Guide to Climbing Mt.K (Timpohon route)

Coloured certificate for reaching the peak

#np Sophistication isn't what you wear or who you know -Taylor Swift "Better than Revenge"

So I climbed Mt.Kinabalu for the second time on 20th Jan 2014, Monday. Never done a post on my first trip up cause I had no good photos, my phone camera was shitty, I didn't wanna bring any extra weights (camera) and yap lost his camera to the mountains, on the peak actually. So *poof* there goes all our pictures.

BUT I HAVE PROOF!!

The first time up was with my F6Sc classmates in 2012. We went up using the Mesilau road which is around 2km longer than Timpohon road. But more lush and greenery.


This time there's 5 of us. 2 of my good friends from Form 6, my lil sis and her friend.
Now let the pictures guide you through!

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Breakfast for climbers! there's apple, sandwich and a bottle of water in there. You get this from the registration area, which is inside the National Park. Same place you meet your guide and if you want porter service, please request here as well.

Porter service: Human transportation whereby they help you carry your stuff with a charge. Now due to inflation it has gone up to RM10 for 1kg for going up to laban rata and coming back down. Still pretty cheap considering it is HUMAN transportation service.

ps: All slides are arranged in a chronological order. 

#tip: you're not allowed to pick anything up. Hence their tagline...
take nothing but photographs,
leave nothing but footprints.

I know it sounds crazily superstitious that you have to respect the mountain, no insults, taking things or picking any flowers. But things DO happen and plus prevention is always better than cure, right?  Look  at the bright side, you have a pretty card as a momento.

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#tip: Don't rest for too long, a few minutes is good enough. The longer you rest, the more tired you become.

1km from Laban Rata and the path began to look like waterfall. I mean it's already hard enough to get there without the rain, with it, it's just killer man. Clothes and shoes were pretty much soaked and me, drenched in rainwater and sweat. Disgusting, i know...

Luckily I had one of my best friends with me and we sang our way up, yes, singing cause it was very motivating singing Jordin Spark's One Step at a Time and Miley Cyrus's The Climb. out of tune, pitch and melody. Ahh~ good times :) 

Sign our names on a piece of paper showing that we returned safely, and then a car drove us back to the registration area where we get our lunch buffet. Also the very same place you print your certificates (optional).

Anyways, a few advices before I end my post:
1) Be prepared for any kind of weather. No rain, god bless you. Rain, at least you're prepared. 

Bring: 
> raincoats (minimum 2), windbreaker, socks (min. 2 pairs),
> hairdryer (you'll thank me later, obviously not for your hair-optional).
The temperature up there is less than 10 Degree Celsius depending on which season, but it's always very humid, so it feels as if whatever you're wearing is damp. 
> Listerine, perfume (odour, it'd be too cold to shower)
> Snacks (the pringles up there cost like RM18), 
> MAGGI cup (if you dont wanna go down all the way to Laban Rata for supper before the 2am climb)
> Plastic (for your feet in case your shoes are wet). Plastic at Laban Rata cost like RM1 each.
Torchlight/ Head torch for going up the peak at 2am

2) Respect the mountain

3) Dont harm any plants or animals on your way up. Just take pictures.

4) Bring meds for diarrhea and stuff. Cause on the way up/down there are tanks for consumption but they're kinda rusty and untreated. But they're really sweet and refreshing. 

5) You have to book 3-6 months before the climb.

6) I might have post some tips above, just refer to those...

As you know, this is based on my experience, and as I have mentioned before, there are different hostels so you don't have to completely follow what I wrote, especially for the "to-brings", this is just some guide, so please do your own research properly as well. For those who have not conquered the mountain, I hope you'll put it under your resolution this year and for those who did, congratulations~ 

credits to yap for half of the pictures posted

There are a few places to stay in, and since I've only stayed in Gunting Lagadan, I can only write about this place. Meaning, I have no idea what facilities they provide in other hostels. 

At Gunting Lagadan, you could be bunking with complete strangers. Lights out at 9pm, and those who are climbing up to the summit are suppose to wake up at 2am to get ready. From here to the summit is about 1-2km away(depending on where you're staying). You can leave your belongings in the room. 

#tips: Go up to the summit with thick clothes, windbreaker, torch light/head torch, perseverance and strong mental power.

Okayy, as you've noticed I do not have any peak's picture, why? Cause I didn't go to the top. My shoes were soaking wet and I was not prepared for the horrible weather coming up so I've decided what every 2nd-time-up-climber would have done. sleep in :D 

Don't judge me, my 2 besties who are supposedly in tip-top condition slept in as well. Anyways, this was when I've decided I would collect all the different types of certs.

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