Quick help needed :)

I have booked the MT kinabalu 2 day ascent tomorrow. We were told that the only options were a 46r or 69r dorm room and that only the 69r rooms were available halfway up the mountain. After we left we looked in our guide book to see that there used to be dorm huts for 17r, do they still exist? We were told nothing of these and haven't paid for the 69r rooms yet, so could still cancel.

Also, the company are asking for 40r transport fee, does anyone know the current price from KK to the park entry and what time the bus/minivan would leave and arrive? Any help will be greatly appreciated :)

There's no way you can get a dorm hut for RM17. The guide book writer must have downed a few rounds of beer when he wrote that. Believe me, a small plate of instant noodle cost RM12.00 (!) at Laban Rata's cafeteria, the half way house. If there's a RM17 hut, I think you can expect a plate as shelter. Count yourself lucky if you can get a bed this time of the year.

A few years back, I paid RM30 to hop on a van to Timpohon trail gate, return trip inclusive. I guess the company makes RM10 or inflation has something to do with it. Entrance fee was RM3 but I forgot about the fee for climbing permit. RM70-100 for guides and porters.

On my second climb, I used the Mesilau trail, slighty longer. It was much better for nature appreciation but tougher.

I took a package from KK to Mt Kinabalu last month.Had to pay thru my nose as I didnt have booking in Laban rata.You'll not be allowed to proceed if dont have a booking.Like goemann said,there is no RM17 available.The cheapest is Rm46.So dont cancel what you have on hand.The bookings is monopolised by Sutera.

The park entry fee is about RM100,guide fee is RM70.Get a ride to &from Timpohon gate(its quite a distance from the park hq.)
It's a 5-6hr climb to laban rata.Walking sticks(RM3,available at park hq) will be of great help for climbing(& coming down) upto Laban rata.

At laban rata you'll probably sleep for 4-5hrs before you're off at 2am for the summit(to arrive by 6am for the sunrise).
Take what is absolutely needed.Some cup of noodles,chocolates,nuts.Water is available at every pondok(mountain fresh-I had no problem drinking it)fill up as you go up.It could be hot & humid intially.Prepare for an unexpected thunder shower.Get yourself a water proof poncho(raincoat).You could hire a jacket in Laban rata for RM10 for the climb to the summit.Its normally windy & freezing cold.
A head worn torch (RM35 for Energiser) will be of great help,so your hands are relatively free(do not carry the walking stick,its of no use for this section).
Pain killer,paracetamol nausea could be of help.
Hope this info is of help.

Thats really fantastic and much appreciated. Ive made a note of everything and am sure it will be a great help, hopefully i'll be back to tell you of a successful adventure. Thanks a lot :)

Phil

contact Sutera Sanctuary. they now have transport to the park from KK on condition you book accomodation direct from them (if i'm not mistaken or they have changed their policy).

Sutera charges for the transport...at inflated rates (who could have guessed).

Sutera has jacked up the prices for the unheated cabins near Laban Rata to RM$49. It's been that way for a couple of years. Either the writer of the guidebook is way out of date, or its an old edition OR he is talking about the guesthouses near the Park Entrance outside the park gates. Several of these have cheaper dorms than the ones in the Park near the HQ.

But that information, while ueful if you are staying at the park the night before or after your climb, is irrelevant for the booked accomodation that you MUST MAKE for the climb to the summit. Keep you booking at Laban Rata unless you can go to tem and substitute the cheaper cabins directly. You don't want to lose the booking and cancel your climb. Another alternative is simply to trade with someone in the cabins who want the heated dorm at Laban Rata...taking RM$20 from them.

Got back from a memorable climb 2 days ago and it still hurts! As it turned out we got a local bus to the park for 15r rather than paying 40r with Sutera. We stayed in the heated cabin and im really pleased we had this one, more so because the people outdoors in the cheaper ones were kept awake all night by inconsiderate people charging around making a noise. Had an amazing sunrise and its the best summit views ive had anywhere in the World - just spectacular - i'll download my pics and blog later.

After we went to Poring, which was a thorough let down. Dirty bathing areas and no running water in any of the accomodations - oh also scorpios (2) in our dorm at Poring Lodge - very disappointing.

Thanks for all the advice and help

Phil