What it takes to climb South East Asia Highest Mountain
What it takes to climb South East Asia Highest Mountain
Which is the highest mountain in South East Asia? Is it Mount Puncak Jaya located in Indonesia but on the plate of Oceania region? Or is it one of the Himalaya mountain range located in North Myanmar? Or is it the famous proclaimed Mount Kinabalu located in East Malaysia state, Sabah?
Relevant bodies have confirmed that the title shall goes to…. * Drumrolls* ….
Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia! And of course, the State proudly displayed this honor by integrating the holy mountain as part of its state flag.
Reason being there are too many mountain peaks found in North Myanmar and many of them are not measure at this point of time. As for Mount Puncak Jaya in Indonesia, it is considered as not in South East Asia region.
So the best way to scale the highest mountain in SEA would be to make use of AirAsia flight promotion from Singapore to Kota Kinbabalu. At SGD$10 base fare only! *Jump for Joy* Being in the travel industry, of course SGD$10 is for one way only and it has yet to add in the ever increasing fuel surcharges and airport taxes. But having to say that, it is still a good bargain! Total damage is at SGD$144 (return trip all-in).
So next question is how do one prepare for this mountain?
Basically, for this coming trip, my goal would be challenge myself of overcoming height phobia. Yes, I got to admit my legs would tend to turn jelly whenever I look down from a height. But after getting persuade that even 7 year old kid and 80 yrs old granddad could do it, why not an able adult?! So why not, I had taken up the challenge. And yes, I will be looking forward to get the certificate of achievement.
No mountaineering experience? Lack of fitness to scale mountain? As the saying goes, if you can climb a ladder, you can definitely walk the torq! It starts at 3,400m and ends at 3,800m above sea level!
Just in case, you will be asking how fun it would be? Below is a picture of how it looks like, courtesy of Amazing Borneo Tours Sdn Bhd.
Trip Itinerary
| 2 Days 1 Night Walk the Torq – Full Service itineraryFor those who do not have enough time but are fit, suitable for ages 10 and up | |
| Day 1 | |
| 6:30 am | Transport pick up at Kota Kinabalu town hotel lobby |
| 8:00 am | Arrive at Kinabalu Park HQ. (it will take about 1hr 45 min from Kota Kinabalu to the Park HQ)Register at Mountain Torq’s and Kinabalu Park’s offices (check the spelling of your name to be printed on your successful certificate)Meet your appointed Sabah Parks’ mountain guide and collect your lunch box |
| 8:30 am | Start hiking up Mt Kinabalu from Timpohon Gate @ 1,866m with Mountain Guide |
| 3:00 pm | Arrive at Pendant Hut @ 3,289m and settle in |
| 3:30 pm | Attend the mandatory via ferrata familiarization in Pendant Hut and meet your Mountain Torq trainer |
| 6:00 pm | Dinner at Laban Rata’s canteen |
| 8:00 pm | Lights out |
| Day 2 | |
| 1:30 am | Wake up and early morning supper |
| 2:30 am | Start hiking up to the summit with your Sabah Parks’ mountain guide |
| 5:40 am | Catch the sunrise on Low’s Peak |
| 6:00 am | Descent from Low’s Peak to meet your Mountain Torq trainer |
| 7:15 am | Meet your via ferrata trainer at Sayat Sayat Hut @ 3,668m for your Walk the Torq via ferrataexperience (introductory via ferrata, French grade PD) |
| 9:30 am | Return to Pendant Hut for a well earned breakfast |
| 11:00 am | Check out of Pendant Hut and descent to Timpohon Gate with your Sabah Parks’ mountain guide |
| 5:00 pm | Arrive at Timpohon Gate.Head to the Park HQ to collect your successful certificates, buy some souvenirsMeet your transport driver and back down to your Kota Kinabalu town hotel |
One would often need to book in advance for such mountain trekking trip. Reason being there are limited accommodation slots high up the mountain. Either you will be spending the night at Pendant Hut or Laban Rata.
With the assistance of friends back in Kota Kinabalu, I have signed up for the tour package with Borneo Attractions Holiday Sdn Bhd as the price is most competitive.
Join me as I embark my adventure with Borneo Holidays on climbing Mount Kinabalu. I will be sharing on my past experience of River rafting at Pandas River (Grade 4-5) which set my adrenaline pumping and as you would guess by now, I have also signed up for River Rafting as well for coming trip in January 2015!
Oops, till then, better exercise and ensure my fitness allows me to scale what is the highest peak in South East Asia! Mount Kinabalu (Low peak), here I come!
You can access more packages from them at: borneoattractions.com
Categories: Asia Region
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