Mt Kinabalu Nov 2007

Mt Kinabalu from the Park HQ Low's Peak

Mt Kinabalu at 4095.2 m is the highest peak between the Himalayas and the mountains in Irian Jaya(New Guinea). The 753.7 square km Kinabalu Park (a world heritage site) is the dominating feature which still offers a great deal to see and experience.

The trail to the summit winds along the southern side of the mountain.
It is an 8 1/2 km (5 1/2mile) trek to the top.The trek up to the summit takes 2 days. A 15 min 4 km drive from the Park HQ(1554m) will take us to the start of the summit trail at Timpohon Gate (1830m).

From Timpohon gate, we hike past the Carsons Waterfall followed by a steep 25 min climb to the first shelter, Pondok kandis at 1981m.
Continuing another 15 min, we will pass Pondok Ubah (2095m). Another 25 min will bring us to Pondok Lowi (2286m) on the ridge of the mossy cloud forest.

The trail soon splits leading to the Sabah Radio and Television Station on the left and continuation of the summit trail on the right.Here the trail winds tru dwarf forest. The trees are often enveloped in clouds. After 35 min of trekking, we reach Pondok Mempening (2518m)beforearriving at Layang Layang staff quarters (2621m) after another 30 min trek.This is an ideal place for a lunch stop with a good view to the east.

As we continue trekking, we will soon be climbing over an outcrop of ultra basic soil. In spite of their stunted appearance, the Leptospermum and Dacrydium trees may be hundreds years of years old here.The Nepenthes villosa ( Periuk Kera) is the highest growing pitcher plant that might be seen along the trail. We will pass the 5th and 6th shelter at 2842m and 3000m.

40 min further along the trail are the usual overnight stop huts (Laban Rata) at 3352m. At this altitude, there is not much vegetation and u will be standing on bare granite rocks.

Before dawn, trekkers will set out for the peak. A 45min walk will bring you to Sayat Sayat. This is the highest mountain hut at 3810m.

From Sayat Sayat it takes an hour to reach Low's Peak. Ropes are attached to the rocks in sheer areas to ease the steep climb. Pearched on Low's Peak, you can watch the sun rise over Borneo .
The shinning South China Sea commes into view in the West and a 1 1/2 km deep gully plunges into the northeast.

By mid morning, clouds and mist will envelope the summit and all views will be lost.

Kinabatangan Wildlife Discovery

The Kinabatangan River (Sungai Kinabatangan) is located in Sabah, eastern Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. It is the second longest river in Malaysia, with a length of 560 kilometers from its headwaters in the mountains of southwest Sabah, to its outlet at the Sulu Sea, east of Sandakan.

Kinabatangan is known for its remarkable wildlife and fascinating habitats such as limestone caves , riverine forest, freshwater swamp forest, oxbow lakes and salty mangrove swamps near the coast.


In 1997, 270 square kilometres of the lower Kinabatangan floodplain was declared a protected area, and in 2001 this designation was upgraded to that of "bird sanctuary", largely through the efforts of the World Wide Fund for Nature. However, further efforts to have the area declared a "wildlife refuge" or even "national park" have been opposed by the logging industry, and oil palm plantation owners seeking to expand their cultivated land.

We are planning to visit this area to view what is remaining of the forests and also view the transition zone of it with the palm oil estate.


View photos of Sandakan and Kinabatangan

2008 - What lies ahead

Gathering of few friends created this idea. With the 6th anniversary of Everyone Can Fly, we thought now we should have 'Everyone Can Climb. The dive part came afterwards as one of us is a scuba diving addict.

Our plan is to arrange reasonably cheap excursions into the Malaysian Nature Heritage so that we and our friends can enjoy them. Prices are kept low by eliminating middle men and also negotiating with the service providers directly.

So far planned in 2008 are:
January - Gunung Korbu
February - yet to be decided
March 2008 - Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary
April 2008 - The gang are going to learn Open Water in Redang
May 2008 - The 2nd trip to Mount Kinabalu (3D2N)

Trips that are arranged have been tried and tested by our Chief Explorer - Avthar.
If anyone is interested, please do contact us at zzz_junkie@yahoo.com or avthar8@yahoo.com