While climbing Mount Kinabalu may only be a two-day endeavor, there are still plenty of items you’ll need on the hike, including several non-negotiable essentials. As I mentioned in my earlier post (which provides details on booking a climb, what to expect, and my overall experience), I was not necessarily physically prepared for the arduous challenge ahead, but I was materially prepared and packed for success.
Having some idea of the terrain and climate is certainly helpful in preparing for Kinabalu, and I’d watched YouTube videos and read a lot of articles/posts to give me an idea of how to best pack. Adequate preparation can make for a much more enjoyable (and safe) trek, and involves bringing clothes appropriate for hot and colder temperatures, insect/mosquito repellent (a must-have), a headlamp, and snacks, among other important items.
To begin with, I wanted to get a new backpack for this trip which would have more compartments and one that wasn’t simply a top-loader. My first pack which I’d used for my nearly two-month solo Europe trip had been okay, but the top-loading became frustrating over time and I needed something a bit more versatile. Upon searching with one of my best friends at Sierra Trading Post, I came across this gem and was quite pleased with the ample space, dual-access points, and large pocket on the bottom (which I like to use for flip-flops and dirty clothes to keep them separate from everything else!).
This Vaude Asymmetric 48 + 8 liter pack was probably the best purchase I made, and it worked marvelously while traveling up and down the mountain, through Bali and Australia, and on subsequent trips. Other major selling points included its well-padded hip belt with pocket and adjustable straps and back. This allowed for properly fitting the pack to my frame/torso for maximum comfort, and I didn’t have any issues with it on the trail.
As a side note, I did have a store associate help me with fitting the pack as I still did not really know the best adjustments to make, and most gear/outdoor shops should be able to assist with this. As you can also see, the straps on the pack are quite long and it was suggested by several people that I shorten them. As with many things in life, while it was certainly a good idea, time flew by and I didn’t get to it.
As the photo above shows, I went into this prepared. Did I maybe over-pack? A bit. Did I have everything I needed? Absolutely. While there are quite a few items pictured here and below, some of the more important include the insect repellent, good socks, smaller day-pack (which you’ll need for the morning of the final ascent), water purification tablets and/or filter, water container or bottled water (an absolute must!), headlamp, heavier but easy-to-roll jacket, and warm clothing/layers (for the colder temperatures at higher altitude).
List of items pictured above (Clockwise from top left)
- Protein energy bars
- Energy gel
- Lens-cleaning wipes
- Small first aid kit
- Hand sanitizer
- Anti-diarrhea medication
- Amino acid/electrolyte supplement powder
- Poncho
- Waterproof bags in several sizes
- Insect repellent
- (I can’t determine what this next item is, but maybe folded pants? It’s been a while since I took this photo!)
- Water purification tablets
- Small water filter
- Different types of cleansing wipes
- Shaving razors
- Toothbrushes
- Nasal spray for allergies (Flonase)
- Vitamins
- Lip balm
More items (Pictured above, clockwise left-to-right)
- Foldable day-pack
- Socks
- More insect repellent
- Multifunctional headwear/scarf piece (I believe this one was made of a cooling, UV protection fabric)
- Waterproof backpack protector
- Headlamp (Do not forget this item. It may help to just purchase it with your pack and immediately stick it in a pocket.) Whatever type you get, be sure it includes batteries.
- More socks (As a side note, I bought several varieties including some made of antimicrobial material.)
Other Clothing Items (Shown above)
- Warm, but light-weight, rain-proof jacket (above left)
- Button-up, long-sleeve, insect-repelling shirt (above right, made with permethrin-treated material, and sun-protection I think)
Other Items Not Shown
- Leggings
- Good sneakers
- Performance tank top
- T-Shirt
- Additional light-weight, high-performance jacket
- A cool hat (also made of permethrin-treated material)
- Hip pack (yes, a “fanny pack.” It was helpful though!)
- Scarf
- Various toiletries and small zippered bag for these
- Good sunscreen
- Phone charging cord and portable charger
- Universal charger
- Scarf
- Lots of snacks
- A couple packs of Truvia (I try to take this just about everywhere I travel for my coffee!)
- Mucinex
- Undergarments
- Diamox (which I never even used, and I’ll share more on that below)
Looking back, I can say that some items could have definitely been left behind, but in packing for safety and comfort I did have a successful climb. It’s important to share though that my pack did feel quite heavy after a while, and several people on the trail seemed a bit surprised by how much I was carrying.
Regarding certain items such as shoes and medication for altitude sickness (which is why I got a prescription for Diamox prior to my trip), you’ll likely come across conflicting information on what’s needed. I wasn’t planning on taking the medication unless absolutely necessary, and ultimately I didn’t even need it and was fine. I was at a bit of an advantage at the time though as I was well-acclimated to living at 7,220 ft already. This will certainly vary for people though, and at the end of the day, it’s a personal decision and one which you should discuss with your healthcare provider.
My choice of footwear also didn’t align with some of what I’d read, as I ultimately opted to wear a good pair of running shoes instead of hiking shoes or boots. These worked great for me, but again, others may have a different experience and/or require a more supportive shoe. Please know that the terrain is rocky and very steep in some places, and may also be slippery from rain/moisture in the air.
Gloves, especially waterproof, are highly recommended. Somehow I wasn’t able to find these and ended up purchasing a pair upon arrival. Gloves with a good grip are ideal, mainly for being able to hold onto the rope that’s available throughout a significant portion of the climb (and for good reason). Walking poles are another optional item, and while I decided not to purchase any, the one my guide ended up letting me use part of the way back down the mountain was sure helpful.
This was a big (and thrilling) learning experience for me, and I feel like I did pretty well for my first go-around. The biggest mistakes I made were probably packing too much and running out of storage for media on my phone (don’t make this same mistake, it’s thoroughly irritating). Hopefully you find this post helpful, and be sure to check out some of the other resources on preparing for Mount Kinabalu!
What’s the most challenging adventure you’ve had to plan and pack for? Feel free to share this and other thoughts below!
In case you’re interested, below are some links to additional resources on this topic –
MountKinabalu.com https://www.mountkinabalu.com/tips/things-to-bring