Tough work! |
Day Two of the Mount Kinabalu ClimbAlarm clocks ring out at 2am for the early climb up the last part of the mountain. Breakfast is served at Laban Rata guesthouse from 1am and it is advisable to get some calories on board for the very long day ahead! The rock faces can be extremely steep and the use of rope is essential to haul yourself up as you gasp for air! |
Climbing Mount Kinabalu - Day Two  Sayat Sayat hut, at 3680 metres is the last mountain hut before the summit plateau of Mount Kinabalu. This check point is here to ensure you have a proper guide and that you are wearing your climbing pass. Quite a few people only go as far as Sayat Sayat and turn back. This is itself is a massive achievement to get this far. The effects of altitude sickness really start to kick in as you approach 4000 metres above sea level. There is actually a hut at Sayat Sayat where you can stay the night. It is very sparse and involves a very long first day but of course you do not have to get up as early as the people staying further down the mountain.  6:15am and sunrise from the summit of Mount Kinabalu. Don't get up here too early as waiting around can be very cold! If you can time it that you arrive just in time for sunrise then that's better.
 Daylight at last and that rewarding feeling of making it to the highest point in South east Asia at 4095m above sea level. The hardest part will be fighting your way to the summit post in amongst all the people!
 The summit post of Taman Kinabalu registering that you are 4095 metres above sea level. Low's Peak was named after a British Colonial chap called Low who first summitted Mount Kinabalu. Of course he probably was n't the first!
 Looking down from the summit at a few of the people waiting their turn for the summit photo.
 Looking back at the summit of Mount Kinabalu. it can get pretty crowded up there at dawn!
 Looking towards the South Peak of Mount Kinabalu on the way back down with Jimmy our guide.
 The famous donkey's ears of Mount Kinabalu.
 Looking back up at Low's Peak from where we have just descended.
 The shadow of Lows Peak in the distance.
 The quick exodus back through the clouds.
 The welcome site of Laban Rata on the way back down for breakfast number 2. Most people generally stop here as it is about 9am by the time you get back down to Laban Rata. They serve breakfast and you can chill out before the very taxing descent.
 The final picture from the rock face looking down through the clouds to the lowlands and the Crocker mountain range poking up in the distance.
A quick word about the descent. If you are not terribly fit you might find the descent harder than the ascent! Walking down these big steps is a real test for the leg muscles that you rarely use! It is not unknown for guides to carry climbers down when they become jelly legged. Finally enjoy the trip, tip your guide and make sure you buy the very handsome certificate if you make the summit of Mount Kinabalu. |
|
After Kinabalu Park >>> |
|
Back to top
