You too can climb Mount Kinabalu, with a strong mind, and even stronger legs

The columnist enjoying a good view of the peak, the same one that appears on our RM100 banknote. — Photos: LEESAN

Prior to the pandemic, an average of 60,000 people climbed the 29th highest mountain in South-East Asia – the 4,095m high Mount Kinabalu in Sabah – every year. However, after Covid-19 happened, only a maximum of 163 people are allowed to climb the mountain by the Kinabalu Park authorities each day, during climbing season.

Conquering Mount Kinabalu is not an impossible or even inaccessible dream. It is said that the oldest climber who has made it to the summit is a 96-year-old Japanese woman (according to a report in 2006), followed by a 90-year-old Sabahan man named Buatin Blandong, who made his climb last year. This shows that as long as you have the courage and determination (plus strong legs, of course!), and do not suffer from any major cardiorespiratory problems, you too can make it to the top.