Malaysia Travel - Hill Hiking & Mount Climbing: May 2012

Mount Kota Kinabalu is located in the Sabah State of East Malaysia on the island of Borneo with the Low's peak height at 4,095.2 metres (13,436 ft) above sea level. This is the highest moutain in Borneo's Crocker Range in Southeast Asia and protected as Kinabalu National Park.

Mount Kinabalu and it surroundings are famous in wildlife such as the gigantic Rafflesia plants and Orangutan. There are tremendous biological and botanical species of plant, birds and mammalian.

Climbing route :
There are two main trails. One is the Timpohon trail starting point at Timpohon gate at 1,866 meters, reaching here either by bus or walking, which is 6km to ascent to Laban Rata, the mid-level with Resthouse at 3,270 meters for hikers to stay over night to complete the Low's peak climb on the next day. One day to ascent and descend on the 2nd day. The other trail is the Mesilau trail starting point at Mesilau Nature Resort which is 8km to ascent to Laban Rata. This trail with better scenic view and good for people who are interested in plants and wildlife. adding 2km to the ascent. The two trails meet about 2km before the Laban Rata. Mount Kota Kinabalu is developed as one of the most visited tourist spot, the trail to the Laban Rata is broader and certain areas along the trail with proper steep staircase for ease of climb. In fact, Low's Peak can be climbed pretty easily by a person in good physical condition. Walking stick might need for some people when descend from the Laban Rata. Walking stick is not necessary for the climb to the Low's peak as most of the path would require to use your 2 hands to hold the rope. Minimum level of rock climbing skills are required.

Awareness :
Less people might suffer from acute altitude sickness on the day 1 climb to Laban Rata but some people may suffer it on the 2nd day climb to the Low'speak. It depends on the situation that certain people after taking pills for acute altitude sickness, the symptom would go away or minimized. If the symptom persists, it is advisable to return immediately to the lower altitude.

Weather :
In Sabah the rainy seasons are from October to January during the north east monsoon and from May to July during south west monsoon. The park are clear early mornings, followed by cloudy mid-morning that the mountains will be covered by mist mid-day. Showers usually occur on the upper slopes in the afternoon.

Temperature : Temperature at the Laban Rata around 6-10 degree celcius. The Low's peak around 2 degree celcius. When rain may drop to 0 degree.

How to get there :
From Kota Kinabalu town to Timpohon gate may take 2 hours. To Mesilau Nature resort, the start point for
Mesilau trail may take around 2-2.5hours. Mesilau Nature Resort is 15 km away past Kinabalu Park HQ. To reach the resort, follow the highway past the Kinabalu Park HQ, 6 km down to Kundasang. As such, it is advisable to stay overnight at Kundasang which takes 10-20 minutes to both trails.

Facilities : Toilets and Shelters are available almost every half KM distance and at the Laban Rata Resthouse. Cold shower only available at the Laban Rata Resthouse. Unfiltered water is refillable at most of the Shelters.It depends on individual situation, if worry about stomach pain, use of purification capsule is advisable.

Average Trekking Time : Majority of climbers choose Timpohon gate trail (6KM trail) instead of Mesilau trail (8KM trail with more scenic views). Most people complete the climb with Timpohon gate in 3 - 6 hours. Porters are available to be hired to carry your belongings up to the Laban rata Resthouse. Food and beverages are served at Laban Rata. No hot water available and you can only take the cold shower or wipe depends on your need. Most people would start next day climb from Laban Rata to Low's peak around 1am or 2am and it takes 2 - 4 hours to climb to the peak. 95% of the climb is on naked solid rock.

Terrain : Wooden staircase and jungle tracks for Timpohon and Mesilay trail. Rocky surface and wooden
staircase along the summit trail from the Laban Rata.

Attractions : The low's peak is the place where you could see sunrise from above the clouds. Squirrels can be spotted at certain resthouse along the trails and not like other mountains, it is cooling along the trail and

Things to bring : Walking stick might
be necessary for those who need to reduce the stress on their knee when descend from Laban Rata and minimum use when descend from the Low's peak.

Laban Rata Resthouse

Sun Rise view at the Low's peak

picture displayed in 1 Ringgit note

Gunung Nunang is located in Peninsular Malaysia with the height of 1,493 metres (4,898 ft). This is the highest mountain in Selangor state which is part of the Titiwangsa Mountains.

How to get there :
Coordinate on GPS or Google map : 3.220216,101.882744
Travel on Jalan Cheras towards Ulu Langat. The entrance of "Hutan Lipur Gunung Nuang" is around Kampung Kuala Pansoon and the trek starts here.
Car park available or park along the road side.

Facilities : Toilet with shower available at entrance but not on the mountain.

Average Trekking Time : It normally takes about 1 - 1.5 hours to cross a no. of streams and hike on the trail along with many bamboo before the actual trek to the camp Lolo, camp Pacat and camp Pengasih. It takes 2 - 3 hours to trek to camp Pacat and 1 - 2 hours to camp Pengasih.

Terrain : 1st 1 - 1.5 hours in normal trail with bamboo trees along the trail. After crossing the 1st stream, the actual trek starts with muddy steep terrain.

Attractions : Not like some other mountains that has beautiful view but this is a one of the good training ground for Mount KK as the trail is long and steep starting from camp Lolo. Along the first one hour path, many bamboo trees and this cannot be found in other mountains in Malaysia. There are 3 camping areas - camp Lolo, camp Pacat and camp Pengasih whereby many hikers stay overnight at camp Lolo as there is a nearby stream and continue their trek to the peak on the next day. Gunung Nuang is said full of leeches but not really the fact.

Things to bring : Walking stick might be necessary for those who need to reduce the stress on their knee when descend from the top.