3D2N Budget Mount Kinabalu Climb Via Timpohon Trail

TIMPOHON TRAIL

Timpohon Trail is the well-trodden main route taken by most climbers. The starting point of Timpohon Trail is Timpohon Gate, located approximately 4KM from Kinabalu Park Headquarters. Climbers are required to display climbing permit and register at the check point at Timpohon Gate prior to the climb.

Interestingly, the climb actually begins with the descent to Carson’s Fall, named after the first Park Warden of Kinabalu Park. From here onward, depending on your fitness level, it is about 4-5 hours climb for the day. The trail wind up a steep staircase of gnarled tree-roots to a mossy world of drifting clouds and orchid-draped trees, where pitcher plants and rhododendrons abound. There are 7 shelters throughout the 6KM hike to Laban Rata Rest house. The first is Kandis Shelter at 1981.7m where on a clear day, a view of the road that links Kota Kinabalu to the park can be seen.

The second shelter is Ubah Shelter at 2081.4m. This is where one of Borneo’s most unusual pitcher plants grows – the Nepenthes Lowii, so do look out for these oddly-shaped plants with pitcher containers. The mossy forest continues on past the Sabah Telecoms Station at Komborongoh at 2252.2m. Interestingly, “Komborongoh” is a plant that the Kadazandusuns people use to ward off evil spirits and used in traditional ceremonies and rituals.

The third shelter is Lowii Shelter. The trail continues up to the mossy forest of mixed bamboos and tree ferns. More rhododendrons are seen. At 2515m, here comes to the fourth shelter, Mempening Shelter is reached with wild begonias growing nearby. Stops at these shelter, take a rest and observe the squirrels, tree shrews and birds that seem so unafraid of climbers. You will also see the Layang-Layang TV Station. Soon, you will emerge to an open exposed ridge at Layang-Layang Shelter, the fifth shelter at 2702m (previously known as Carson’s Camp). At this point, a band of ultramafic soil, distinguished by its orange-cinnamon colour, crosses the trail and the vegetation changes dramatically.

Villosa Shelter, the sixth shelter, at 2690m is situated at the top of an open rocky patch and soon the forest becomes even more stunned. Superb view can be seen of Mount Kinabalu towering above as you follow the trail upwards. At the top of this open area, at 3050m, a small track leads off to a helipad on the right. After the helipad junction, the ultramafic soil ends and the forest are again the taller trees covered with mosses. Soon after, you will arrive at the seventh shelter –Paka Shelter, at 3080m. This pondok was named after Paka Cave nearby. The Paka Cave which sited on the edge of a small stream is nothing more than a large overhanging rock.

Finally, the various accommodations for overnight stop is reached. There are few mountain huts available for overnight – the Laban Rata Resthouse, Waras Hut, Pendant Hut and Lemaing Hut. Laban Rata Rest House, at 3272m, is the biggest mountain hut among the others, and also where the restaurant located at. Pendant Hut, cozy and eco-friendly Alpine-inspired hut is exclusively for Via Ferrata’s climbers. Via ferrata climbers have to arrived at Pendant Hut by 3pm to attend a mandatory pre-activity briefing and familiarization session. Check in to your accommodation and dinner will be served at Laban Rata Resthouse restaurant. After dinner, take a good rest and be prepare for the climb to the peak. 

SUMMIT TRAIL

After a night’s rest, climbers have to wake up at about 1.30 am to get yourself prepare for the summit climb. Supper/Early breakfast is ready at Laban Rata Restaurant. Climbers are advice to start ascend before 3am in order to catch the magnificent sunrise at the peak, weather permitting. In the dark, you can see the beams of torch lights as the procession of climbers trudge higher and higher. There are ladders, hand railings and ropes to help you over the steeper slopes.

Due to the route from Laban Rata to Sayat-Sayat Check Point was considerably damaged after the earthquake, a new route – Ranau Trail has been introduced. The new trail will take you from Panalaban (previously known as Laban Rata) at 3272m to Sayat Sayat Check Point (3,668m) then continue on to the summit trail to Low’s Peak at (4095.2m). Ranau Trail is near vertical with steep sections of wooden stairs of 70-80 degree incline. Some sections did not even have wooden steps and you need to haul yourself using a fixed rope over large boulders. Just proceed slowly and cautiously. The new trail may be more challenging than the previous trail, but you are then rewarded with awesome views of the mountain terrain.

The second new trail to the summit of the 4,095m Mount Kinabalu called ‘Kota Belud Trail’now open to climbers too. The 1.1 kilometre trail will be the alternative route in addition to the ‘Ranau Trail’. However, certain parts of Kota Belud trail has slopes which are more than 60 degrees, making it slightly tougher compared to the Ranau trail. Wooden steps and ropes can be found along certain parts of the trail. Both trails start from Laban Rata and meet at the Sayat-Sayat Checkpoint where you will make the ascent to the summit. (You will take the Ranau Trail as Kota Belud trail required special permit to enter). Soon after, you will see Sayat-Sayat Hut at, this is the highest shelter on the mountain. Sayat-Sayat Check Point is the last check point that requires you to display your climbing permit.

From here, you will walk across the bare granite slabs that stretch endless ahead, in an eerie moonscape of stone. The vegetation are stunted shrubs and tough grasses in the crevices. Distance from Laban Rata Resthouse to Low’s Peak is 2.4KM. There is marker at every kilometer as well. After KM8.5, finally reach to your final destination; the highest point on Mount Kinabalu, the summit of Borneo at 4095.2m – The Low’s Peak! As you wait in the cold, dawn gradually creeps over the horizon, illuminating the darkness with the light of a new day. By this time, climbers are already at Low’s Peak or nearing. Watching as the day unfolds over a spectacular view of the mountains plateau and valleys below, which were not visible before. In clear weather, you can almost see all of Sabah spread out below. There is much more to the western plateau of Mount Kinabalu than Low’s Peak, as there are more than 20 peaks crowning the summit, such as Alexandra Peak, St Andrew Peak, Victoria Peak and Oyayubi Peak. On the eastern plateau, stand King Edward Peak and King George Peak. However, these peaks are only for experienced climbers as it is a challenging climb.

It can be very cold with strong wind at the peak. Hence, climbers are advised to descent as soon as possible. You may be lucky to have good mountain condition and be able to stay longer. However, it is advisable to descent before the swirling clouds could obstruct visibility. It takes about 2 hours to descent to your mountain hut. Check out your accommodation and have your breakfast at Laban Rata Rest House. It takes another 4-5 hours to descent from Laban Rata to Timpohon Gate.