Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MOUNTAIN CLIMBING
Towering above the forests of Borneo are some brilliant mountains. Even nonclimbers
know about 4095m Mt Kinabalu, the highest peak between the Himalayas and the island of
New Guinea. This craggy monster simply begs to be climbed, and there is something ma-
gical about starting the ascent in humid tropical jungle and emerging into a bare, rocky
alpine zone so cold that snow has been known to fall. But beyond the transition from hot to
cold, it's the weird world of the summit plateau that makes Mt Kinabalu among the world's
most interesting peaks. It's got a dash of Yosemite and a pinch of Torres del Paine, but at
the end of the day, it's pure Borneo.
Gunung Mulu (2377m) isn't quite as high but it's almost as famous, thanks in part to be-
ing a Unesco World Heritage site. If you're a glutton for punishment, you'll probably find
the five-day return trek to the summit of this peak to your liking. Those who make the jour-
ney experience a variety of pristine natural environments, starting with lowland dipterocarp
forest and ending with rhododendron and montane forest.
Pre-Trip Preparation
Climbing one of Borneo's iconic mountains is like a jungle trek except more so - more ex-
hausting, more psychologically challenging and especially more vertical. Be prepared for
ascents that turn your legs to rubber and for much colder weather. Book well ahead.
Guides & Agencies
Many of the agencies that handle trekking (
Click here
)
also offer mountain ascents. Some
more experienced guides in the Kelabit Highlands can take you to two rarely climbed
peaks, Batu Lawi and Gunung Murud.
