GUIDE to Climbing MOUNT KINABALU - Packing List, Preparation, Tips! (Q&A)
You can jump to the Q&A portion directly, by clicking on respective chapters!
Feel free to drop your questions and/or comments below and we'll do our best to get back to you!
Watch our FIRST Kinabalu vlog here: • 2D1N MOUNT KINABALU Cl...
@00:00 Intro + Our Summit Experience!
@04:39 Q&A - Guide to Climbing Kinabalu, Mistakes & Tips!
@04:57 Qn 1 - Climbing attire? What to wear?
@05:29 Qn 2 - How much water should I carry as I climb?
@06:51 Qn 3 - What to PACK in my bag?
@08:10 Qn 4 - How long did we climb for, and how FAST should we climb?
@09:35 Qn 5 - Do I need Hiking Sticks?
@10:36 Qn 6 - What about ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
@12:08 Qn 7 - There are different climbing certificates!
@12:47 Qn 8 - Special Technique to lace up your Hiking Boots...
@13:12 Qn 9 - What happens if I fall? How do I finish the climb??
@14:16 Qn 10 - Will your mountain guide help you along?
Thanks again for watching! Do SUBSCRIBE to my channel and hit that LIKE button! Catch ya'll in the next one! (ɔ◔‿◔)ɔ ♥
What I use to vlog:
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♥ GoPro Hero 10
♥ IG: @oheyjelly
♥ Email for enquiries: oheyjelly@gmail.com
Music by Eli Lev - Dancin' on the Lawn - thmatc.co/?l=4...
Music by Public Library Commute - Mile High - thmatc.co/?l=1...
Music by Ben Camden - Good Things Take Time - thmatc.co/?l=C...
Пікірлер: 65
Congratulations on reaching the summit! Glad my tips did provide some help for your climb. 1 crucial thing I forgot to share is not to lean back during the descend. Most people did that for balancing purpose but its actually adding extra pressure on your knee and will cause knee pain for final half of your journey back down. What you need to do is to bend slightly forward to give a bit mercy to your battered knees. Also, you can wear patella tendon straps to give more love to your knees. Im sorry about your bad experience with the guide, but i think if you use package by Amazing Borneo Tours or Mountain Torq - it'll be much better.
@oheyjelly
Жыл бұрын
@Moego Thank you!! The surgeon's boot lacing technique really helped a lot, and we shared this with our friends too. 😄 I wore knee guards throughout the climb up & down, but the old knees are still pretty banged up hahaha. It was especially painful coming down - really need to work on this technique that you've shared so that my next climb will be more tolerable! 😩
@tzew
Жыл бұрын
thanks @moego, we take that tip for our next hike 😅, the descent was really a pain and I had knee bulges for a wk thereabouts post-KK. Funniest thing was that Jelly and myself couldn't even climb stairs for a few days straight and has to painfully go the longer ramped routes around our estates. Those oofs and urghs are still very vivid in our memories 😄
Thank you guys for your fantastic video on mount Kinabalu hike. I stumbled upon your vid while searching for info about Kinabalu hiking as my bf and we are planning to do the hiking sometime next year. Thanks again and appreciate the tips etcs.
@oheyjelly
Ай бұрын
Hello!! Thanks for the lovely comment & for joining the @oheyjelly KZread fam! ☺ We're glad to hear that you found the information shared helpful in your hike planning and preparation. Mt. Kinabalu is still one of the most tiring hikes I've ever done (remember to do more squats and step-ups/downs in your training!), but the view at the summit was....breathtaking. 😍 Do share with us your experiences and stories after you guys conquer the mountain! We'll be delighted to learn more.
@honeybee4393
Ай бұрын
@@oheyjelly Yes sure , will send you guys some update . Thank you
this was very helpful. i'll be going next week and these tips ease my worries
@oheyjelly
Ай бұрын
Hello there! Thanks for joining the @oheyjelly KZread fam & dropping us a comment. 😄We're glad to hear that you found the information we've shared useful. Do update us again on your experience, after you're back from your hike! You can do it~💪
Valuable information. Appreciate it for your sharing ❤
@oheyjelly
4 ай бұрын
Hello there! Thanks for watching our vlog & joining the @oheyjelly KZread fam! Glad to know that the video provided you with info you need. Have a good hike!! 💪🏻😊
4:27 - 4:37, pain aside, this short clip showed how exhausting descending (and in heavy rain) was. Proud of Jelly for managing despite hurting knees. All I could do was remember to take her on those last few stairs, and jointly reached that last step together. Unfortunately, the hike pole decided to take a plunge and the gopro got sidetracked. 5:02 Wild Mr P appears! 7:11 Mr P list to add 2x plastic bags for dirty clothes. Dont play play, ntuc charges 5cts per bag now. The packed lunch also comes with a plastic bag which can be reused. 7:54 Jelly regretted not packing insulating layer, Mr P regretted not packing TWO insulating layers. A cold Jelly is no joke, so she gets the insulating layer. 13:08 thanks again to our sub @Moego for the feet-saving boot lace technique! Guess the trade off for a perfect summit weather was the heavy rain during descent. That said, we were thankful to everyone we cross paths with. Not sure if it is due to the similar experiences (i.e.sufferings), but most were encouraging in their own way. A simple hello, all the best and hard truths help realign our focus towards the climb. Have you climbed Kinabalu before? Share your experience with us here!
@oheyjelly
Жыл бұрын
Haha, would have appreciated a FREE piggyback ride by the last few metres. 😛But yes, it has been such an experience pre-climb, during the climb, and also reflecting on myself post-climb. We honestly never know how strong our bodies (and minds) are until we put them to the test. Glad that we summitted and descended safe and sound 😊
Another brilliant video, I love your presentation style, consise with a great mixture of information and fun. Congratulations on getting to the summit.
@oheyjelly
11 ай бұрын
@angelahorton5745 Thanks again, for your lovely words. It really means a lot to me when I receive comments as such. 🥲 Will continue to do my best~🥰
Thanks so much for sharing your joy and pain points as well. It is good info for me as I am going to climb KK in Jun 2024 in a big group of 16 pax from SGP. Thank you so much from this 65-year old uncle. LOL
@tzew
9 ай бұрын
Thank you for watching our vlog and we hope our tips helped. Climbing at a steady pace really helped and hopefully you will get clear skies too. Good luck and let us know how your climb goes💪
@oheyjelly
9 ай бұрын
Hellooo @keanchyeneoh9597 thanks for watching our video and leaving us a comment! 😄 Age is but a number - It's awesome knowing that you're planning for a KK climb next year with your friends from SGP! With proper training, preparation (I would think hiring a porter to bring your barang up/down for you will be a wiser choice haha) and good weather, it'll be a successful and safe climb for everyone! Listen to your body, stay hydrated and pace yourself. We'll love to hear how your climb went, so do leave us a comment again then!! 🤩 All the best, and JIAYOU~~
TIL surgeon boot tying knot 👍🏻 15 years ago someone in my group was stretchered down, so it might be rm600x4 per km 😅 And yes Diamox gives you tingles! Super helpful Q&A, congrats on summit, and looking forward to your Rinjani climb vid 😎
@oheyjelly
Жыл бұрын
Overall thankful all of us made it up & down safely. The Diamox-induced tingling is quite annoying and lasts so longggg, but thankfully we didn't suffer much of the AMS symptoms. 🤭 Cc. @tzew Rinjani/Mulu/Kili next? 😬
@tzew
Жыл бұрын
@@oheyjelly Wait a min.. since when was Kili an option? Stop this madness!
Hi, video very useful. Tks for the tips. One quick question- when you all were climbing to the summit - can you leave your main backpack at the hut and pick it up enroute during the descent? I noticed from the base up to midpoint, the bags were bigger but from midpoint to summit, everyone seems to be carrying smaller bag. Tks
@oheyjelly
2 ай бұрын
Hello there! Thanks for watching our vlog & finding it useful! Yes, when you're making the summit attack, there's no need to bring along your main backpacks. Just pack a small one to put water and other stuff you might need for 2-3 hours when you summit and make your way back down to panalaban. You will collect your main backpacks after returning from summit, have some food at the restaurant (if you're in time for lunch), and head back down to base after.
We’re going to Kinabalu this Saturday! Have a few questions, will be great if Goh can help: 1. Are there charging ports at the hostel? Phones and watches battery drain quickly in wondering if power bank is needed 2. Do you shower after the first night 😅 3. Would it be ok if I wear shorts up the first day (before reaching Panalaban will it be too cold)?
@oheyjelly
4 ай бұрын
Hello there! Thanks for watching our vlog & dropping us a comment! 😊 1. For the accoms at Panalaban, there should be charging ports located on the walls near the beds. However, when we were there, we were informed that electricity is not turned on 24hrs - since many things were powered by generators & there was intention to save energy. That's why charging via provided ports (given that u bring your charging heads & cables) is not reliable imho. I'll recommend that you bring the nec. portable battery/power banks to charge your devices. And yes, battery drains extremely fast, especially in colder conditions, so this is something for you to note. 2. Shower facilities are provided (as u can tell from the video), but we only used the stalls for changing clothes. There is no water heater, so unless you would like an ice cold shower on top of the cold weather... I wouldn't recommend it haha. There was a guy in my hostel who tried showering and all i could hear from the shower cubicle were curse words for 10mins straight. 😂😂 He also spent a good chunk of time shivering & trying to warm up thereafter. The rest of us did wet wipes n powder baths. 😊 A change into dry & clean clothes really help! 3. I've seen some hikers wear shorts/biker tights as they summit to Panalaban. Depending on your tolerance for cold & winds (sometimes rain), some don't change. Others will start to pull on jackets & longer pants...or change into thicker clothes after settling down at the hostel. I prefer to keep my muscles warm though hahaha. The cold tends to invite more muscle cramping in my case 🥲. Hope these tips help. Let me know if you have more questions...and all the best for the hike!! Enjoy the process ✨.
@de_amoureux
4 ай бұрын
Thanks so much!! Very helpful. I was about to abandon my knitted long sleeve but based on your email I’m adding one more layer instead 😬 hopefully we can succeed (haven’t been training too much since mid March 😭)
@oheyjelly
4 ай бұрын
Haha, I would say it's better to err on the side of caution because the weather up at Mt Kinabalu is unpredictable! About a week after our trip, hikers experienced snow&ice at the summit! It made the summit attack more dangerous due to the slippery terrain. 😲 Instead of knits, perhaps consider heat tech., or some insulated inner wear such as fleece lined tops/hoodies/jackets. Windproof jackets help too! We didn't opt for porters so we tried to pack lightweight and multi-functional clothes into our bags. 😮💨 Logistics aside, I always say this to people attempting the climb - enjoy the process & companionship (if you're going with friends 🤗). Also, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. It's important to be aware of your heart rate, breathing, water intake, any altitude sickness symptoms such as dizziness, nausea etc. Safety & health is always more important than the need to summit - the mountain will not move, so we can always try again haha! 👍 Look forward to hearing stories of your adventures when you're back! :) @@de_amoureux
Congrats. agreed on all things mentioned. I know the feeling, been the 6 times. Fortunate that on one of the hikes, I went up via Mesilau route before the quake in 2015. I will suggest that you consider trying out Mt Rinjani in Lombok, Indonesia. That mountain has another charm of its own
@oheyjelly
Жыл бұрын
@hishamosman4341 Hello there! Thanks for watching the vlog & leaving us a comment! 🥰 And wow, 6 times up Kinabalu?? That's an amazing feat. We wanna try out Mt. Rinjani some time soon, but it's definitely a tougher hike compared to Kinabalu, and requires a few more days (away from work & home) as well. Mr. P and I will need to keep up with our physical training in the mean time! 💪 How was the hike up Rinjani for you? Would love to hear more about your experience & learn some pre-climbing tips from a seasoned hiker like you. ☺
Thank you for sharing. The footage was great and the Q&A part in particular really helps. I have another question. Along the trail there were few stops for R&R. How long did the guide allow you to rest?
@oheyjelly
Жыл бұрын
@ridwanabdullah9314 Hello! Thanks for watching the vlog & I'm glad to hear that it was helpful for you 😄 As you're climbing, you can choose to stop at the "designated" rest stops/shelters for a snack/drink. Inform your guide that you'll be stopping, and for how long. Most of the time, we'll stop for about 5mins or so (he wouldn't let you take long breaks either), because stopping for too long can actually affect your climbing momentum, making it difficult to start climbing again. However, if you are starting to feel ill, dizzy, find it tough to breathe, thirsty, or really tired, please take these breaks even if there are no designated stops/shelters. Again, just let your guide know. He/she is there to ensure your safety at all times!
@ridwanabdullah9314
Жыл бұрын
@@oheyjelly Thanks a lot. Hopefully the 5 minutes rest for each stop can replenish my energy. My wife and I plan to climb MK middle of August this year.
@oheyjelly
Жыл бұрын
@@ridwanabdullah9314 Hope you guys have a safe & fun climb! 😊Remember to enjoy the process and be there for each other (the encouragements & emotional support helps during tough times). Also, if 5min breaks aren't enough, tell your guide u need more time to rest or simply go slower! Listen to what your body says & dont push too hard beyond your physical limits. My motto is that it's not worth it to lose a life over this. 🙏🏻
You all are super fit. Congratulation on reaching the summit!
@oheyjelly
Жыл бұрын
Hello there! Thanks for watching & subscribing to the channel 🥰. Yes, we really trained as much as we could to build physical strength. Encouraging one another along the way really helps too! Have you climbed Kinabalu before?😀
@tobyteng7522
Жыл бұрын
@@oheyjelly Hi Jelly, I just returned from Low's Peak. I struggled all the way. 😅
@oheyjelly
Жыл бұрын
@@tobyteng7522 Hi Toby, great work getting to Low's Peak! 🥳 It's definitely not an easy climb - all of us struggled in our own ways and managed to keep going because we were cheering ourselves on (and also cos' we just wanted to get it over and done with carrying our full load bags). I suffered and struggled VERY PAINFULLY going back down to Timpohon gate. 😖
@tzew
Жыл бұрын
@@tobyteng7522 Hi Toby, happy to hear that you made it. Jelly, myself and our friends were all struggling at some point, but what is most important is that you were there, and you tried. Hope you enjoyed the climb!
congratz for reaching the summit, but sad to hear about your guide. did you get to choose your own guide? gladly we didnt experience such a guide last december. I was kinda a slow person and we calmly walk our way to laban rata til 7.20pm under the rain (wit 2 personal guide) and our dinner was waiting for us (packed). Thou we didnt reach the summit, our guide was happily bring us for photos and video session there. But yea descending is a hassle and took us about 6hr. One lesson that i learn, bring 2 power bank....i overcharged my phone during my sleep and by the time we descend, my phone out of juice already
@oheyjelly
Жыл бұрын
Thank you!! 😊 We did not get to choose our guide - he was assigned to us after we registered and went through the safety briefing at the Park HQ. It's so nice reading about how patient and encouraging your guide was - I'm sure he made the climb more enjoyable. 🤗 Descending was such a pain, wasn't it? Coupled with the rain, every step could result in a slip & fall hahaha. I let my phone run out of juice and only started charging it mid-climb. Instead, I used my GoPro to video moments - the endurance battery packs work well in cold weather!
@lz.4fun
Жыл бұрын
@@oheyjelly ahaha pain not so much...but feel so long to arrive timpohon ahha. yea...first few hundred meter from panalaban, while descending, a guy slip infront of us...horror~~ good thing he's okey. didnt manage to capture much memories last time, my action camera forgot memory card...ahaha...mostly rely on my phone. anyway...despite all the pain, fatigue and slow as a snail...i still feel like going for a 2nd round lol. don't know why....just felt like it 😅
@oheyjelly
Жыл бұрын
@@lz.4fun hahaha if you feel like climbing again, do it! 👍🏻 But make sure you train up/train harder for the climb this time...with the changing weather & temperatures, the climb can change frm pleasant to unpleasant within seconds...so it's better to be physically prepared 😛
Hi Jelly, just wondering did panalaban restaurant provide lunch before descending to timpohon gate? Thanks for the insightful video, it’s very helpful for my June climb
@oheyjelly
Жыл бұрын
Hi there! Thanks for watching our video! Makes me very happy to know that it's helpful. :) After you return from the summit, there's a meal provided at the restaurant. Judging from the time i.e. 8 to 9am thereabouts, it should be a breakfast (that has to last you till you reach the base at Timpohon gate). The three of us were so exhausted after returning from the summit that we skipped breakfast (no appetite😅), packed our bags and set off early, in hopes that we can reach Timpohon earlier haha. But in the end it rained...so thankfully we DID set off earlier.😆
@tzew
Жыл бұрын
@mandaismyname enjoy the climb! stay safe and it will def be a trip to remember 😄
Hi!! Thanks for the insightful video and tips!! I would like to know what kind of training or preparation would be good. Also any recommendations on where can I buy most of the items like head lamps, windproof jacket, and hiking boots!! :))
@tzew
Жыл бұрын
@fiddlefoddle hello there, thanks for watching our vlog, hope the tips helped. Pre-training wise, definitely do loops at bukit timah or fort canning. We had time for abt 10 sessions prior to climb. For bukit timah, you can train at rengas/cave path/ summit steps and the main concrete steep slope. You can also train with double steps at Hdb staircases. Gear wise, decathlon will be good for ancillary accessories (head lamp, gloves, hike poles etc). For protection gear, it will be good to invest in better quality. Eg for jacket, it will be useful to bring along one that double up with a insulator layer. For boots, best to get a pair that is waterproof, suitable for rocky terrains and fitting. Good luck if you are climbing! 🙂
@fiddlefoddle
Жыл бұрын
@@tzew thank u :)) how was the internet connection btw
@oheyjelly
Жыл бұрын
@fiddlefoddle Hello!! It makes me happy knowing that you found the video useful! :) 🤗 To add onto Mr. P's comment, I personally did additional training in preparation for the climb. You can consider going for 5km runs at least twice a week - I feel that this builds our stamina and our lungs capacity to take in oxygen better.😆 I also clocked in some time at the gym on the stairs master, walking the treadmill on maximum incline, and also doing tons of squats and step-ups/step-downs. All these build strength in our lower body. Depending on whether you'll be hiring a porter to carry your belongings up/down the climb, or if you're carrying them yourself...you'll need to build upper body strength too! During your outdoor training sessions, carry a backpack with weights (as close as possible to the actual weight which you'll be bringing for the actual climb). Otherwise, the actual climb carrying your bag will definitely kill your shoulders, back and neck. 🥲 For gear: I had my North Face jacket which is water/wind proof, and Columbia boots. Break into your hiking boots before the climb - blisters and abrasions are added discomfort you want to avoid. Water proof boots is a bonus, esp. because Kinabalu weather is super unpredictable. Nonetheless, bring extra socks in case yours get wet climbing up.😐 We were both on roaming data plan and the connection was close to zero at base camp & summit. I've heard that local SIM cards fare better in that aspect.
Hi! I'm planning to hike up Mt Kinabalu too! Which company did you engage for the hike up?
@oheyjelly
Жыл бұрын
@myanrzm3902 Hello there! Thanks for watching our vlog! 🥰 We booked our climb package through Borneo Calling. You can google them to read the reviews & check out their other packages
@myanrzm3902
Жыл бұрын
i see!! thank you so much!!
@oheyjelly
Жыл бұрын
@@myanrzm3902 No problem! Hope you'll have a safe & fun climb up Mt. Kinabalu 😄
Beautiful views at the top. It’s annoying if your guide just rushes the whole group all the time. I’ll make sure I get my fitness up to date and hopefully to have a decent guide
@oheyjelly
Жыл бұрын
It's an incredible feeling to be above the clouds; knowing that your perseverance and efforts brought you there. 🥲 Guide aside, it has been such a fulfilling experience filled with personal growth and awareness. Start training up and give it a shot early next year!!
@94vrcommodore
Жыл бұрын
@@oheyjelly I’ll do the trip there sometime 😃
@oheyjelly
Жыл бұрын
@@94vrcommodore it'll be a good birthday wish to make 😉
@94vrcommodore
Жыл бұрын
@@oheyjelly my wishes will come true for a 44 year old ✌🏻😃🥳
can u share the trg u did to prepare for kk hike?
@tzew
3 ай бұрын
@joeyboey9558 hello there, thanks for watching our vlog. For our pre-hike training, we mainly climbed cycles on our block stairs (40 floors) with increasing weights and transiting from single step to double. We also hiked cycles at Bukit Timah via Rengas / cave/ summit / dairy farm paths. Try to space out your training with consistency so you have recovery time in between. You could consider starting training 1.5-2months ahead of actual climb. Post hike, we felt that the double and repeated soil steps (rengas path) and steep gradient slope (going up to BT summit) helped most in terms of training the muscle groups for KK terrain. Hope this helps, have a good KK hike 🏔️
@oheyjelly
3 ай бұрын
Hi! Adding onto Mr. P's comment, you may also want to consider doing squats and step-up, step-down & side-step training. Some cardio training would also help with building your stamina and breathing (comes in handy when you're hiking at high altitude). If you're carrying your own bags while hiking ie. No porters, consider incorporating upper body strength training too. Heavy bags really put a strain on your back, shoulders and neck over time 🥲. Hope these tips help! Have a great hike ⛰️😀✨.
@joeyboey9558
3 ай бұрын
@@oheyjelly @tzew thank you both!
what is insulated layer? I saw heat tech in your list..was that not sufficient?
@oheyjelly
Жыл бұрын
@fairyangel8412 Weather conditions on Mt. Kinabalu is unpredictable. It was really cold when we were at Panalaban & it grew even colder when night fell. Personally, heat tech was not sufficient. Additionally, i did not bring Ultra Heat tech, just the normal ones (for lighter weight & takes less space in my bag), since I had assumed that it wouldn't be SO cold either. 😞 Insulated layer refers to a thin puffy jacket/down, or a fleece jacket. Again, i chose not to bring becos of weight/space concerns, but majorly regretted cos it was so cold i could barely sleep a wink. What to bring is quite a hit/miss, since we cannot fully predict the weather at base camp/summit/climbing. One moment it's hot, then storming, windy, chilly etc. Just days after our climb, it snowed at summit & there was ice too! 😅
@fairyangel8412
Жыл бұрын
@@oheyjelly thanks for the insight..!I'm going next month n I'll bring along my fleece jacket then 😁😁
@oheyjelly
Жыл бұрын
@@fairyangel8412 Yes, I'm sure you'll be thankful that you brought your jacket(s) when it's very cold up there at night haha. Being over-prepared is better than under-prepared 😛Have a good climb, be safe & always listen to your body! Watch out for altitude sickness too! ☺Have fun~~