 different ethnic groups such as Kadazan, Bajau, Rungus and Murut make up the rich and fascinating cultural tapestry of this land.
Be it an exciting holiday in the rainforest, or a leisurely stroll by the beach, or an interesting time in the villages and towns, Sabah offers amazing experiences that will surpass your wildest dreams!. Make Sabah your next destination for an exciting holiday.

My next write-up will provides you more information on how to get into Sabah, getting around Sabah and introducing to you the main attraction destinations in Sabah.

Kinabalu Park

The gateway to the top of Borneo ! Kinabalu Park is located at 1, 558 metres above sea level and is approximately 2 hours bus ride from the State Capital. The park covers an area of about 754 sq. km with altitudes ranging from 600 metres up to the summit of Mount Kinabalu at 4,095.2 metres.Popular for its cool climate among the local people, Kinabalu promises to enchant naturalists with its rich flora and fauna. It carries lowland, mountain and alpine vegetation on a scale that is not seen elsewhere between the Himalayas and the New Guinea. It boasts to having the largest flower in the world - Rafflesia and more than 1500 species of orchids in its vicinity.

Mount Kinabalu is the majestic center piece of Kinabalu Park and is also the highest mountain in Southeast Asia. The majestic mountain has a fascinating geological history. It began approximately a million years ago when the granite core lying beneath the earth’s crust was solidifying. This granite massif was later thrust upwards through the crust to the surface. Subsequent erosion removed thousands of feet of overlying sand and mud stone, thus exposing this massif. During the Ice-Age, glaciers running through the summit plateau smoothed it out, but jagged peaks that stood out above the ice surface remained unaffected by these cosmetic touches and retained their extremely ragged surfaces. Today, the allure of this awe inspiring mountain and its great heights act like a powerful magnet and challenge, which attracts eager climbers from all corners of the world. About 30,000 people scale the mountain each year, including more than 10,000 foreigners. Despite its intimidating size, Mt. Kinabalu is the one of the easiest mountains in the world to climb. No special skills or equipment are needed and each year, thousand of visitors climb to the summit of Mt. Kinabalu’s Low Peak. Keep in mind, however, that the ascent is a physically tough and challenging climb, requiring a minimum of two days to reach the summit.