The Kinabalu was, is and remains for me the ultimate mountain!
Five years ago, on my first ascent, I was entranced ... My euphoria now: fortunately not a little smaller!
The Kinabalu is with its 4095 meters the highest mountain of Southeast Asia and he is in the truest sense of the word "outstanding": he is 20th in the list of topographically most prominent mountains in the world!
When climbing, you go through various vegetation zones, such as the carnivorous pitcher plants, which are among the largest in the world (and only there are native).
Between my two ascents was the heavy earthquake of 2015 and therefore the route is now slightly different. At that time our guide Rony belonged to the helper team and has even recovered corpses from the mountain.
This time the mountain remained calm and everything else was perfect: the weather was a dream (the day before it had been pouring), better accommodation thanks to free upgrade of our tour package and also a free participation in one of the Via Ferrata, the top of the Are mountain!
In addition, I was able to heal the hike and enjoy everything even more than back then. Five years ago, I had not been able to eat the two days before the ascent, so the way back then was a powerless fight.
Even with Marieke everything was great! Already the overnight at 3300 meters was her personal height record and also the next day she got along well with the summit.
After the almost sleepless night (in spite of light and bed rest at 8 pm) in the cabin dormitory, it started at three o'clock to be at the summit at sunrise. We were a bit too early, which was then punished with merciless freezing, but we could see the nocturnal Kota Kinabalu over 50 kilometers away.
Nevertheless, we have successfully stayed 40 minutes and have been rewarded with beautiful colors! Now I know what "Sunbeams" look like (see photo)!
On the way back we went through the lighter Via Ferrata (a high alpine via ferrata), which was OK, but not as exciting as hoped.
The ascent itself releases significantly more endorphins ?
Alone the summit plateau with pure granite, as far as the eye can see, blew me away again! I love that!
In addition, the permanent view of the sea of clouds ... Wonderful!
As always the way down is the hardest part and the muscles and joints remember this time for a few days ... But we survived and the tour is not only worth it, but an absolute highlight of the trip!
Let's be honest: do you miss the local in the beautiful distance? Pretzels, Angemachter, Sylvanver, ...?
The Angemachten I miss so in Hannover, insofar ...
And I do not miss the Silvaner like that, but the Scheurebe and the Riesling ?