Advice about going to Borneo

Hi MP,

This isn't exactly the forum, but everyone here is so well traveled I figured I'd ask.

I'm heading to borneo for a week, to hopefully climb Mt. Kinabalu for two of those days. I'm a little stumped as to what must see things I should do before then. I'm looking for things that can be accomplished over 4-5 days, so minimal travel.I do want to see an orangutan, but not sure where. Any advice? I'm flying into Kota Kinabalu. Thanks!

I'm not sure where you'd go see orangutans, I didn't do that when I was in Borneo. If you're a scuba diver, there are some great diving on Mabul Island on the east coast. Some fun alpine rock on Kinabalu too if you're going there with a partner, you can spend a few more days on top of Mt. Kinabalu for the technical climbing. I was there with some friends a couple years ago, we spent two weeks up there, and we put up some fun FAs on the summit plateau.

Thanks! Is there a climbing book or anything that I can pick up? I don't see much on MP.

This seems to be a pretty comprehensive list on the orangutan sanctuaries.. lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/…

As far as I remember, you will be required to hire a guide for Mt. Kinabalu even though the trail is easy and well defined. They will want you to pay for a two day hire (as you had planned anyway) even though it is possible to do it in one. There are huts you stay overnight in and they have food for purchase. Aside from the Kinabalu hike, I would suggest diving. It's amazing there....lots of sea life to see.

I tried to find some technical climbing in Borneo but no luck on partners or info. Apparently, there is a ton of climbing there in Sabah and it's in this guidebook, climb-asia.com/home/climbin…

I purchased mine from the climbing gym in Kuala Lumpur. You'd definitely have more luck on technical climbing and partners if you go there. But if you get the chance to check out the walls around Mt. Kinabalu, do it! Sounds and looks amazing!

Safe travels, have fun!

I don't know if there are any published guidebooks for Kinabalu. Last time I was there, we got all the beta from the handwritten notebook kept in the summit cabin (not the half way guesthouse for all the hikers). Whoever puts up a new route basically just added the route beta and topo to that notebook. But I guess that's not going to help you unless you're planning on staying on the summit for a few days.

Anfarwal wrote:Hi MP, This isn't exactly the forum, but everyone here is so well traveled I figured I'd ask. I'm heading to borneo for a week, to hopefully climb Mt. Kinabalu for two of those days. I'm a little stumped as to what must see things I should do before then. I'm looking for things that can be accomplished over 4-5 days, so minimal travel.I do want to see an orangutan, but not sure where. Any advice? I'm flying into Kota Kinabalu. Thanks!

Just a heads up, Mount Kinabalu is not open yet for climbers. Check this website for current updates:
mountkinabalu.com/updates/m…

To see orangutans and other wildlife you'd want to fly to Sandakan. The flights is short (50 minutes from Kota Kinabalu), and you could see everything in one day. You'd head to Sepilok Orangutan rehabilitation center and Labuk Bay Sanctuary. You can see proboscis monkeys and langurs at Labuk.

If you are certified to scuba dive, definitely do a day or two at Mabul Island. Fly to Tuwau (45 min. from Ktoa Kinabalu) then catch a ride to Semporna (1 hr) and a ferry across (45 min). More involved to get to, but some of the best diving in the world.

Enjoy!

aikibujin wrote:I don't know if there are any published guidebooks for Kinabalu. Last time I was there, we got all the beta from the handwritten notebook kept in the summit cabin (not the half way guesthouse for all the hikers). Whoever puts up a new route basically just added the route beta and topo to that notebook. But I guess that's not going to help you unless you're planning on staying on the summit for a few days.

Climb Malaysia guidebook (very nice, modern guidebook with beautiful photos) has 32 pages on technical climbing on Mt. Kinabalu.

In the link, click on "Malaysia"
climb-asia.com/home/climbin…

Thanks for the advice everyone! I'm planning on going there in early December, so I think the summit will be open for business then. I secured a permit and a guided trip on Mountain Torq, but now that I've found out about actual technical climbing I'm wondering if I made a bad decision. Are the routes on there sport, or should I bring a trad rack? And is there anywhere in the US I can pick up that book--it looks amazing!

I'm getting psyched !

Anfarwal wrote:Thanks for the advice everyone! I'm planning on going there in early December, so I think the summit will be open for business then. I secured a permit and a guided trip on Mountain Torq, but now that I've found out about actual technical climbing I'm wondering if I made a bad decision. Are the routes on there sport, or should I bring a trad rack? And is there anywhere in the US I can pick up that book--it looks amazing! I'm getting psyched !

They have a website and FB (Climb Asia, the folks that put out the guidebook) and their number is also listed if you want to Skype or call them. Should be easy to ask if you can buy one and have it shipped. Or if your stops include Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, you can purchase in person. Several of the climbing gyms have them in stock. If you have it mailed, just be aware they are on "island time" out there. Super nice and chill but don't wait til last minute for anything. December seems to be plenty of time.

Their contact: climb-asia.com/home/contact/

Facebook: m.facebook.com/ClimbAsia?ts…

As for sport or trad out there, I don't know. I'd guess bolted as most everything is Asia is sport/bolted. They supposedly have big walls on Mt Kinabalu though. Another question that would be better answered by the locals with Climb Asia. Good luck!

First thing, you will be In Sabah. Yes, that's on Borneo, but an important distinction when talking with Locals. They like to distinguish between Themselves and Sarawak somewhat, but more importantly between themselves and Mainland Malaysia, and of course from Kalimantan (Indonesia).
The people there are very kind and accommodating. The granite on Kinabalu is wonderful, and I'm relieved that you have secured your permit/guide. Do it and then get some technical climbing in as well.
If you have an open day, the snorkeling out on Tiga Phulu (three islands) is not bad if the water is calm, and the river rafting is both great and a cultural experience. The "train" ride up the hill to the put-in is an amazing experience in and of itself if you want to see what the rest of the world considers normal... unless they have replaced that thing. Have a camera ready and do it! (there is a picture of that here:
mountainproject.com/v/10590… )

Meals can be had down on the water front at the night market in front of the Sheraton for quite cheap. (IE grilled tuna steak, curry, and fried bananas for $2-3) The food is generally good and safe if well cooked. Watch out for/avoid sauces that you don't see boiling, but that said, I never had any trouble and I ate dinner down there most nights. you can bring home spices so long as they are fully ground up. I recommend doing so!

Enjoy your trip, you are going to one of my most favorite places in the world! There is no wasted time there unless you spend it in your room or out drinking. Just go do stuff.