Is Climbing Mt. Kinabalu Still Possible?
20 February 2010
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2 Comments
With almost five months still into my Kota Kinabalu trip, I am already planning my itinerary. It has been sometime since I climbed, so I thought I would climb Mt. Kinabalu. The view at the top is said to be amazing, and it is supposed to be an easy climb. I have been to Mt. Pulag (the Philippines’ third highest mountain), so I thought the trek would not be too difficult for me.
A climber waits for the sunrise at the Kinabalu peak.
However, when I was surfing for details regarding reservations and such, I learned that only one resort–Sutera Sanctuary Lodges (SSL)–operates at the Kinabalu National Park, and if I want to climb, I must deal with them. I was aghast at the price I had to pay for the climb–a whopping PhP8,000 (permits, guide, dorm room, insurance, etc.), and that’s the minimum!
I then learned that lot of climbers are pushing for the boycotting of Mt Kinabalu due to the overpricing of SSL.
I wonder if it is still possible for me to climb Mt. Kinabalu. Sure, for people with lots of cash to spare, PhP8,000 (around USD200) is not much, but based on the feedback from a number of climbers, both Malaysians and foreigners, I don’t think it’s worth it. Such a pity!
Aleah Taboclaon is a freelance writer and editor. She likes running (completed one marathon, training for the next!), diving (PADI open water diver), and traveling with her Kindle. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus. You can also email her; she would love to hear from you! Share and Enjoy
Wow, that's really too bad about SSL. I climbed up Mt Kinabalu about a dozen years ago. At that time, there was only the one lodge operating 3/4 the way up the mountain, and I had the exact opposite opinion: that prices were so cheap. I was impressed with the food prices considering a porter had to hike everything up.
It is just a hike, really, but… I had never been above 4000 m elevation before, and it hit me hard.
hi john, according to reports from climbers in the past year or so, SSL has started to charge so much. given that they're the only one operating there, it's really very sad.
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