Mt Kinabalu Day 2 - Part II (Descending from Laban Rata to Timpohon Gate...)

After taking our much needed brunch at the cafeteria while enjoying the magnificient view from the balcony. We didn't have much time to bask in our achievement of reaching the peak as we were told that we have to start our journey down by 1130am cause our porters expect the rain to come in around afternoon and it will make our journey down much tougher.

Indeed they were right, our walk down from Laban Rata was tough as the rain started to pour around 1pm. Many of us suffered because we ran out of ponchos and most of our jackets are not made from water resistant material. We have to be extra careful as well due to the slippery ground and my friends get to know it the hard way as some of them fell hard on their butt!!


My advice for those who wish to climb Mt Kinabalu is to get a climbing rod / trekking stick as it helps to lessen the stress on your knee caps while on the way down. You can also get those wooden walking stick at Laban Rata for RM10/stick, you can ask your porter to get it for you.

It will take around 4 to 5 hours to reach Timpohon Gate and the buffet lunch that is serve at Park Head Quarters close at 4pm. If you can't reach there on time, your friends or guide will have to help to pack some food for you as the journey back to Kota Kinabalu town will take approximately 2 hours.

The cert on the left is for reaching the summit of Mt K and the one on the left is for trekking via the Mesilau route (much tougher and for those who want to challenge themselves!!)

Most of us reached Timpohon Gate around 5pm and we left Kinabalu Park HQ around 6pm after and there is where we receive our climbing certificates. We took our packed dinner feeling really tired and exhausted but 100% satisfied!! =)