Kinabalu Park Stories


Stairway to Heaven (hell!)

Fri 9/9 - We did not get a wink of sleep due to snoring, sweaty damp socks, paper thin mattresses and the room hotter than a sauna. Seriously considered staying in bed but somehow we put all the clothes we had on (v.cold at top apparently) and christened our head torches. Both felt terrible and had headaches - lack of sleep or altitude sickness kicking ...


The climb (& pain) begins

Thurs 8/9 - Up at six AGAIN (couldn't wake up before 8am in Manchester, what is going on..) Packed small bags with enough stuff for climb and the night at base camp hostel. The first leg of the climb is from the gate to Laban rata which is 6km. Tried to make as light as possible but lots of chocolate went in. At park HQ fill out 3 more forms (yet again...


Arrival in Kinabalu Park

Weds 7/9 - Next door's tv was still blaring out at 3am and then woke us at 6am with the call to prayer at full blast. (guess we didn't need to set the alarm clock) It was an uneventful journey and felt like seasoned backpackers as the only 'Westerners' on board. On arrival at the Park Headquarters, we checked in and sorted out climb permits and ot...