The majestic and awe-inspiring Mount Kinabalu is one of
premier destinations for thousands of visitors to Sabah, Malaysian Borneo each year. Kinabalu National Park, a designated World Heritage Site, boasts an estimated 4,500 species of plants which includes 1,500 species of orchids, 77 of which are endemic to Kinabalu, Nepenthes pitcher plants, and Rafflesia, largest flower in world. The Park also supports 289 species of birds and 290 different types of butterflies.Besides being highest peak in Borneo and whole of South East Asia (between Irian Jaya and Himalayas to be exact), and youngest non-volcanic mountain in world, Mount Kinabalu is extremely climber-friendly and compared to other much lower mountains around world, Mount Kinabalu is an ideal first mountain for novice mountain trekkers to conquer.
The standard climb up Mount Kinabalu is via Kinabalu Summit Trail at Kinabalu National Park (~1,560m above sea level). The first ascent is from starting point at Timpohon Gate, about 4km or 30 minutes drive from Kinabalu National Park Headquarter.
If you prefer to start ascent on Day 1, it is advisable to arrive at Park late morning latest or else, depending on weather, Park may not allow you to do first ascent due to hazardous condition (i.e., fog may be too thick by late evening causing visibility problems and/or trail may be extremely slippery).
Most climbers prefer to stay overnight at Kinabalu National Park upon arrival to not only acclimatize to altitude but also to enjoy magnificent flora and fauna at Park before “assault” on next day/morning.
The first ascent is from Timpohon Gate just after Power Station up to mid-summit Laban Rata Resthouse (or more popularly known as 11,000 ft or ~3,873m). You will first follow crest of a narrow ridge that dips down onto main slopes of Mount Kinabalu itself. A little further on, you will reach a scenic waterfall known as Carson's Falls, named after first Warden of Park. Don't forget to take a sip and fill your water bottles with fresh natural mountain water.
Conservatively, it should take a normal fit person an average 5-6 hours to reach Laban Rata. Participants at annual Mount Kinabalu Climbathon competition went all way up to 13,400ft (4092.5m above sea level) and back in 2 hours. But it is not really about how fast you can reach top. It is about experience of trekking pass different vegetation zones from Oak and Chestnut to mossy and eventually to alpine type of vegetations, and observing rare and exotic flora and fauna on way up.
Besides heated Laban Rata Resthouse, other option for climbers is to stay at unheated mountain huts. There is actually another accommodation option at so-called VIP Lodge, which is more expensive compared to others and also, more difficult to secure (i.e., only two such units available).
