Time for those who are into hiking, need to do some homework on how to explore new mountains instead of sticking to the same path

To be honest, I couldn't remember the trail completely.

As I know the route starts from near a building mark with either block C or E. Behind the block which is on your left there is a tar road. Trek the road for about 5 -10 minutes and there is a junction on your right that marks the trail.

As Chenuang is less hike by people, advisable to engage a guide. Warning - lots of leech due to wet terrain and possible encountering wild cat/ leopard.

http://mytravelkaki.com/

Look for Mr. Wai Kong. Tell him Alvin introduce.

I have yet to engage his service for Nepal before but he is a professional guide for Kinabalu. Meet him else where when I am trekking in some mountains. Friendly guy.

I think you get the route from here?

http://www.malsingmaps.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6169

That TS was one of my hiking friend

I forgotten where I lead him to last time, too many trips. All good old memories

Leeches that bite at the upper body are more likely tiger leeches. Woot!

Nope, as I am still concentrating in Malaysia mountains. Still got so many I have yet to conquer.

However ABC or EBC should not be a difficult task for those who are used to hiking. The only thing that matters will be AMS symptoms fearing that your body could not cope with the high altitude of the hike as their average height are 3000m.

You must be not hiking there for a long long time. LOL.

Sorry for the late reply as I am away for a hike but it seems others help you a lot with their opinion.

Head torchlight - Petzl brand is one of the top 1 around RM 80 if I am not mistaken but you could go to ACE Hardware shop to get those Energizer headlamp which is sufficient for your hike.

If you are going for hiking glove in Kinabalu, this you have to judge by your own. As weather could be unpredictable in Kinabalu, you could go for two options: -

a. Those winter type of gloves - which could help you to warm your hand up but con when it comes to rain. Since most of them are wool and cotton, it will get soak and you will feel cold.
b. Those gardeners use - typical cheap but not much of the use when to keep yourself warm.

To be honest not much of the use for insect repellent there as hardly got insects buzzing around you during the hike and due to the height and the climate, that just not so comfortable for insects to disturb you.

Energy bar and drinks are personal preference. Some could get expensive energy bars like Power Bar, some opt for normal chocolate like Snikers and etc. Both serve the same function as the contain of the Energy level stated near the food code are roughly the same. Some ain't like Power Bar as it could be too sweat at times.

Same applied for drinks. The best option you are looking at will be Gatorade and 100 Plus. Some prefer taking along ORS (Oral Rehydration Salt) with mineral water.

Hope my advices do help you in your expedition.

I did hike a lot in Indonesia after Malaysia. Batur is relatively easy with an average of 2-2.5 hour hike and you could view the lake and Gunung Agung (a tougher mountain to hike in Bali if you are keen)

Most people will opt for Ijen Kawah and Gunung Bromo package (personally I do not prefer Ijen Kawah at all), Gunung Kerinci, Gunung Merapi, Gunung Rinjani, and many more.

As mention to the earlier post, gloves do help just that rain doesn't help you even you are in gloves. Usage of gloves in Kinabalu - to keep you warm and to make sure you could have a better grip to grab the ropes. Normally people will grab a windbreaker.

Weather is unpredictable in Kinabalu. Hope lady luck is by your side although some said best month to hike in Kinabalu will be month of March and April.

Not bad, a lot of people of responding here since I am away. Just return from my hiking trip. Crazy mountain LOL

What do you mean by per pay?

Relatively cheap if you asked me. Mine add another 0

As the higher you go, the chances of you encountering wind are higher. Supposingly this should be under the Kinabalu thread but since it is here, let me explain in brief to you.

Day 1 (hike to Laban Rata)
Basic trekking attire -
* dry fit shirt
* short/long pants (doesn't matter but things gets a lil chilly when you hit 5.5/6km mark),
* rain coat (preferable dispoable type, can get in Watson/ 7-11 for RM5 or 8 Laban Rata do sell but at around RM10) * good trekking shoes with socks (kampung adidas is a good option without those studs)
* food and drink
* a cap (just to ensure if weather just too hot)

Day 2 (summit attempt)
* second shirt for hiking
* long pants (you can reuse back the same pants you used on the first day if you do not mind)
* second disposable rain coat (just in case you used the first, in this case if it rain on day 2, chances u to scale Kinabalu gets lower as Sayat gate will close for sure)
* head lamp (crucial!)
* beanie (mainly to cover your ears since it is cold in the peak)
* gloves (as per explain earlier - personally I prefer those water resistant type)
* water proof jackets/ windbreaker (nasty wind will slap your face if you are unlucky)
* socks (if the first day rain and you need to change another)
* food and drink

Other items which you might consider
* trekking pole (you will hardly use on summit attempt but when return back to Timpohon gate, it could be useful)
* camera (for very obvious reason)
* sunblock (for princess only, sorry no offence)
* deep heat (thou some might hate the smell, it is a fast option to make your muscle warm up)
* AMS tablets (read more details about AMS and please take note that some died in Kinabalu due to this)
* ORS tablets (for rehydration purposes if you sweat a lot)
* slippers
* clean clothing for your normal wear

I might miss out a few points as I am writing this while I am thinking here in front of the PC. Thanks for reading.

No worries. Feel free to ask.

The reason to get a waterproof jacket is to avoid getting cold. It is like you are staying in Laban Rata and you have the option to shower or not with cold water. ROFL.

Waterproof jacket could be expensive. I got mine for around RM1.2-1.8k. Some could not afford it and get a normal cotton or synthetic jackets which could absorb rain water. Poncho is a option to help you reduce your cost instead of invest heavily like mine. I used it for a lot of hikes therefore it is worth every penny. If you to do Kinabalu, you will think twice.

Sport shoes not recommended. Not those from Nike, Adidas, Lacoste, etc. You need a proper hiking shoes, not even running . Again, hiking shoes will be around 150-300 bucks and kampung adidas is erm RM10 the most. Your choice again. Kampung adidas can just dump away after that if you no longer need them but hiking shoes, you need to wash them and dry them. The major differences between both shoes are hiking shoes protect your ankle better than kampung adidas. If you got confident that you would not injured your ankle, kampung adidas is always a better option. Did you wear socks when you went Broga with those shoes?

One thing I always encourage people to do - engage a guide to carry your items. Come on it is just RM 10-12 per kg for once of a lifetime hike. Just share with your friends, everything fit into a bag and pass to the guide to carry. Easy peasy.

I never felt Bujang Melaka was a difficult hike. It is pretty confusing during the start if you are not familiar with the starting point.

I just came back from Gunung Tapis and you should try that. I confirmed you will curse the whole hike. Roughly the same height as Gunung Nuang but hell crazy of the terrain to mess with.

He was referring to pants and socks. Compression socks around RM30 max but my pants is way more than that. As mentioned in all the old post, I invested alot in all my gear. I know what I need, and what I do not need.

As said, your style is to rush but for me I prefer leisure. I do not find any points to push my body to that extend.

Tapis you can try doing day trip, but I am sure you wouldn't be ready to face such uphill task. Their never ending route will be the first to kill you.

You are right about the brand but Goretex have few types.

I wore it most of the time since it is a water repellent wind breaker. In Malaysia I wore em depending what are the mountain height I am scaling. Need to be at least 1,700 m range.

Material wise are meant to be comfortable and it is ultra light. Some are meant to adapt to 4 seasons instead of 3.

Mine doesn't come with removable fleece. Fleece I buy separate fearing that the zipper will spoil in long run usage