Mt Kinabalu Tips For Beginners

Tips For Beginners

1. Food & Water

You will get thirsty. Carry a small mug with you for the first part of the climb. There are several huts or pondoks along the way. Water and basic bathroom facilities are provided. Just turn on the taps, fill your mugs and drink all you want. No need to carry any bottled water. At Laban Rata, hot water is sold at the canteen. Bring along a small thermos flask and lots of 3 in 1 mixes.

Have a hot meal before the climb. Instant noodle soup would be nice. During the first part of the climb, you can snack on Mars bars, Kit Kat etc. Dried fruits and candy are also good. Target to reach Laban Rata at noon or even slightly earlier if you’re on the traditional route. Have your lunch at the canteen. The food isn’t fantastic, but it’s edible.

Breakfast at 3.00am won’t be easy to come by. Have some biscuits ready. If you’ve bought some hot water the night before, you can make some coffee. If you really must have some instant noodles, there are cooking facilities at the unheated huts around Laban Rata. Pop by at their kitchen, boil some water in the kettle and make a cup of noodles with it. Even a hot light snack like that will make a tremendous difference.

2. Dress Code

The is a high tendency to overdress for the first part of the climb. Many beginners don’t realise that they will sweat under exertion even though the ambient temperature may be in the teens. Always dress lightly for this part of the climb. Bicycle shorts and polyester T-shirt are perfectly fine. As you’re chugging up the steps, you’ll feel warm. Once you take a break, you may shiver when a gust of wind comes along. Keep a windbreaker handy.

Even if it’s not raining, most climbers will arrive at Laban Rata soaking wet. Change out of your wet clothing immediately. Have a hot shower in the bathroom and change into a nice, dry set of clothing. A wool/fleece sweater/jacket would be appropriate.

For the final push, you’re dealing with temperatures around 0 deg C. Have a good insulating layer like thick fleece under your windbreaker. Never wear jeans or any soakable colthing for this part of the climb. Wear a pair of polyester tights under water-resistant but breathable nylon pants. You can find them at many sports shops.

Remember that a lot of heat is lost from the head. A fleece cap under your windbreaker hood will make things a lot more comfortable. A balaclava is also useful if you don’t want to keep wiping condensation from your nose. Waterproof gloves are essential for protecting your fingers. Wear good trekking boots and wool socks. Don’t wear running shoes. Kinabalu will reduce them to shreds. Don’t wear an old pair of shoes that you are about to throw away. Many climbers have regretted it when their soles came off at Pondok Nowhere.

3. Training & Technique

This is a non-technical but highly strenuous climb - especially for those who are attempting the Mesilau Trail. The most appropriate training exercise would be stair-climbing. Find a 30-storey building, climb up and down 100 times. That’s what Kinabalu is about. Get a new pair of boots. Train in them.

For any part of the climb, pace yourself. Once above 3000m, the effects of altitude will set in. You’ll find yourself breathless upon exertion. Go slow, go steady, don’t stop too often. Keep rests at the pondoks under 10 minutes.

Beyond Laban Rata, soil gives way to rocks. It is rather steep above Sayat Sayat. Thick fixed ropes hang from the rockface. A traffic jam often occurs here because tired and inexperienced climbers hog the ropes. Remember to let your feet do the walking. Don’t hold tight on the rope and lean backwards. You will swing like a pendulum, moving side to side instead of up. Hold the rope lightly without resting your weight on it. Use your feet to propel yourself upwards on the steep rock.