Mount Kinabalu Facts for Climb, Borneo, Malaysia
Mount Kinablu, locally famed as Borneo’s roof, stands majestically with a height of 4095 m above sea level. It is believed to be growing little by little at the rate of 5 mm per year.
A long winding path, away from the moderately busy city of Kota Kinabalu, took us to the base of Mount Kinabalu. The local people were charming, friendly and eager to strike a conversation. All around the mountain views were soothing green. There were resorts where one can spend a night or two, but we had other plans.
We stayed at hotel and visited base of Mount Kinabalu just for few hours, yet it was difficult not to fall in love with the place. The weather was perfect but the sky was flooded with clouds, white ones, hiding the view of the mountain summit.
A botanical survey states that are more than a 5,000 plant species in the tropical rain forest of Mount Kinabalu. This is more than all of Europe and North America (except tropical regions of Mexico) combined! We later headed to Kinabalu Botanical Garden to see the collection of these amazing plant varieties.
One of the interesting Mount Kinabalu activities to indulge in is soaking in hot springs. Ranau is an ideal place to experience natural hot spring. You can soak yourself in the big hot spring pools or opt for individual open bath tubs. Check this hot spring – Sungai Moroli Fish Spa
In India I came across natural hot spring in Bakreshwar – Bakreswar Shakti Peetha
Mount Kinabalu Facts
35 million years ago Borneo was submerged beneath the sea. Over a period of several centuries marine sediments accumulated where Mount Kinabalu now stands. Under the influence of powerful forces of pressure and temperature these sediments transformed the ocean mud into layers of rocky sandstone and shale. These were uplifted to form a range of mountains. It is now called the Crocker Range which runs through East Malaysia. The uplifting process is still on increasing the height by half a centimetre every year.
Having a height of 4095m Mt. Kinabalu is ranked 20th most prominent one in the world in terms of topographic prominence! This site also has the honor of being the first Unesco World Heritage site of Malaysia! The mountain is home to several carnivorous plants and beautiful orchids.
Legend around Mount Kinabalu
A legend around its name is interesting.
The mountain is named after a woman called Kinabalu who died pining for her husband on top of this mountain. Her husband from China had promised to take her and their children to his home in China. Unfortunately he couldn’t honor his promise due to his parental pressure.
The woman would climb the mountain facing the South China Sea everyday to look out for her husband’s ship. People of her hometown, touched by this devotion to her husband named the mountain after her.
Mount Kinabalu is a symbol of the everlasting love and loyalty that should be taken as a good example by women!
Yet another explanation for the name Kinabalu is that: the name is derived from the name Aki Nabalu. This means the “revered place of the dead.” Aki means “ancestors” or “grandfather”, and Nabalu is a name for the mountain in the Dusun language.
There are lots of Mount Kinabalu climbing packages offering a wonderful tropical adventure for those daring to go. The guides are good, so they say. Many of them having the experience of climbing the mountain several hundred times. You will be given the assistance of English speaking guide, if you ask for one.
Mountaineering Gear List for Mt. Kinabalu Climb
Are you planning to trek up Mt. Kinabalu? Equip yourself with these mountaineering gear:
- comprehensive map
- a torch, whistle
- lightweight bivouac bag
- proper clothing (thermal, fleece, waterproof, appropriate footwear)
- supplies of high-energy food
I didn’t avail any of these. But there, standing and watching the cloud puffs wrapping up the mountain I dreamed longingly. I hoped to return some day to attempt a climb on this mountain.
Did you know it takes 2 days to climb and return from Mt. Kinabalu? On the first day, climbers trek 6 km to ‘Laban Rata’. That takes close to 5 to 6 hours. Next day early morning they climb to summit to be rewarded with amazing sunrise views. It is said Mount Kinabalu has the most epic Sunrise Views. The return trip can take 6 to 9 hours.
Mt. Kinabalu veiled in wisps of clouds
Where to Stay in Kinabalu
- Spring Garden – Located in Kampung Kundasang, 24 km from Ranau.
- OYO 90246 Suang Noh Home stay Kundasang – a 2-star property situated in Kundasang. Free WiFi throughout the property.
- Mesilau Mountain Retreats – Located in Kundasang in the Sabah region, free private parking.
- Shangrilas’ Rasa Ria Resort – Our media team stayed in this hotel. Location is 79.4 km west of Mt Kinabalu.
Sad update: The majestic Mount Kinabalu was shaken by an earthquake of 6.0 magnitude, on Richter scale, on the morning of June 5, 2015, taking 18 lives with it. I had visited in March 2015.
Conclusion
Are you inspired enough with these Mount Kinabalu facts? Do let me know how your experience has been if you have been to Mount Kinabalu in Borneo in the comment box. If destiny permits I intend to return and attempt to climb the Mount Kinabalu. I am thankful to Malaysia Tourism for this first opportunity to visit this scenic location in Borneo Rainforest.
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(Updated post: This post was first written on May 6th, 2015.)
This is the place that I want to visit. I have heard so much about it and its beauty. I want to do the rainforests but what I want more is to dive here. Sigh! Hope to get there. Loved that legend about the name behind Kinabalu
Now that's one heck of a place..
Beautiful snaps Indrani 🙂
Awesome pictures…
Beautiful picture of the hill.
A sad story…
the clicks are great as always… 🙂
Mountain on a name of female. I guess it's rare. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Truly majestic! :')
That is an interesting story behind its name! And how I would have loved to go up on it!
Beautiful pictures. The place seems so fascinating especially because of the story associated with it 🙂
Even from afar it is an awesome sight!
Beautiful clicks as always. Somehow the legends that go with a place always interest me as do the carnivorous plants. Nice writeup Indrani.
Truly Magnificent….Excellent Clicks of the Mountain surrounded by the beautiful clouds….
Awesome clouds!
Really amazing
Look forward to your climb and pics from top!!
It's lovely.Thanks for sharing information 🙂
Heavenly! 🙂
wow! Beautiful!
That is a majestic view 🙂
beautiful 🙂
Nice to know about its history.
a sorrowful legend.