Mt. Kinabalu (4101 M / 13,455 ft)

Mt. Kinabalu is at the northeastern tip of Borneo in the State of Sabah in Eastern Malaysia. The closest international access point is Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Trails are well marked, the hike is moderately strenuous, and the scenery from the peak is spectacular. On a scale of 1-5, this hike is a 5!

Ever since Masami suffered altitude sickness while climbing Mt. Whitney in California, she has not attempted to climb any mountain higher than 3,350 M / 11,000 feet. This time she was extra careful. A slow climb while drinking lots of water, and frequent stops got Wes and Masami to the summit without any altitude sickness symptoms. Masami only suffered a mild headache during the night.

We left the hut at 2:30 AM the next day and arrived at the peak just in time for the beautiful sunrise. The hike down to the trailhead was much harder than the hike up. The hot springs at Poring Hot Springs that night felt sooo good to our tortured muscles.

Porters carry 20kg loads up and down the mountain twice a day to replenish supplies at the lodges at mid station. Pitcher plants that gain nourishment from drowning and digesting insects.
The trail. Mid station lodge and our guide on the balcony.

Dawn at the peak. The peak. It was freezing.

Our guide, Wes, and Masami. In front of South Peak (3933m).

Useful information:  (RM = Ringgit Malaysian) Prices below are from August 1999 and may have changed.
Get Ringgit at the airport. There is no currency exchange at Kinabalu National Park, and they don't accept credit cards or foreign cash. There is a cash machine on the Cirrus and Plus networks and a money changer at the airport.

Book lodging in advance. Telephone the Sabah Parks Office in Kota Kinabalu at +60-88-211-881. Payment can be done via credit card on a faxed reservation request. There are several price ranges for lodging at the base of the mountain. At mid point, DEFINITELY book a reservation at the Laban Rata. Otherwise, you will need to walk a fair distance to the shower and cafeteria. None of the lodging has hot water (the shower is ICE cold). At mid point, only Laban Rata has a heater.

From Kota Kinabalu airport, take a taxi (RM 12) to the "T-U-T bus terminal where the buses to Mt. Kinabalu (or Ranau) depart". There are 2 bus terminals, one for busses going North and the other for busses going South. The taxi driver will know where to drop you off.

The mini bus to Ranau departs when it fills with 10 passengers. The fee is RM 10 per person and the ride is about 1.5 hours to the mountain. Tell the bus driver to drop you off at the Kinabalu National Park which is between Kota Kinabalu and Ranau.

The hike:
Day 1: 6 km from the trail head to Laban Rata.
Day 2: 2.7 km from Laban Rata to the peak and descend to the bottom.
Fresh potable spring water is available along the way. Food is available at mid point. Pack a head-lamp, warm jacket, gloves, long pants, boots, shorts, toilet paper, water bottle, poncho or umbrella.

Prices:
Taxi from airport to TUT bus terminal  RM 12
Bus from Kota Kinabalu to Kinabalu National Park  RM 10 / person
Food at restaurant at base  about RM 5 / plate
Entry fee to Kinabalu National Park  RM 3 / person
Twin bed cabin at base of mountain  RM 58 / room
Luggage storage at the base  RM 10 / piece
Trail Entry fee  RM 50 / person
Mandatory accident insurance  RM 3.50 / person
Mandatory guide for 2 days RM 60 for 1-3 people, RM 64 for 4-8 people (find another group to pair up with to reduce the guide fee per person)
Bus from the Administration Office to the trail head  RM 20 / bus (again, the more people in your group, the cheaper the bus fee per person)
Laban Rata  RM 29 / person
Towel or heavy blanket rental at Laban Rata  RM 5
Food at cafeteria at Laban Rata  about RM 6 / plate
Bus from Kinabalu National Park to airport  RM 15 / person (extra RM 5 / person to be taken to the airport instead of the Kota Kinabalu bus terminal)
Recommended spare cash: RM 200 will get you from any location around Mt. Kinabalu to the Kota Kinabalu Airport by taxi in case of emergency.