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  • Staff Adventures: Climbing Mount Kinabalu, Borneo
  • Laurie Hurley

Staff Adventures: Climbing Mount Kinabalu, Borneo

In 2018, Edith and her family embarked on the adventure of scaling Mount Kinabalu in Borneo. Positioned within the esteemed Kinabalu Park, the mountain boasts a rich biodiversity, hosting a multitude of plant species from various origins including the Himalayas, Australasia, and Indo-Malaya. Recent botanical surveys have revealed an astonishing diversity, estimating between 5,000 to 6,000 plant species, surpassing the combined count of Europe and North America, not including tropical regions of Mexico. 

Rising to 4,095 meters (13,435 feet) above sea level, Mount Kinabalu is the highest peak between the Himalayas and New Guinea. Its name, derived from the Kadazan term ‘Aki Nabalu,’ translates to ‘the revered place of the dead.’ Despite its lofty elevation, Mount Kinabalu is renowned for its safety and accessibility, granted one possesses reasonable health and fitness.

To adhere to national park regulations, climbers must be accompanied by certified guides at all times and should be prepared for potential altitude sickness.

Sharing her experience, Edith said, "The trek takes two days, with an overnight stay in a hut. We set off for the summit at 1:30 am on day two, so having a good head torch was key. Despite the 33°C temperatures at sea level, it gets freezing at the top, so warm thermals were a must. We packed dioralyte to tackle altitude sickness and brought along two walking poles, which made a huge difference on the descent, especially for my dodgy knees."
  • Laurie Hurley