Dhahran British Grammar School Expedition 2006

25 March 2006
Kinabalu National Park to Gunting Lagadan Hut

We began our climb from the Tumpohon Gate.  Everybody was given an id badge with their name and an identity number printed on it – every effort is made in the National Park to assure those attempting to climb the mountain come back in one piece (more or less).  Climbers are checked into and out of the park and also have to pass through a checkpoint near the top of the mountain, where climbing has the potential to become more dangerous.

The climb started easily enough, with a short descent to a waterfall!  Within minutes though we were struggling uphill through the rainforest on a rocky path.  To reduce erosion the park wardens have fixed steps and boards in some places.  Giant steps that, if anything, make walking harder.  In the high humidity we were soon dripping, the dense vegetation preventing even the slightest breath of wind.  After a considerable effort and what felt like an absolute age, we discovered a mile post, or rather a half-kilometre marker. 

We had covered exactly half a kilometre before requiring our first rest!  The Summit Trail on Mt Kinabalu is only 8.7km long, but climbs over 2000m.  Our aim for the day was to climb to the mountain huts at about six kilometres.  It quickly became clear that this wasn’t going to an easy task.

One of the reasons that Mt Kinabalu was recognised as a World heritage Site by UNESCO is its biodiversity.  The size of the mountain and its complex geology mean that there are a great number of different ecosystems in a relatively compact place.  These are literally thousands of different species of plants and insects on the mountain.

At each kilometre or so along the track there is a shelter, ominously complete with a stretcher and a toilet for emergencies.  Rarely can the hazards of using a squat toilet have been so thoughtfully anticipated. The kids called these shelters gazebos and at each we would all stop and wait for the straglers to catch up.  With Richard, Adrian and our local guides we had a ratio of 9 adults to 16 students! We made quite a crowd at each rest stop. 

Some of the students struggled today, but all made it eventually, dropping exhausted into one of the chairs at the hotel at 3000m above sea level.  The climb had taken us five and a half hours; a speed of about one hour per kilometre.  After drinks and chocolate we climbed a further 200m to our mountain hut – Gunting Lagadan.  By this time legs were all going stiff and there were a few groans so we climbed the steep rocks up to the hut.  Often on trips students moan if their accommodation is less than four star, but fatigue makes a huge difference.  We were all so relieved to put down our bags and lie down that there wasn’t a single complaint about he hut and its simple Youth Hostel style rooms. 

At dinner we enjoyed a beautiful sunset from the restaurant balcony.  From time to time the clouds cleared and we could see the city lights far below along the coastline. 

We were in bed by 7.30pm on account of our 2.30am departure for the summit.

At dinner Aristo was sick quietly, neatly vomiting onto his dinner plate.  During the night Mark had to visit the bathroom at 9pm, 10pm, 11pm and midnight, also suffering from nausea.  Altitude?  Fatigue?  Something they ate?  Who knows.

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