Mt Kinabalu and Kota Kinabalu

It's been a while between updates. Left KL and returned to Borneo - Kota Kinabalu, 18 years since we were last here (minus 2 kids). The primary mission was ascending Mt Kinabalu. Frog and I left the girls in KK hoping for good weather. We arrived in the rain but were pleasantly surprised to wake at 6.30am with the clear skies and a view of the summit from our base accommodation. The first part of the climb went well, with frog setting a good pace for the first half of the climb. FYI its a steep 1:4 gradient for the whole climb ( every 4km is an ascent of 1km in altitude). Too say it is steep is an understatement. I don't remember it being that steep 18 years ago (which is either poor memory or lack of fitness - likely the later). Unfortunately, rain set in with about 1km in altitude still yet to conquer the last 2 hours of the climb was in torrential rain, we basically walked up a waterfall. Arrived at Laban Rata accommodation absolutely drenched and exhausted (which I do remember). Got lucky in the morning for our final push with clear skies, which also lasted for half of our descent until the weather set in again. Last 3 km descent in the rain and punishing on the legs. All in all a great walk, great opportunity to share with Frog and some amazing plants, but it'll be a while before I commit to another mountain climb. The legs are in recovery mode.Read more