Mountain Kinabalu is the highest
mountain (4,093 metres) in South East Asia. The
origins of the name Kinabalu is also somewhat shrouded in mystery and myth. Some believe Kina-balu
means Chinese widow. Kina being a corruption of China and Balu a
widespread native dialectical term for widow.
A story tells of a Chinese Prince seeking a huge pink pearl that
exists at the very top of the mountain and guarded by a ferocious dragon. After a terrific
battle he slayed the dragon and took the pearl, whereon he married a local Kadazan woman.
Homesick himself he deserted his wife to return to China and the heartbroken wife wandered
to the mountain and was turned to stone. But perhaps the most plausible explanation is
that the name is derived from Aki Nabalu - meaning 'The revered place of dead',
in local Dusunic languages.
Located conveniently about 90 km away from Kota Kinabalu along a good
road, Mount Kinabalu, at 4,093 metres, is the highest mountain
in Southeast Asia. The road journey which takes between 1 to 2 hours climbs up to heights
of 1,500 metres on the southern boundary. There is a bus service which runs past the Park
Headquarter twice a day from Kota Kinabalu on the way to Ranau.
Mount Kinabalu is a young mountain that is still growing at the
rate of 5 mm a year. The mountain itself is a hard granite massif that forced its way
through the surrounding sandstone rocks of the Crocker range less than one million years
ago and there is still evidence of the ice-age which melted less than 10,000 years ago.
Climbers after passing by the last shelter of Sayat-Sayat will be able to walk along what
is part of a glacier many years ago and they will be able to see evidence of scratches and
striations in the rocks and flaking and moulding in the vast granite slabs.
Each year thousands of visitors made the climb along the scenic Kinabalu
Mountain Trail. The trip requires no special abilities but is very tiring. Anyone
in good health and vigor can reach the summit. Two days
is the minimum for a climb from Park (i.e., Kinabalu Park) Headquarters and Mt. Kinabalu
has much to offer to those who stay longer.