Before Sipidan...Mt. Kinabalu?

[Scuba Susie]

Hey you great divers out there,
We have decided to go back to Sipidan for our yearly dive trip. Was there in May 06 and loved it! I was thinking of hiking Mt. Kinabalu before we go diving. Has anyone done this hike? I know you have to acclimatize, go with a guide, arrange your lodgings WELL in advance etc. What I want to know is, is it really THAT beautiful? I love hiking and have done Mt. Washinton on the East Coast and Mt. Whitney on the West Coast of the US. I am in good shape and love an adventure. Any tips/advise from someone who has been there? Would love to hear from ya!
Thanks a bunch!
Susie

 

[Mike Veitch]

you many want to ask a mod to move this to Malaysia section as you will probably get more answers that way.

I havn't done it myself but the people i know who have say its a very nice hike

 

[Scuba Susie]

Mr. or Madam Moderator,
I thought I was IN the Malaysia forum and posted this in the wrong forum. Can you move it?
Thanks a bunch,
Susie

 

[MatD4D]

I climbed Mt Kinabalu a few years ago. It's worth doing, it only takes a day and a half after all. Book the accommodation in advance because there's limited space and it gets booked up. The hike up to the accommodations takes half a day or so. It's a very pleasant hike, not too hard and you meet lots of people to chat to along the path. There isn't much of a view because of all the trees. The good views come the next morning when you get above the tree line. Your guide wakes you before sunrise so that you get to the top as the sun comes up. If you are lucky and it's not a clowdy day the views are wonderful. It'll then take a few hours to get back down and you can be back in KK that evening or head the other way towards Sandakan.

 

[gabyne]

I did the climb back in 2003 and liked it a lot. I had problems with the altitude, got strong headache and problems with the air on the last part (above 3,500 m). I should have acclimatized myself but we went from the coast (KK) to about 1,500 m were we started the climb, then overnighted and at 2 a.m. or so we got up to start the last part.

I've got some images on my website:

Klettern, Bergsteigen Malaysia

Before and after we stayed at the Shangri La Tanjung Aru which was VERY nice.

 

[caringbah]

We did the climb a couple of years ago and used Diethelm Travel in Kota Kinabalu. You may not be able to get a room in the heated lodge but as long as you hire a sleeping bag the non - heated lodge is ok. Take plenty of warm gear, the temperature was about 4ºC at the summit but felt colder.
The walk back down can be hard on the legs so try and give yourself a day or 2 before diving

 

[Lj82]

This may sound abit off topic but.....

Why is a question about Sipadan/Kinabalu in the Indonesian forum instead of the Singapore/Malaysia forum?


I'm interested in doing KK and Sipadan in one trip too..
But unfortunately won't be able to do it in the near future...
Good luck and have fun for your trip~!