highest peak of Malaysia and Japan, a Pinoy Solo Hiker experience
"It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves." - Sir Edmund Hillary
The reason why I hiked Mt. Kinabalu (2013) is because I want to go higher on my amateur mountaineering achievement. That time, the highest mountain I summited was Mt. Pulag, 3rd highest in Philippines at 2,922masl for two times (2010 and 2011). Then, at a sudden plan due to appropriate month to hike, I planned to summit Mt. Fuji (2014) which was my first time to hike alone on my entire life and my first time also on night hike.
Mt. Kinabalu from Malaysia and Mt. Fuji from Japan are two of the most popular mountains and tourist-hiker friendly peaks in Asia. As an amateur hiker, this two mountains are the top-most priority on the bucket list. As such, I visited them both and the following was the observation I had during the course. In my honest opinion, Mt. Kinabalu is more technically challenging because (1) Mt. Kinabalu is around 300m higher than Mt. Fuji (2) on the early morning start of the trail, Mt. Kinabalu requires rope to not so vertically ascend (3) Mt. Kinabalu requires 2D/1N to trek for an ordinary hiker
MT. KINABALU (4,095masl) is the highest mountain in Malaysia. Trekking Mt. Kinabalu is expensive trek because it can only be trekked with a recognized local travel agency supported by a mandatory guide and optional porter. The summit push is mildly difficult because of the rope-support ascent early morning and has to descend at around 0600H because of fixed itinerary. On the other hand, MT. FUJI (3,776masl) is the highest mountain in Japan. Trekking Mt. Fuji is not that expensive because it can be done independently (no guide and porter support) and no registration or park fees, only confirmed accommodation is required.
Mt. Kinabalu from Malaysia and Mt. Fuji from Japan are two of the most popular mountains and tourist-hiker friendly peaks in Asia. As an amateur hiker, this two mountains are the top-most priority on the bucket list. As such, I visited them both and the following was the observation I had during the course. In my honest opinion, Mt. Kinabalu is more technically challenging because (1) Mt. Kinabalu is around 300m higher than Mt. Fuji (2) on the early morning start of the trail, Mt. Kinabalu requires rope to not so vertically ascend (3) Mt. Kinabalu requires 2D/1N to trek for an ordinary hiker
MT. KINABALU (4,095masl) is the highest mountain in Malaysia. Trekking Mt. Kinabalu is expensive trek because it can only be trekked with a recognized local travel agency supported by a mandatory guide and optional porter. The summit push is mildly difficult because of the rope-support ascent early morning and has to descend at around 0600H because of fixed itinerary. On the other hand, MT. FUJI (3,776masl) is the highest mountain in Japan. Trekking Mt. Fuji is not that expensive because it can be done independently (no guide and porter support) and no registration or park fees, only confirmed accommodation is required.
Mt. Kinabalu solo hike (May 2013) |
Mt. Kinabalu solo hike (May 2013) |
Mt. Kinabalu solo hike (May 2013) |
Mt. Kinabalu solo hike (May 2013) |
Mt. Kinabalu solo hike (May 2013) |
MT. KINABALU | MOUNTAIN NAME | MT. FUJI |
4,095masl (LowPeak) | SUMMIT ELEVATION | 3,776masl |
Sabah, Malaysia | LOCATION | Yamanashi / Shizuoka, Japan |
Highest peak in Malaysia | FEATURE | Highest peak in Japan |
one of Japan's 3 holy mountains | ||
February to May | BEST MONTHS TO HIKE | July to September |
October to January | WORST MONTHS TO HIKE | October to February |
2 days | TREKKING DURATION | 2 days |
Timpohon (long but easy) | TRAILS | Yoshida (popular and easy) |
Mesilau (short but hard) | Subashiri (meet Yoshida on 8th stn) | |
Gotemba (long at 5th stn) | ||
Fujinomiya (closest 5th stn to summit) | ||
rainforest, rocky | TRAIL TYPE | rainforest, rocky, alpine |
continuously ascent then descent | continuously ascent then descent | |
sheltered little space | TRAIL STOP-OVERS | little shelter, little space to stay |
can purchase refreshments | can purchase refreshments | |
km marker for every 500m | TRAIL MARKERS | very well-signed post |
guide required | HIKE JOURNEY | can be done independently |
$220 | ESTIMATED MINIMUM BUDGET | $120 |
advance booking required for entire trek (guide/accommodation included) | PREPARATION | advance booking required only for accommodation |
included in advance booking | REGISTRATION | free of charge |
MAY 25 TO 26, 2013 | DATE I VISITED | AUGUST 09 TO 10, 2014 |
with guide only, no porter | HIKE JOURNEY | solo (no guide/porter) |
Timpohon | CHOSEN TRAIL | Yoshida |
fixed | CHOSEN TRAIL REMARKS | self-customized |
2 days | TREK DURATION | 2 days |
Easy to Moderate | TREK DIFFICULTY | Easy to Moderate |
17km | TREK RETURN DISTANCE | 13km |
Laban Rata Dormitory (3,273masl) | ACCOMMODATION | Seikanso Lodge (2,390masl) |
in the rainforest trail only | RAINING | entire trek (strong typhoon) |
Kota Kinabalu | TRIP START | Nagoya |
Kota Kinabalu | TRIP END | Tokyo |
Day One |
ITINERARY
|
Day One |
0830H Kinabalu Park (registration) | 1325H Fuji 5th Station ( registration) | |
0900H ETD Kinabalu Park | 1400H ETD Fuji 5th Station | |
1250H lunch | 1435H Seikanso Lodge (6th Station) | |
1600H ETA Laban Rata dormitory | 1600H dinner & sleep | |
2000H sleep | 2300H ETD Seikanso Lodge | |
Day Two | Day Two | |
0130H wake-up | 0020H ETA 7th Station | |
0230H ETD Laban Rata Dormitory | 0230H ETA 8th Station | |
0645H Mt. Kinabalu Summit | 0500H strong typhoon (3,300masl) | |
0700H Mt. Kinabalu Summit | 0615H ETA 7th Station | |
0930H ETA Laban Rata dormitory | 0715H ETA Seikanso Lodge (6th Stn) | |
1030H ETD Laban Rata Dormitory | 0800H ETD 6th Station | |
1530H ETA Kinabalu Park | 0930H ETA Fuji 5th Station | |
MODERATE | SUMMIT PUSH | MODERATE |
YES, despite aching legs | SUMMITED | NO, due to strong typhoon |
4,095masl | HIGHEST ELEVATION REACHED | 3,300masl |
$538 | BUDGET ON ENTIRE TRIP | $1,015 |
Hi, may i know what is spent on during mount fuji that it amounted to 1K? Thanks
ReplyDeleteActually the $1,1,015 budget is for my entire 5-days budget in Japan (flights, acccom, transpo, etc). For Mt. Fuji mainly, around $250 all-in. But of course, you can't just go there without external expenses.
DeleteHi which one is more technically challenging? Fuji or Kinabalu?
ReplyDeleteIn my honest opinion, Mt. Kinabalu is more technically challenging because (1) Mt. Kinabalu is around 300m higher than Mt. Fuji (2) on the early morning start of the trail, Mt. Kinabalu requires rope to not so vertically ascend (3) Mt. Kinabalu requires 2D/1N to trek for an ordinary hiker
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