Mount Kinabalu

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Mount Kinabalu, Gunung Kinabalu ( Mal. Gunung = " mountain") or Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Malaysia. It is 4,095 meters high and is located in the center of the Malaysian state of Sabah, the northern part of Borneo. He is about 50 km from Kota Kinabalu, the capital of the state, away.

Geology

The Kinabalu consists largely of granite ( Adamellit ) and is geologically very young. He stands still annually by 5 mm. During the Ice Age the summit was glaciated.

Vegetation

The flora of Mount Kinabalu is extremely diverse. At Kinabalu we find the following height levels: The lower vegetation zone to 1200 m is formed by dipterocarp lowland rain forests. The lower montane rain forest zone from 1200 to 2300 m is dominated by oak - chestnut forests. There are also laurel, magnolia, tea and myrtle as well as some tropical conifers. From about 2000 m follows the overgrown with epiphytic mosses and lichens upper montane rain forest. Dominant trees are here different Rhododendron species and some conifers such as the Celery Pine. The insectivorous pitcher plants are represented here very frequently. In the subalpine zone (from about 2800 m), the forest turns into a low shrub formation and grow above the tree line from about 3400 m only isolated dwarf shrubs, grasses and herbaceous plants from the bare rock.

Mount Kinabalu is a center of diversity for pitcher plants ( Nepenthes ), orchids and rhododendrons.

Weather

On the Kinabalu the weather is very changeable, often the day starts sunny or foggy and in the course of the afternoon he is shrouded in clouds. There are also strong downpours or storms which sometimes can even be mixed with snow. But the snow does not lie. At night and early morning reign at the top are often slight minus degrees. An upstanding, burning sun and tremendous humidity can be uncomfortable and barely 10 ° C midday temperature. Many a blow on the top of a strong wind gusting to 120 km / h

Ascent

Tourist Kinabalu is well developed: After compulsory registration in the national park, the tourists will be allocated into groups local guides. On the first day you go in the morning by minibus from the administration building of the park to Timpohon gate at 1800 m altitude (bus and taxi rank ). From there, hike up to Laban Rata huts in 3200-3300 m altitude where you are staying. From the starting point, it is continuously uphill. The trails are challenging, traversed times with roots, sometimes with irregular steps and small rocks. It can be found during the ascent at regular intervals ( approximately every 500 m) taps for drinking water and rain shelters ( "Shelter" ).

At the cottage is a place to stay in shared rooms with a small canteen -like restaurant. The climb is usually done early in the morning 2:00 to 3:00 clock, as it is the goal of many climbers to experience the sunrise on the mountain top. Between three to four hours to complete for the last 800 m height difference. It start well over 100 hikers per day. The cost is 200-400 euro depending on the provider.

In addition, one-day tours are offered on demand. These can not be booked in advance, but only on personal demand in the park. Since the overnight stay at the cottage makes up the largest cost item, these tours are much better. However, there are only issued four licenses per day.

Kinabalu Park

Mount Kinabalu is located in the national park. This is 75 370 hectares and is listed in the World Heritage list of UNESCO since 2000.