<photo: Laban Rata Resthouse 3270m, at Panalaban Base Camp @ Kinabalu>
the starting point for climbing Mount Kinabalu is at Timpohon Gate, at an altitude of 1,866 metres. from here, climbers will trek a distance of 6.5km over 3-6 hours to reach the Panalaban Base Camp (Laban Rata is the old name) at 3,270m.
<photos: views and huts at Panalaban Base Camp @ Kinabalu>
there's a variety of accomodation at Panalaban Base Camp such as the Laban Rata Resthouse, Pendant Hut, Gunting Lagadan Hut, Waras Hut and Lemaing Hut. although there's no wifi at Panalaban Base Camp, mobile reception for voice and data is generally at acceptable levels.
<photos: waking up at 2am to have supper/breakfast and starting the final climb at 3am to the summit of Mount Kinabalu>
this is the "best part" of the Mount Kinabalu climb because you will be asking yourself - why? why wake up at 1am and it's freezing cold? why climb at 3am in the dark, and it's still freezing cold? why after 3 hours of climbing you haven't reached the summit yet? and it's starting to rain! why, why why?
the answer can be found when you reach the peak of Mount Kinabalu at 7am and you watch the awesome sun rise. at that moment, you stop asking why, and you ask when. when will you go back and climb Mount Kinabalu again. #bcc
“How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains!” - John Muir, The Mountains of California