The Low's Peak

FuFu Travel - Kota Kinabalu, Sabah -
18 - 24 April 2009 + Episode Four + The Low's Peak +


Still sleepy but ready for the challenging and exciting climb.

After a night's rest, we woke up at 2am and had breakfast at 2.30am. We left at 3am for the three-hour trek to the summit and to catch the magnificent sunrise, weather permitting as what the guide told us.


"We're the AU20 Climbers. Ready to conquer the Low's Peak, over."


The trail winds up from a steep walkway.

In the dark, what we could see were the beams of torch lights as the procession of climbers trudge higher and higher. There are ladders, hand railings and ropes to help us over the steeper slopes. The most thrilling part was the few hundreds metres before the peak where you need to grasp the rope all the way up.


All the climbers had their own headlights on but not FuFu.


But do remember to grasp the rope or you would fall.


It real helped us over the steeper slope.


Watch out! It's real damn narrow here.


See the contrast between guide and the climbers.


The four of us continued climbing first with a guide.

An hour from Panar Laban, we arrived the check point of Sayat-Sayat Hut (3668m), the highest shelters on the mountain. We registered our name there to make sure the number of climbers in and out would be the same for the checking later. From there, we walked across the bare granodiorite slabs that stretch endlessly ahead, in an eerie moonscape of stone.


They quickly laid on the rock once we reached the check point.

By about 6am, we reached the final destination - the Low's Peak (4095.2m). However the weather was not permitting and it's foggy. Unfortunately, we couldn't see the rumour magnificent sunrise. Anyway, i will definitely be back for it next time.


Yeah, FuFu was on top of the Low's Peak at 4095.2m.


We're on the highest point of Low's Peak on Mount Kinabalu.

As the highest mountain in Malaysia and the prominent mountain in Southeast Asia, this gorgeous granodiorite massif stands at 4095.2m tall. The views of the surrounding peaks are magnificent.


FuFu was extremely disappointed to see the fog on the peak.


Yes, only four of us got up to the Low's Peak.


Anyway, the foggy view on the peak was not that bad at all.


The fog gave different effect so i turned the mode to black & white.


The spiritual wish must have transmitted to the God of Kinabalu.


The sky suddenly had become clear in just a second.


We all crazily shouted which we shouldn't do. Gotta respect the God.

Low's Peak is the majestic summit of Borneo, the focal point of the Park and the whole of Sabah. Such is the importance of this mountain that the state capital Jesselton was renamed to Kota Kinabalu (City of Kinabalu) in 1964.


Front the vantage point, we saw a dramatic drop more than 1000m.


That's the mysterious Low's Gully.


An expedition successfully descended into the Gully in 1998.


It's a Malaysian-British expedition if you want to know.


Those have height phobia are not advisable to get closer there.


We're going down from Low's Peak.


We had spent too much time on Low's Peak snapping pictures.


It's time to leave although FuFu wished to stay longer.


It's advisable to descend slowly and carefully.


And we came near to the South Peak.


The distinctive South Peak to the south make up incredible scenery.


It's a satisfying climbing trip to Mount Kinabalu.


Anyway we couldn't wait any longer to get closer to the peak.


Hey yo, South Peak is the most beautiful peak of Mount Kinabalu.


Teach us not to yell as we're seeing this stunning view.


See this girl - she stood steadily enjoying the spectacular view.


Thanks God for the clear weather.


Sorry guys, FuFu just couldn't stop snapping South Peak.


FuFu was deeply impressed by the beautiful scenery.


And we're advised to descent as soon as possible.


But with such good mountain condition, we chose to stay longer.


"Attention : 002, 004, 006 and 007 are on South Peak."


It was freaking cold there. *chilling*


If there's love at first sight, South Peak is FuFu second first love.




The Hut tells us that we had walked 8km far at 3929m.


We camwhored here despite of the chilly wind. lol


Not willing to leave and the guide was waiting for us.


Freaking cold but still wanna take pictures.


Two of the girls were half frozen already.


The four of us on South Peak.


We demonstrated the scene of how we climbed up in the morning.


It's a challenging and exciting part nonetheless.


Well, FuFu could be the ambassador of Mount Kinabalu.


Sure can promote Mt. Kinabalu better than any advertisements.


"Hey guys, try to conquer the mountain."


"Just do it with NIKE."


We're standing higher than clouds.


We could somehow imagine how the surface of moon looks like.


"Shall not we turn left?"


Seriously, FuFu couldn't find any more word to describe.


But deeply, slowly and truly appreciating the greatness of nature.


And also, snapping here and there.


From every different angle.


Aiming any object as well.


We're standing at the summit plateau.


Enjoying the view with Kundasang small town.


Sometime the swirling clouds could obstruct visibility.


Oh my gosh, this is so picturesque.


Everyone needs companions to live together. Have you find yours?


"Glad i have you guys walking side by side with me."


Wow, in front of us was a great mountain formation.


Love her pose and it makes the picture so awesome!


Hohoho, FuFu is the Ultraman.


The joint shooting of Nautica and NIKE on the peak of the mountain.


Lovely shot. As if the hurdle race on the peak.


The few pebbles piled up thingy can be spotted everywhere.


Amazingly, the pebbles won't fall despite the strong wind.


Donkey Ears Peak looks like a couple facing to Low'sPeak.


Nice shot of Bill snapping pictures.


Well captured! Awesome.


This trip enlightened FuFu, human beings are actually very tiny.


The goat shaped clouds.


Wonder how we managed to climb up all the way from Timpohon.


While waiting Bill, we enjoyed the view over the Kundasang village.


Simply love the picturesque scenery.


"Errr... call us a helicopter and send me back to KK downtown."


NIKE's advertisement again. LOL


"HELP. Call 911 immediately please."


FuFu's expression was not very good!!!


The guide taught us the technique how to get down faster.


It's easier to get down if you move backwards.


Wow, it's so romantic.


FuFu, Pui and the toys.


Phew, the guide too was amazed by the gorgeous view.


The swirling clouds started to obstruct the visibility.


It's time to get down for breakfast before 10am.


We're the last few climbers to reach the check point.


The check point officer was waiting us to close the gate.


The four of us at the check point of Sayat-Sayat.


The guide, Benjamin with Yan and her toys.


We're leaving the checkpoint.


Roof of the resthouse gradually could be seen as we descending.


It took us more than three hours getting down from the Low's peak.


The place we had spent a night at - Gunting Lagadan Hut.


After a quick breakfast, we went out to the balcony for pictures.


FuFu & Honey (from Hongkong).


FuFu and Yan (from Hongkong).


FuFu and Pui (from Hongkong).


FuFu and Parry (from Hongkong).


FuFu, Pui and Peggy (Klang, Malaysia).


Miss Hongkong - the winner, first and second runner up.


It's time to get ready descending the mountain.


Last but not least, took the pictures of FuFu's permit card.


FuFu will probably challenge the Via Ferrata next time.


We started climbing down from Laban Rata at 1030am.


Sayonara Laban Rata and Low's Peak.


FuFu couldn't stop taking pictures again, again and all over again.


It's the mossy paradise of drifting clouds, phew.


The view of sea of clouds are perfectly great.


A friend snapped me from the resthouse.


It's my turn to snap them climbing down.


Our target was to climb down as fast as we could.


The awesome scenery along the way climbing down.


We're descending to the altitude of stunted trees.


The lovely cotton tree FuFu met again.


Realised that we hadn't taken any pictures with the guides.


Here our guides Felix and Benjamin, thanks for everything!


Yeah sayonara to the peaks of Mount Kinabalu.

How much we have climbed up equals to how much we need to descend. You may say climbing down is always faster or easier, but it was same at least for us. We took both six hour climbing up and down (pending on fitness level individually). Though the average climbing time from Timpohon Gate to Laban Rata takes about four to five hours.


Issac and Honey reached the goal as 3rd and 4th climbers.


FuFu was not bad at all, the fifth to finish the Timpohon trail.


Yeah, the 6th, 7th and 8th.


Thanks God, we all still in one-piece, although looked exhausted.

[Next Episode : All about Mount Kinabalu]