| A keen trekker myself, and one who has peaked | | | | 1. A nice comfy pair of tracksuit pants, a jumper |
| Mt Kinabalu over 35 times whilst leading numerous | | | | and clean t-shirt, clean socks thick and thin |
| tourists, I feel it's only right that I should impart | | | | (undies) |
| some of my knowledge onto you, so you are not | | | | 2. Very basic toiletries, toothbrush and paste! |
| only well prepared but also enjoy every aspect of | | | | (soap and towel can be obtained at |
| this exhilarating yet sometimes difficult hike, | | | | accommodation Laban Rata) |
| because you have everything you need. | | | | 3. A pair of flip flops (thongs) or sandals |
| My number one must do, Hire a Porter: Yes we all | | | | 4. A good windbreaker and water proof jacket |
| want to prove we are strong and fit, not requiring | | | | light but warm |
| any assistance whilst trekking up mountains, but | | | | 5. Thermal top |
| isn't it YOUR holiday? And if that's not enough let | | | | 6. Beanie, and two pairs of gloves one thin one |
| me tell you a bit about the incredibly delightful | | | | thick (or you can use another pair of socks) |
| Dusun people that make a living guiding and | | | | 7. If you're fussy a sleep sheet, the blankets on |
| porting up Mt K. Firstly you are offering someone | | | | the beds are washed every other day! |
| a job, enjoying a friendly smile and perhaps 'if | | | | You will thank me when you are sitting in the |
| you're lucky' some broken English along the way. | | | | accommodation with warm clean and dry clothes |
| Don't be afraid to walk along with your porter, | | | | on, and others are shivering in their sweaty |
| and chit chat, after all if you're that fit you should | | | | trousers and t-shirts. |
| be able to keep up with them. Your guide is a | | | | Second day, if you took a while to climb the first |
| must, after all you simply aren't allowed to climb | | | | day then you're going to need to start early if |
| the mountain without one. Don't be shy, it's only | | | | you want to see the sunrise. Probably around |
| going to make your climb a disappointing one if | | | | 1.30-2am would be a wise choice, those of you |
| you don't walk away with a few new best | | | | that are super fast, around 3.30 - 4am the sun |
| buddies, you may even get an invite to the village. | | | | rises usually around 5.45am, but hey it's been a |
| Secondly and another good reason to hire a | | | | while so ask your guide re-time of sunrise. My |
| Porter: You need to be prepared for hot weather | | | | best advice to you is, don't eat a BIG breakfast, |
| and very cold weather in the one pack, you also | | | | your body is not used to eating at 2am, it is |
| need something to sleep in, toiletries, so let the | | | | probably not used to altitude or strenuous |
| porter carry these for you and enjoy the lighter | | | | exercise at this time either, it's quite on the cards |
| load on the first day. | | | | you will lose your breakfast whilst walking, have a |
| Things I recommend carrying on you for the first | | | | warm drink of Milo or Hot Chocolate (you can get |
| day: | | | | sachets from HQ shops) take a few energy bars |
| 1. Small backpack (camel pack) with 2 litre water | | | | with you for the summit wait, or when you are |
| bladder | | | | feeling a bit peckish along the way. Dress as light |
| 2. Emergency plastic poncho (and umbrella if | | | | as you can in the cold, maybe your trekking |
| you're not too embarrassed) | | | | pants and thermal with t-shirt over the top, thin |
| 3. A light fleece for rest stops (don't let your | | | | gloves, thin socks and head torch, you will warm |
| body cool down too much) | | | | up quickly, put your warm gear in your pack, it's |
| 4. High energy snacks | | | | better to put warm and dry layers on once you |
| 5. Camera and water proof bag | | | | reach the summit than sit in sweaty wet clothes |
| 6. Head torch (don't use a handheld torch, you | | | | and freeze, don't let the warm weather of |
| need both hands to climb on the second day) | | | | Borneo fool you, it is really cold on the top of Mt |
| 7. Small first aid kit or bring a few things like a | | | | Kinabalu. Don't take your walking stick up to the |
| bandage, bandaids and antiseptic spray | | | | summit unless it is retractable and can be |
| 8. Sun Block | | | | attached to your pack, you need your hands to |
| 9. Walking stick (your choice) | | | | climb some parts of the steep rocks, and hold the |
| 10. Some money, you have to buy your food at | | | | ropes (hence thin gloves). Don't wear your thick |
| the accommodation it's not cheap, but there are a | | | | gloves, your hands will get wet on the ropes save |
| few items you may want, like the buffet dinner | | | | them for the top! |
| and breakfast, so you will need about 100MYR, | | | | Really important: If it is raining heavily, do not |
| make sure you reconfirm prices with your guide | | | | climb to the summit, rain can form torrents of |
| before you leave, as it may have changed since | | | | water on the flat rocks, washing everything off |
| my last climb. | | | | the path including you. If it becomes very foggy |
| On the first morning (at HQ) make sure you eat | | | | that you cannot see, don't keep walking, stop, |
| a breakfast full of good slow burning | | | | hold the rope, and wait, you are on the path a |
| carbohydrates, if you're a slower walker, start | | | | rescue person will find you. |
| nice and early between 7.30 and 8.30am, you | | | | Once you reach the summit, pop on your layers, |
| don't want to be still walking up in the dark. You | | | | beanie, thick gloves or socks over your hands, |
| should set off in light trekking shorts or pants, | | | | and thick socks on your tootsies, jumper, jacket, |
| good rubber grip shoes that are good on flat rock | | | | and maybe your tracksuit pants. Trust me you |
| surfaces as well as slippery gravel with ankle | | | | will still be cold, but so much better off than those |
| support, a t-shirt and a hat. | | | | with light gear or sweaty clothes. Enjoy the |
| What's in the Porter Bag? Firstly start off filling a | | | | sunrise, wonder back down to the |
| strong garbage bag instead of another backpack. | | | | accommodation Laban Rata for a buffet |
| Porters usually have their own bag or basket, it's | | | | breakfast, pack your stuff back up as it was on |
| easier for them to fit a garbage bag into it rather | | | | the first day, give your garbage bag to the porter |
| than a bulky pack, and your things are more | | | | and take your time heading back down. |
| water proof this way. I recommend putting the | | | | I hope this has helped you to enjoy this amazing |
| following inside: | | | | mountain that little bit more. |