Self-employed general medical practitioner who love his wife and kids in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Dedicated his spare time by serving the people with precious information about climbing the majestic mountain of Borneo, Mount Kinabalu. Contact me @ drizad(at)gmail.comWorld’s highest “via ferrata” now on Mount Kinabalu!
While poking through the net, surfing around technorati, I found a very interesting blog post by kenjj about the newest adventure on Mount Kinabalu - via ferrata. So, what is via ferrata?
A via ferrata (Italian for “iron road”. Plural vie ferrate. In German, klettersteig) is a mountain route which is equipped with fixed cables, stemples, ladders, and bridges. The use of these allows otherwise isolated routes to be joined to create longer routes which are accessible to people with a wide range of climbing abilities. Walkers and climbers can follow via ferratas without needing to use their own ropes and belays, and without the risks associated with unprotected scrambling and climbing. - Wikipedia
I found out that there is a new company which provides the adventure activities - Mountain Torq - that was just started on September 2007 (only running for about three months). The interesting thing about them is that, they have given Mount Kinabalu climbers other options of activities and accommodations, apart from the usual climb up and down Low’s Peak.
Lucky for me, while checking up their new website on this new thing on Mount Kinabalu, I found out that their main office in Kota Kinabalu is just across the street of my clinic. I went there last Monday during lunch time, and fortunately, I-Gek, their sales & marketing director was there.
We just have an informal conversation on our passion about Mount Kinabalu, and how hard it is to get a slot to climb nowadays. Apparently, they are very busy, as they are going to have their launching ceremony this Saturday, 15th December 2007 at Kinabalu Park.
During that short period of time, I managed to get more information pertaining the climb, the activities and the accommodation that they provide. In summary, these are the things that we ought to know at the moment:
- They have a newly build hut/lodges on Laban Rata - Pendant Hut, which is non-heated, bunk-beds that could accommodate 30 climbers. This is a good options for climbers who could not get through to SSL for bed. However, they have set their own rule; if you are planning to stay in their hut - you have to, at least, pick one of their activities on their via ferrata, apart from the usual Low’s Peak trip.
Pendant Hut, Laban Rata - They are the only sole provider for via ferrata, equipments and staffs, and they are not related to SSL.
- You have three options of via ferrata that you could choose - Walk the Torq, The Low’s Peak Circuit and The Preamble. More coming soon!
- As they ONLY provide the activities, you have to book for accommodation in Pendant Hut from their designated travel & tour company. This also means that you still can do their activities although you stay in one of SSL’s huts in Laban Rata.
- Having said the above, they welcome ‘Walk-ins’ at either Laban Rata / or at Pendant hut. It will be on a first come first serve basis and weather permitting.
- They are the world’s highest and Asia’s first via ferrata located at 3,800m, offers a range of routes designed to match everyone’s ability and endurance.
- They did not disclose the pricing structure. You need to contact them to ask for quotations. *Please mention my name/website/blog when you contact them. You may get a special treatment for mentioning it. And they will know how powerful blogging-advertising works!
This new activities has made Mount Kinabalu more interesting than just up-down climb. And I am now working on how to work together with them to promote their activities in my website and blog. Stay tune for more info.
For those who are going to be at the foot of the mountain (Kinabalu Park) this Saturday, 15th December 2007, just drop by their launching ceremony. I won’t be able to be there. Send my regards to them if you happen to crash in their party.
Need I say more? Just check out their photos which I have extracted from their website (I got permission on this. Thanks, I-Gek!). Cheers!
For Mountain Torq staff (if you are reading this): May I get a discount for my via ferrata adventure with this blog post? 
. I WILL write another post on this new adventure way longer and interesting than this!
Related Posts:
- Mount Kinabalu via ferrata adventure FAQ
- Mount Kinabalu via ferrata booking page updates
- World’s highest “via ferrata” - Newsfeed from New Sabah Times
- Mountaintorq via ferrata trip preparation notes
- The Unsung Heroes of Kinabalu : Porters & Guides
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December 13th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Drizad,
Thanks for sharing. Definately a new challence.
December 13th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
how about the fee??
December 13th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
It’s by request. They did not reveal the fee on their website for “security” purposes. You need to drop them an email for more information on the fee.
December 14th, 2007 at 8:09 am
That’s really interesting.
December 14th, 2007 at 10:26 am
leong, u can find their leaflet (with pricing) in Sabah Tourism office (old post office). There are a few packages. The 2D1N climb to Low’s Peak is RM270 something, if i am correct…
December 15th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Hi Murphy,
I checked with them, and the leaflet in Sabah Tourism is their 2007 promotional price! Which means that you only have less than 15 more days to do it! Also that price is only for the activity.
I tried it out and it is awesome!!! To tell the truth, compared to what I had to pay for a via ferrata in New Zealand, this is really value for money since it is the world’s highest , their high level of customer service and how they looked after me!
Savera
December 18th, 2007 at 11:38 am
Hi Jusdy, Murphy,
How come Mountain Torq quoted me at higher price?
My climbing date will be on April 2008.
The reply was :-
——Because you already booked your accommodations, this is our price for ACTIVITY only.
Low’s Peak Circuit: RM 340.00 per Person.
Anybody else got the cheaper price ?
Rgds,
December 18th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
Wow! Another new hut!! …… by another operator?? Really worried about keeping the mountain clean.
December 21st, 2007 at 10:17 am
Hey!! They are the ONLY operator there that is taking their rubbish down the mountain. They themselves are worried about keeping the mountain clean!!! They told me that themselves
Savera
December 21st, 2007 at 11:06 am
Hi Savera,
Thank you for your comments. Hopefully they will always be responsible for the cleanliness of the mountain.
I am not that worried about rubbish that is produced in the lodges, but the rubbish that is thrown by litter bugs on the 8.5km trail…
January 16th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
hi there..!
thank you for this journal.
i added your website to my blog.
hope you don’t mind..
i myself is hoping to do go up via ferrata one day..
p/s: i heard the cost is going up this year 2008,is it true?
January 16th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Sure do…
Yes, the price for 2008 has gone really high. Thanks to SSL!
May 7th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Anyone knows the owner of SSL? I find it unacceptable that they package their accomodation and food and charge a bomb with it. Surely locals deserve a cheaper price?
People nowadays are getting more greedy.
May 8th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Sutera Harbour is the owner of SSL.
May 8th, 2008 at 11:12 am
So who owns Sutera Harbour? Been searching through out the whole wide web….
Can someone enlightened me?
And is this your blog drizad? Where is your main page? Would like to blogroll you…
Take care!
May 8th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Hi KakiAyam,
http://www.mount-kinabalu-borneo.com/blog is my main blog page.
http://www.mount-kinabalu-borneo.com is the website.
Just drop me a note when you have blogrolled me. I would be glad to exchange with you!
May 14th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Hi Drizad,
Just blogrolled you at -
http://chicken-feet-60.blogspot.com/
Take care!
May 15th, 2008 at 8:00 am
@KakiAyam:
I added yours too!
May 16th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Hi Drizad,
I have done the Via Ferrata, Low’s Peak Circuit. simply fantastic.
Click the link below to browse my Via Ferrata photos –
http://leongwk.multiply.com/photos/album/300/Mt_Kinabalu_-_Via_Ferrata_Lows_Peak_Circuit
.
.
May 17th, 2008 at 8:35 am
@Leong:
Thanks for the link and updates, Leong!
I really appreciate it!
June 5th, 2008 at 12:10 am
Hai guys,
I’m going next week. so excited. just want to know whether it’s really cold in the summit.
June 5th, 2008 at 7:35 am
@ Siti:
Good luck!
And don’t forget to drop us some feedback when you get back!