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4 Days Mt Torq Experience: Via Ferrata and Sports Climb Introduction on Mount Kinabalu
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This package provides you 3 nights stay at Pendant Hut with selected meals, choice of Lows Peak Circuit OR Walk The Torq via ferrata route (guided by Mountain Torq via ferrata guide), and the opportunity for dawn summit at Low's Peak with your self arranged Sabah Park mountain guide, the highest point on Mount Kinabalu. The Sabah Park mountain guide will be organised by yourself when you apply for permits at Sabah Park office located at Kinabalu Nature Park or Mesilau Park headquarters.
New Mount Kinabalu Summit Trails
There are 2 new trails leading up to Mount Kinabalu summit from Laban Rata; Kota Belud Trail, and Ranau Trail. Currently only Ranau Trail is completed and available to climbers as of 1 December 2015. It is several hundred meters longer from the old summit trail providing a little more excitement. Only 120 climb permits will be issued per day by Sabah Parks.
Timpohon Trail from Kinabalu National Park is the main trail to ascend up to Laban Rata and descent. Mesilau Trail from Mesilau Park has not been repaired and remains closed indefinitely.
The 2 via ferrata trails:
The Low’s Peak Circuit (LPC) - 1.2km (Not to be confused with Low's Peak, the highest point on Mount Kinabalu)
Duration 4 - 5 hours
Suitable for ages: 17 to 70 years old
Capacity: Only 2 groups of 6 persons are allowed on the LPC trail per day. That is a maximum of 12 persons. VERY LIMITED
Grading: Intermediate
Hike up to Low's Peak, Mt Kinabalu's highest point at 4,095m. On descent, take a via ferrata detour to see stunning views and explore hidden corners of the mountain plateau.
LPC is physically demanding. It is for those who are sure-footed, not fearful of heights, want to scale South East Asia's highest point and the World's highest via ferrata.
Walk the Torq (WTT) - 460m
Duration 2 hours
Suitable for ages 10 to 70 years old
Capacity: That is a maximum of 12 persons. There only 40 slots for WTT available per day. 10 persons to one via ferrata guide.
Grading - Easy
Take your first steps on the world's highest via ferrata and learn how to walk the Torq.
WTT is an initiation for those who want to build their confidence in via ferrata climbing.
At 3,776 meters Mountain Torq's via ferrata has the world record as the highest via ferrata in the world on top of Mount Kinabalu, a UNESCO world heritage site, and it is the first via ferrata in Asia. They have also been awarded by the Guiness Book of Records for being the world's highest via ferrata. Another fact is that Mountain Torq is Asia's first mountaineering training center.
The via ferrata team are a group of dedicated and passionate outdoor enthusiasts who came together to bring the excitement of mountaineering activities to people of all ages at Mount Kinabalu. They are also qualified mountain climbers and educators, safety is their utmost priority and so is personal responsibility. The route and equipment is routinedly checked and assessed by qualified via ferrata specialists to ensure the adventure is safe while providing the high tension excitement!
Accommodation
Pendant Hut at 3,270 meters above sea level is Mountain Torq's exclusive accommodation with a capacity of 30 people at one time. The cozy accommodation with a nice view has a dining area, non-heated rooms with dormitory-bunk beds, a small pantry and common bathrooms with water heaters that produce, at best, lukewarm water due to the cold water temperatures. Beds come with sleeping bags and a pillows but no teddy bears.
Electricity is available 24 hours however there may be times when there are power outages. No cooking is allowed at Pendant Hut. Hot cooked food is available at Laban Rata Guesthouse Cantee.
Itinerary and Rates (in Malaysian Ringgit and per person)
Below provides a general idea of the itinerary.
Day 1
8:00 am Arrive at Kinabalu Park HQ. (2 hours drive from Kota Kinabalu to the Kinabalu Park HQ)
Compulsory pre-check in at Mountain Torq’s office with each participants valid passport or Malaysian Identity Card then proceed to make arrangement at Sabah Park counter (Own arrangement – you may do this a day before)
Meet your self arranged Sabah Park mountain guide. Transfer to Timpohon Gate or Mesilau Park (Own arrangement).
8:30 am Start hiking up Mt Kinabalu from Timpohon Gate @ 1,866m with the Sabah Park mountain guide
3:00 pm Arrive at Pendant Hut @ 3,289m and settle in
3:30 pm Attend the mandatory via ferrata familiarization in Pendant Hut and meet your Mountain Torq trainer
6:00 pm Dinner at Laban Rata’s canteen
8:00 pm Lights out
Day 2
6:00 am Wake up and morning breakfast while watching the sunrise
7:00 am Introduction to rappelling or sports climbing with your Mountain Torq trainer
12:00pm Head to Laban Rata for a well earned lunch
Afternoon Acclimatize, recharge and prepare for a hectic Day 3.
Have a well deserved nap, sit in the sun (weather permitting) and have a cup of tea at the base of Pendant Hut while watching the therapeutic mountain scenery
6:00 pm Dinner at Laban Rata’s canteen
8:00 pm Lights out
Day 3
1:30 am Wake up and early morning supper
2:30 am Start hiking up to the summit with your self arranged Sabah Park mountain guide
5:40 am Catch the sunrise on Low’s Peak, the highest point on Mount Kinabalu
6:00 am Descent from Low’s Peak
6:30 am Meet your via ferrata guide at the agreed meeting point for your chosen via ferrata experience
11:00am Return to Pendant Hut and wash up
12:00pm Head to Laban Rata for a well earned lunch
Afternoon recuperate from the 11hrs day, have a well deserved nap, sit in the sun and have a cup of the famous organic Sabah tea at the base of Pendant Hut while watching the therapeutic mountain
scenery
6:00 pm Dinner at Laban Rata’s canteen
8:00 pm Lights out
Day 4 (Back up day for another summit attempt if Day 3 was not successful)
7:00am Wake up, pack up and have breakfast
8:30am Check out of Pendant Hut and descent to Timpohon Gate with your mountain guide
1:00pm Arrive at Timpohon Gate.
Head to the Park HQ to collect your successful certificates and buy some souvenirs
Rate valid for travel dates between 1 April 2019 until 31 March 2020
| Rate per person | |
|
4D3N BASIC Accommodation, Meals, LPC or WTT + Sports Abseil Intro |
4000 |
What is included?
BASIC package includes ONLY one via ferrata circuit, basic sports abseiling, meals and accommodation.
Activities indicated above itinerary
3 nights at Pendant Hut
1 early morning Continental breakfast/supper @ Pendant Hut
2 simple American breakfast @ Pendant Hut
2 set lunch @ Laban Rata canteen
3 buffet dinners @ Laban Rata canteen
Via Ferrata certificate for successful climbers only
What is excluded?
Lunch for ascend up the mountain, transportation between KK town and Park HQ, Porter fees, meals not stated, and items not mentioned.
All Sabah Parks’ tariffs, permits, transport and Mountain guide services. See here for rates. This is easily arranged when you arrive at Kinabalu Park or Mesilau Nature Park.
What to wear or bring?
Clothes
Raincoat or waterproof jacket
Warm clothing like fleece jacket, hiking pants
Change of clothes for sleeping
Protective Gear
Cap / beanie / head scarf (to keep warm at night and in the early morning)
Gloves that suitable for holding icy cold cables and ropes (very important)
Sunglasses, sun block and SPF lip balm
A rain cover for your backpack
Comfortable covered trail/ hiking shoes
Useful and Practical Extras
A small / lightweight towel
Personal toiletries
Refillable water bottle
Handheld torchlight or a head lamp (preferred)
Camera
Energy snacks such as chocolate, nuts, biscuits, sweets or energy bars (you will need snacks and drinks during breaks on the via ferrata)
A small backpack to carry your things on the via ferrata
Hot water is available at Pendant Hut and Laban Rata Guesthouse. No cooking is allowed at both locations.
Getting here
Kinabalu Nature Park is 88 kilometers away from Kota Kinabalu, or minimum 1 hour and 30 minutes away by road transportation. Mesilau is another 30 minutes away.
By bus, visitors can take a bus headed to Kundasang or Ranau at the City Bus Terminal (North). Buses from Kota Kinabalu to Ranau are available from 7.30a.m to 5p.m. Bus transport is only suitable if you plan to stay a night at KInabalu Park or Mesilau Nature Park before the climb the next day. This is due to its infrequency and non-fixed schedules. Your trek should start before 9am for a casual pace to take in the sights and to slowly acclimatize.
To return to Kota Kinabalu, take a bus across road outside Kinabalu Park (reconfirm with Kinabalu Park reception counter) headed to Kota Kinabalu.
By taxi, visitors can take the Ranau taxi at the Ranau taxi stand (next to the Merdeka Field) or request from the hotel lobby.
Visitors can also rent a car and drive by themselves.