Mount KK Hike - Mesilau Trail to Laban Rata

This is my third visit to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The first one was a leisure trip with beautiful beaches, Kinabalu park, Kundasang and Town visits in year 2010. The second trip was the unforgettable The Most Beautiful Thing Ultramarathon (TMBT) back in September 2012.  A group of friends from Sabah and I were running tiredlessly at the foot of majestic Mount Kinabalu and it was a hard push for everyone. May 2014, I came back again, together with my university friends. This time we were going to Low’s Peak of Mount Kota Kinabalu, height at 4095.2m.a.s.l.

From the locals, there was a tale behind the naming of Kinabalu. It was inspired by the everlasting love and loyalty possessed by a Chinese women who was longing for her lover’s return from the Mainland. She was then turned into a stone, forever waiting at the top of cold mountain. Cina-Balu means Chinese-Widow by translation and the word “Kina” came after the lingual influence of the Kadazan Dusun of Sabah...

On 30th April, we met up with Mr. Razi at Kota Kinabalu Airport Terminal 2. He is the contact person throughout this 3d2n hiking tour. The first day was a relaxing one with nature touring around Nabalu town, Kinabalu Park, Kundasang War Memorial, Desa Dairy Farm and the last stop is Mesilau Nature Resort. We have had a good buffet dinner at the resort restaurant before calling it a day. It was a cold night in the Mesilau Nature Resort which located somewhere at 2000m a.s.l.

Kundasang War Memorial.

A historical tour.

Welcomed by big sized cattle.

Hunger cattle feeding.

Mesilau Nature Resort.

 Amazing good food served at Mesilau Nature Resort.

1st May 2014, Labour Day. It is a special yet memorable day. Everyone in the team was awake as early as 7am. After having breakfast, we met with Mr. Yusuf and Mr. Francis. They were our guides cum porters for the hike. After some briefing and settling our loads with them, we made our way into the Mesilau trail at 830am. The main task of the day is to take down the 6 km trail, at least before the sky turned dark and grab some lunch at Lompoyou (S12) Checkpoint.

Beginning of Mesilau Trail (0.5 KM).

Queuing up.

Phobia of staircases...

We are welcomed by some little rivers & bridges along the trail and spotted some big-sized pitcher plants. At KM 4, the real challenge begins. The rolling trail starting to take everyone out of patience. I was able to take in stride and overtook my members. At 1130am, I reached the Lompoyou Shelter (S12), the earliest among all. I have decided to go on the route myself after lunch break, as there were no signs of them closing behind. At KM 6, the intersection of Mesilau Trail and Timpohon Trail,  a striking arrow pointing to “Laban Rata 2 KM” were spotted, FINALLY!!!

KM2.5

Pondok Lompoyou.

The road taken...

Big-sized pitcher plant.

At 1300pm, time for lunch break at Villosa Shelter (S5). I only had some bread and an apple for the noon. The next 5 minutes, the KM 5 signage appeared. I was shocked to learn that my feet were actually standing at a height of 3000m above the sea level. Well Done! That’s the final kilometre to go for the day!

Close to 3000 meters!

Yeah! The last 1km !!!

Sayat-sayat plant along Mesilau Trail.

Keep breathing and keep hiking up!

It was the final challenge. The trail was getting harder with direct flaming from the red-hot sun at such elevation. The low Sayat-Sayat trees in the surrounding were not helping in providing the shade too. By taking in a slower pace and more water breaks, I managed to reach Laban Rata Checkpoint at 2pm finally and checked in at Gunting Lagadan Hut. While the rest of my members arrived at around 4pm. It was a cold night at Gunting Lagadan Hut before the Summit trekking at 2am early morning on the next day. 

Laban Rata.

Take nothing, leave nothing and keep nothing...

3323.3m above sea level.

Menu of restaurant in Laban Rata. We had our dinner here and take away some light breakfast for the next day's early morning hike.

Gunting Lagadan hut.

Early good night at 7pm!

Stay tune of our summit trail on the next day!