MT. KINABALU SUMMIT - TO REOPEN 01 DECEMBER 2015 ?

A team of 88 climbers reached the Laban Rata area on 08 August but was unable to access to the summit as the several trails were still inaccessible. 

During a recent press conference, the Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment minister announced the the targeted date for summit climb, subject to the completion of installing the new summit trails, would be 01 December 2015. 

The minister said " We are taking a bit of time because we need expertise in installing the new trails of 6.3 - 6.8 kilometers. There are still large boulders of stones along the old trails that may move or fall in the event of any earth movement". He also elaborated that they need to engage foreign experts to help to built the new trails.

Mountain climbers who are keen to climb Mt. Kinabalu may finally get the chance from 01 December 2015. 

    

MT. KINABALU TO REOPEN FOR CLIMB FROM SEPTEMBER 2015 ?

According to a press release from the Sabah Tourism today, 88 climbers will do a test climb to Mt.Kinabalu on 08 August.

The mountain has been closed since the deadly 5.9 earthquake on June 5 claimed the lives of 18 climbers and mountain guides and caused serious damage to the "climb" trails.

The repairs and restoration work had been carried out over the last couple of months. This Saturday’s climb is to assess the condition of the repaired trail and secondly, to ensure that it is truly safe. According to Sabah Park, the trail from Timpohon Gate to Laban Rata is practically intact, except at certain areas that still needed to be improved for safety consideration. The rest of the trail, however, is still undergoing repair and upgrading, considering that some of them were no longer passable. The real challenge in the restoration efforts is the extent of damage between Laban Rata and the peak, some parts of which are now non-existent, full of rocks simply could not be removed. Restoration work up to the peak had been completed, the routes will be even more challenging, due to some changes.

The projected time to officially open the mountain for climbing is still the first week of September 2015. However, the number of climbers allowed to scale the mountain will be reduced by half of its previous capacity, for better safety assurance.

Meanwhile, Sabah Parks director said that the test climb on 08 August is only a day-climb, which would require climbers to descend on the same day, to ensure hundred per cent safety of everyone.

We hope the test climb will be successful so the reopening of the mountain will be realized.