Climbing Mount Kinabalu, Borneo

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Mount Kinabalu, Borneo

You’d think that Mount Kinabalu would be considered an easy climb. It’s only around 4300 metres and it’s only a 2 day trek. However it really is a tough climb! We’ve been to Everest Base Camp and we’ve, been to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, however, I think that those two days on Kinabalu were tougher than both of those other climbs.

Sure Kili and EBC were longer and required more endurance. And yes, the altitude was far more difficult on the body, but Kinabalu is steep and doesn’t stop. You rush your way up from nearly sea level and sleep at altitude when you havent’ had any time to acclimate. The steps are steep and high and you wish for the day to end.

You sleep in the cold in shacks and because you’ve been traveling South East Asia for 6 months you don’t have the proper clothing to stay warm. So you freeze. You awake at 3:00 am to make it to the summit at sunrise.

And because you didnt’ plan well, you arrive way to early and continue to freeze for an hour as you wait for the sun to rise. The summit is tiny and you hope that you don’t fall off or have someone bump you over the edge.

But when the sun comes up over Borneo, you are treated to one of the most breathtaking views you have ever seen and you will never forget.