Mount Kinabalu to be fully operational by Dec 1

If everything goes well, Southeast Asia’s tallest mountain will be fully operational by Dec 1 this year.
Efforts have been made to find alternative routes to the damaged trails, between Km6.5 and Km6.7.
However, Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said he hoped Mount Kinabalu would be ready to accept climbers right up to the summit by December.
“Geo-technical studies are being conducted on the trail to the summit while repairs are being done in the less sensitive stretches.
“We, however, have not decided anything on the fees yet,” he told The Rakyat Post today.
Masidi said that during the technical committee meeting on Tuesday, they made several recommendations, which were considered practical by both his ministry and Sabah Parks.

“We have decided that climbing up to Laban Rata will officially be opened from Sept 1, but the number (of climbers) will initially be limited to 100, instead of 192 as in the past.
“Apart from day trips, climbers will also be allowed to spend the night at Laban Rata before descending the next day.”
On June 5, a 6.0 magnitude earthquake hit Sabah, claiming the lives of 14 climbers and four mountain guides. Many were hit or buried by falling rocks, dislodged by the quake.
The mountain trails from both the gateways — the Timpohon Gate and Mesilou — right up to the summit were damaged by fallen rocks and trees, forcing their closure for three months.
Last Saturday, an experimental climb was held for climbers, including rangers, mountain guides and members of the media. This was to experience the hike up in the aftermath of the earthquake.
Signs of the damage to the trail became obvious from 1,500m upwards, where a section of the route had fallen off the cliff. A new path has been carved out for climbers.
Mount Kinabalu attracts thousands of both professional and recreational climbers from across the globe every year.
It is arguably one of Sabah’s most important tourism assets.

Source: The Rakyat Post