| Mount Kinabalu |
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|Name=Mount Kinabalu|Photo=MtKinabalu_view_from_kundasan.jpg| Caption=Mt. Kinabalu| Elevation=4,095.2 m (13,435 ft)| Location= Sabah , Borneo | Range= Crocker Range |Prominence=4,095 m Ranked 20th |Coordinates= |First ascent= 1858 by H. Low and S. St. John | Easiest route= Hike }} Mount Kinabalu ( on the Malaysia n island of Borneo . The main peak of the mountain can be climbed by a person with a good physical condition, and requires no Mountaineering equipment. Other peaks along the massif, however, require rock climbing skills. The mountain features a large variety of flora, including wild Pitcher Plant s and Orchid s. Climbing route Climbers must be accompanied by guides at all times. The climb starts at the Kinabalu park headquarters at 1500 m (4900 ft). Accommodation is available inside the park or outside near the headquarters. From there, climbers proceed to the Timpohon gate at 1800 m (5900 ft), either by minibus or by walking, and then walk to the Laban Rata hut at 3300 m (10,800 ft). Most people accomplish this part of the climb in 3 to 6 hours. Since there are no roads, the supplies for the Laban Rata hut are carried by porters, mostly old women, who bring up to 30 kilograms of supplies on their backs. Hot food and beverages, hot showers and heated rooms are available at the hut. The last 800 m (2600 ft), from the Laban Rata hut at 3300 m to the summit at 4100 m, takes between 2 and 4 hours. The last part of the climb is on naked granite rock. Given the high altitude, some people may suffer from Altitude Sickness and should return immediately to the bottom of the mountain, as breathing and any further movement becomes increasingly difficult. A typical descent from the summit is quick but is often equally painful as the ascent: knee joints, ankle joints and toes tend to suffer as the climbers descend 3000 m (9850 ft) in five hours. Tales Some believe the name Kina-balu means "Chinese widow", from "China" and the Malay word "Balu", meaning "widow". An alternative derivation is from the Kadazan dusun phrase "Aki Nabalu" meeting "the revered place of the dead". Biology The mountain is famous for supporting a rich ecosystem of many endemic and very rare species of flora and fauna. The most well known are the Pitcher Plants and Orchids , especially '' Nepenthes Rajah ''. Image:MtKinabalu.jpg|View from Mt. Kinabalu Image:Mount Kinabalu Clouds 1.jpg|Looking out to the horizon, en route to the hut as Dusk approaches. Cloud formations are detailed and highly visible at this stage of the climb. Image:Mount_kinabalu_lookingdown.jpg|Looking down from the plateau of Mt. Kinabalu Image:Mount_kinabalu_startingdown.jpg|Coming down from the peak of Mt. Kinabalu External links
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