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Mount Kinabalu | bgcolor=#e7dcc3 colspan=2|Mount Kinabalu | lign=center colspan=2|225px
Mt. Kinabalu | | gcolor=#e7dcc3|Elevation: | 4,095.2 m (13,435 ft) | | gcolor=#e7dcc3|Latitude: | 06° 05′ N | | gcolor=#e7dcc3|Longitude: | 116° 33′ E | | gcolor=#e7dcc3|Location: | Sabah, Borneo | | gcolor=#e7dcc3|Range: | Crocker Range | | gcolor=#e7dcc3|First ascent: | 1858 by H. Low and Spencer | | gcolor=#e7dcc3|Easiest route: | hike | Situated in Malaysia, Mount Kinabalu is Southeast Asia's third highest mountain behind Hkakabo Razi in Myanmar and Puncak Jaya in Indonesia, at 4095 m above sea level. The main peak of the mountain can be climbed by a person of normal health, and requires no mountaineering equipment. Other peaks along the massif, however, require rock climbing skills. The mountain is contained within a state (formerly national) park, and features a large variety of flora, including wild pitcher plants and orchids. Mount Kinabalu is most easily reached from Kota Kinabalu, the administrative capital of Sabah. Huts within Kinabalu State Park can be reserved by telephoning the park's authority. Climbing route A typical ascent of the mountain starts at the base camp where a local guide must be hired. Using the guide is an essential safety precaution. In 2002 two teenage tourists were separated from their guide near the top by fog and were found dead from exposure a day later after closure of the mountain top for a thorough search. It is advisable to wear strong, well fitting walking boots with two pairs of thick socks to reduce blistering. Take warm and waterproof clothing, a torch / flashlight and 2 litres of water. The climbers spend the first night at the base camp, at an altitude of about 1200 metres / 4,000 ft. The next day, walk 1 mile or 2 km to the Park gate and start the 4 mile / 6 km ascent to a small base "hut" at around 3,000 metres / 10,000 ft. A young and fit person may be able to do this in 3 hours. Older and less fit people can take up to 8 hours. It's a hard walk, averaging 1 step up for every 2 steps horizontally, through thick woods. Its hot and sweaty, as long as its not raining, in which case its cold. Local porters bringing 30 kg supplies to the hut on their backs, many being old women, spring past the tourists. There is no end in sight until 10 minutes before the hut where the sound of a loud waterfall is heard. Hot food and drink is available at the hut as are heated rooms, if you arrive early enough. The final 1,000 metre / 3,000 ft, ascent, covering 1.5 miles / 2.5 km, starts at 3 am the next day and takes 3 hours. It's dark, the path is very narrow and steep. Here a torch / flashlight is essential. There are many opportunities to twist ankles. At the start the hundred or more climbers and guides are all together in one long line, so separation is difficult. There is a thick guide rope to hold on to. The mountain slope quickly becomes almost vertical as the endless, twisting path climbs out of the vegetated part of the mountain onto solid rock. Once on the rock, the effects of altitude become more apparent. Some people suffer from altitude sickness and must return immediately to the bottom of the mountain. Breathing becomes much more laboured. Every step requires a breath and some will-power. The leg muscles, already aching from the ascent of the previous day are unwilling. The pace of the ascent for the last 1 mile / 1.5 km slows to a shuffle with frequent breaks. The lights of Kota Kinabalu 40 miles (60 km) away are visible from this part of the mountain. Eventually, approaching 6 am, after scrambling over huge boulders on the final "pyramid" a metal plaque announces the summit just in time for dawn. The descent is quick but equally painful as the ascent: knee joints, ankle joints and toes suffer as the climbers descend 3,000 metres / 9,000 ft in 5 hours. Tales Some believe Kina-balu means Chinese widow, from the word "China" and "Balu" malay word for widow. An alternative derivation is from Kadazan dusun phrase Aki Nabalu meeting "The revered place of dead". http://www.infosabah.com.my/sabah/mtk/mtk.htm External links Kinabalu
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