Tips for Climbing Mount Kinabalu - Amazing Borneo Tours

To ensure your own safety and that of the team, and to make the climb an enjoyable and fulfilling one, it is advisable to bear in mind the following:

Overnight in Kinabalu Park or Kundasang Highlands (1500m a.s.l) prior to climb allows you to acclimatize to altitude changes and reduce AMS while climbing
Engaging a mountain guide is compulsory for yourself or your group (Ratio of Max 5 climbers to 1 mountain guide)
Wear comfortable trekking or running shoes with a good grip
Have enough warm clothing for the summit climb
You should feel comfortable and be able to move freely in what you wear (Denim jeans not recommended)
Try to pack your climbing bag at around 4-8Kg (Do not bring too many unnecessary things)
Do not have a heavy breakfast prior to the climb
Try to finish your packed lunch within 1-2 hours from the start of the ascent (To reduce weight)
For any special meal diet such as vegetarians, please inform our Amazing Borneo Tours consultants for arrangement
Some chocolate & energy bars may be satisfying
Trek at a normal pace (Too fast may result high altitude sickness & vomiting, too slow will drain out your energy)
Rest longer at 4th or 5th KM mark – about 10 mins for high altitude acclimatization
Should you feel too tired to carry on, try not to sit or lay down on high altitude, just stand still
Untreated fresh mountain water is available at every shelter; you may refill them at these stops (Bring some water purification tablets)
Boiled water for drinking or refill is available at Pendant Hut. However, it is not available at Laban Rata Restaurant.
Be extra careful with your steps during the wet spell
Do not run at any time while ascending or descending the mountain
Do not run at the summit especially around the 7.4 KM mark (Most dangerous point)
Cover your nose (and mouth) with a scarf in windy condition on high ground
Make extra sure your feet and hands are warm and dry during the final ascent
When descending, try to walk sideway or in a zig-zag way to prevent slipping and reduce pain on joints
Do not bring valuable items
Fit Climber trekking duration (3 to 4 hrs) from Timpohon Gate to Mountain Hut (Panalaban Base Camp)
Average Climber trekking duration (5 to 6 hrs) from Timpohon Gate to Mountain Hut (Panalaban Base Camp)
Unfit Climber trekking duration (7 to 8 hrs) from Timpohon Gate to Mountain Hut (Panalaban Base Camp)
Bring extra Ringgit Cash (No Credit Card available at Panalaban Base Camp)
Trekking Pole available for sale (MYR 45) at Amazing Borneo Help Desk @ Kinabalu Park
Laban Rata Restaurant OPEN 7.00am and CLOSE at 7.30pm (No Food available after 7.30pm)
Laban Rata Grocery Counter Closed at 7.30pm (Selling À la Carte Food, Beverages, Chips, Chocolate Bar, Batteries…etc)
Laban Rata (Non-Heated Dormitory Rooms, Blanket, Bed, Bed Sheet and Pillow provided )
Pendant Hut (Non-Heated Rooms, Sleeping Bag, Bed, Bed Sheet and Pillow provided)
There will no health checks conducted by any authorities during climb registration, so climb at your own risk

It is important that you are well prepared and equipped for the climb to ensure maximum comfort and enjoyment. The average temperature range at Kinabalu Park is 15°C-24°C, along the Timpohon - Summit trail is about 6°C-14°C, and sometimes drop to as low as 2ºC in the wee hours of the morning! As for the weather on the mountain, it can range from sunny to misty to foggy. This is meant to be a good guide to help you in packing for your Mount Kinabalu Climb Trip.

MOUNT KINABALU WEATHER

The best period to climb the mountain is from March to September, as the weather during these months are considered dry. The temperature at the summit of Mount Kinabalu (4,095.2m) drops to freezing 0 °C , Timpohon to Panalaban ranges from 6 °C - 14 °C and Kinabalu Park (foot of mountain) is around 15 °C - 24 °C. Expects passing showers in the mid afternoon as you climb the mountain as it is after all a tropical rainforest and tends to receive higher rainfall.

ENGAGING A POTTER FOR YOUR CLIMB

To engage a porter is fully optional. However should you really require a porter to carry your belongings for you, we suggest that you pack a separate waterproof backpack (for easy carrying by the porter) ready with items that you do not need during the climb to Laban Rata. Porters may not trek at the same speed as you. Their job is simply to carry your belongings to the mountain hut. Valuables, water, medication, snacks, and things that you will need during your hike should always be kept with you. You may engage the porter at Kinabalu Park itself during your climb registration and the porter fees will be payable directly to the porter.

PORTER FEES

DESTINATION	WEIGHT (KG)	RATE (RM)
Timpohon - Laban Rata - Timpohon	10.00	RM 140
Timpohon - Sayat-Sayat - Timpohon	10.00	RM 180
Timpohon - Summit - Timpohon	10.00	RM 200

** Minimum weight is 10 Kgs and additional weight will be charged based on daily rate per Kg

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR CLIMBERS ON MOUNT KINABALU

Identify your Mountain Guide who will display an identification card.
Travel together in your own group and stay with the Mountain Guide at all times.
Follow the instructions of your Mountain Guide.
Alert your Mountain Guide if you face any difficulty.
Believe It or Not, DO NOT SHOUT, SCREAM or CURSE the mountain at any point of time.
Display your climbing permit and show it to Park Officials at the check point at Timpohon Gate, Laban Rata and Sayat-Sayat on your way up and down.
If for any reason, you are separated from your group or the Mountain Guide, please follow the white rope that marks the summit Trail. If visibility is very low or in the dark please hold onto the rope and follow it. (There is a thick white rope leasing all the way from the vegetation belt above Panar Laban to the summit. Use this rope to help climbing up and prevent falling when walking down. PLEASE FOLLOW and USE THE ROPE FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY.
The weather on the Summit area can deteriorate in a matter of minutes. Thick mist may reduce visibility to only 3 meters, and rainstorms and wind of up to 120 km/hr. may occur at times. Please hold on to the ROPE, which will lead you to safety.
If you are separated from your Mountain Guide and lose sight of the ROPE, STOP IMMEDIATELY, stay where you are and blow your whistle to attract attention. PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO FIND YOUR WAY OUT. HELP is definitely on the way. The Park Officials at Sayat-Sayat check point will notice that you are missing.

While climbing to the Summit please make sure to carry with you the followings:

Wear enough warm clothing	(temperature can be freezing at times)
A head torchlight	(to light your way during pre-dawn climb and to signal for help when needed)
A rain coat	(to protect you from rain and wind, and it will slow down the loss of body heat)
A whistle	(only to be used when help is needed. Three short blasts to attract attraction, long continuous blasts for emergency and serious injuries)
Some energy food and water (e.g. extra chocolate, glucose tablets, biscuits)	(for emergency-use when you are waiting for help to arrive)

VIDEO TIPS AND TUTORIALS

HEALTH PREPARATION FOR CLIMBERS

SPECIAL NOTE FROM SABAH PARKS AUTHORITIES & AMAZING BORNEO TOURS!

It is recommended that all climbers should have themselves medically checked before attempting any mountain climb. DO NOT CLIMB If you are suffering from or have a history of the following ailments

Hypertension
Diabetes
Palpitation
Arthritis
Heart disease
Severe Anemia
Peptic ulcers
Epileptic Fits
Obesity (Overweight)
Chronic Asthma
Muscular Cramps
Hepatitis (Jaundice)
Any other sickness or disease that may be triggered by severe cold, exertion, and high altitude.

Climbing Mount Kinabalu is usually a "once in a lifetime" experience for most people, so it is vital that proper preparations are made beforehand. With superior information and sufficient time to prepare, you stand an extremely good chance of reaching the summit.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Although the majority of routes leading to the summit of Kinabalu require no technical climbing skills, some kind of training beforehand is important. It is important to remember that you will be hiking on surfaces with varying angles which may put lots of stress on your ankles and knees. It is also worth remembering that most of the injuries which occur on Mount Kinabalu happen on the way down. When climbing Mount Kinabalu, take a slow pace to allow your body to acclimatize to the altitude, as at 3000 meters, you only have 70% of the oxygen you would normally have at sea-level

To climb Mount Kinabalu

You need to be in decent physical condition.
You must not have heart or lung problems.
You need healthy knees and ankles.
Take your time and know your physical limitations.

Consult your personal physician if

You are taking any kind of medication.
You have any other health problems.

If you plan to take any medication during your climb, you must consult your doctor prior to departure. The effects of medications may vary with altitude and stress. All climbers should consult their doctor or a specialized travel clinic well in advance of their trip.

Grocery Counter (Laban Rata Resthouse)

Laban Rata Resthouse Grocery Counter

À la Carte All Day Dining

Food and beverage items are available at the Grocery Counter.
The menu and price list is provided below for your reference.

Food Categories	Food Menu	Price (Nett)
Soup	Tom Yum Mee Hoon Yoom Yum Noodle Tom Yum Soup Vegetable Soup	RM20 RM20 RM20 RM20
Fried Rice	Yong Chow Fried Rice	RM20
Porridge	Choice of Chicken / Egg	RM20
Noodle / Mee Hoon	Stir Fried Noodles Cantonese Style Wet Noodle Noodle Soup Stir Fried Bee Hoon Cantonese Style Wet Bee Hoon Bee Hoon Noodle Soup	RM25 RM20 RM20 RM25 RM20 RM20
Instant Noodle	Chicken Flavour Curry Flavour Asam Laksa Flavour Egg	RM15 RM15 RM15 RM5
Sandwich Variety	Tuna Egg Cheese	RM20 RM20 RM20

Buffet Categories	Food Menu	Price (Nett)
Buffet	Supper (2:00AM - 3:30AM) Breakfast (7:30AM - 10:30AM) Dinner (4:30PM - 7:00PM)	RM60 RM75 RM100

Beverage Categories	Beverage Menu	Price (Nett)
Coffee	Local Tenom Robusta Coffee	RM13
Tea	Sabah Tea Camellia Sinensis Ginger Tea	RM14 RM12
Soft Drinks	Milo Nescafe Hot Water Mug	RM15 RM14 RM2
Bottle Water	Bleu Drinking Water 500ML Drinking Water 1.5L	RM9 RM15
Soft Drinks	Coca Cola Diet Coke Sprite 100 Plus	RM24 RM22 RM19 RM18

** All items are available from 10.30 am until 7:00 pm.

Other Items Available at Laban Rata Grocery Counter include:

Batteries
Cigarettes
Oral Medications such as Paracetamol
Eye Drops & Ointment
Chocolates, Biscuits & Chips
Sanitary Pads
Tissue Paper
Combs & Toothbrush
Disposable shavers
Body Lotion
Lip Balm
T-shirts
Gloves & Beanie/Winter Hat
Disposable Raincoat/Ponchos
Portable Oxygen Inhaler
Anti-slip Waterproof Rubber Black Shoe (Adidas Kampung)

** Please note that the items in this list are not comprehensive and not always readily available. This list serves as a guideline only. Please ensure you bring your own necessary items up the mountain if that is considered important to you.