Climbing Mount Kinabalu in Rainy Season: Tips and Best Practices
Mount Kota Kinabalu, the highest peak on the Malay Peninsula, offers an 8.5 km ascent with a 2100-meter elevation gain, presenting a formidable challenge, particularly on the second day when you must conquer the summit and then descend all the way back to the starting point.
In late December, Kota Kinabalu is still in the grip of the rainy season, and the mountain weather can be notoriously fickle. On our first day, we were fortunate to make swift progress and just managed to reach the base camp ⛺️ as the heavens opened up. Those who arrived later were drenched, and the rain was torrential at times.
If you plan to visit during the rainy season, it’s essential to pack waterproof jackets, pants, and shoes, or at least have a change of clothes. It’s also wise to capitalize on good weather and climb as quickly as possible. We encountered several Malaysians who had only reached the base camp in the afternoon, and they lamented that their shoes were completely soaked, making the already slippery and treacherous path even more challenging.
The rain persisted into the night, adding to the adventure.
The base camp provides three meals: dinner on the first day (served at 4 PM), a light breakfast before the early morning summit push (served at 2 AM), and a hearty breakfast upon your return from the summit. All meals are buffet-style, offering a decent variety of both Asian and Western dishes. However, the coffee is instant and quite weak, so avid coffee drinkers might want to bring their own drip coffee for a more satisfying brew.
I booked a four-person room at the base camp, which featured two bunk beds, and the allocation is random. Only cold water is available for showering, and given the chilly mountain air, it’s advisable to brave the cold for one night. The accommodation has poor sound insulation, and with the early 2 AM wake-up call, a good night’s sleep is a luxury. Just make do, and once you return to the foot of the mountain, you can enjoy a proper shower and rest.
On the second day, we set off at 2:30 AM under the cover of darkness. There are a few steep sections where you may need to use the chain for support, and if it has rained, the path can be quite slippery, so it’s a good idea to bring gloves for added safety.
After reaching the summit, taking photos, and waiting for the breathtaking sunrise, we began our descent. We returned to the base camp for a proper breakfast, packed up, checked out, and then made our way back down to the entrance, concluding our exhilarating adventure.
