Taman Negara Kinabalu What to Pack

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: These are two kinds of beanies we used. Mine was the one with flaps (wool). My husband prefered the round straighforward beanie that he got for only NZ$2.99 (acrylic) from the Warehouse - no fuss, no flaps. You can get these quite easily at the $2 shops if you are after acrylic material.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Whilst we are on the topic of keeping warm and snug, the human head loses a lot of heat very quickly. I kept warm using a beanie.

I looked around several stores and found one that also protected the ears. Short of wearing a balaclava which I find too stifling, I found that this worked perfectly for me. It was woollen with a light fleece lining and had two 'flaps' on the side. if it got too windy, I could tie the strings around me and pull up my neck warmer to protect half of my face and neck as well. So these two items were useful for the night and the second day up the mountain. (the picture also shows the neck warmer and the wool/leather gloves used).

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Instead of a scarf or muffler, we found these very useful. They are neck warmers, and trap teh heat very well. Costs about A$8-12 from the camping or army stores. The good thing is that they won't flap and be distracting in the wind as mufflers do. They just slip over your head and rest at your neck. And they are not stiffling like turtle necks could be. They are light and easy to pack.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Try to keep warm without looking like a stuffed penguin. A variety of warm wear / thermals are available in the market place. I used a combination of Iceberg (NZ) merino thermal tops which look like a T-shirt and some lightweight Everwarm (NZ) long johns which are polypropylene material. With the polypropylene thermals, moisture is removed from the body whilst a layer of warmth is trapped next to the skin. With the polypropylene material, the perspiration can pass through to the next layer, so I can be kept dry and warm. The Iceberg Tee has a similar concept – breathable, light and allows moisture to pass through to keep you dry and warm and comfy.

Cotton, on the other had, is great with the tropical humidity and absorbs perspiration very well, but it also retains it and so, the body can get quite cold at higher levels, and cotton is not as good at trapping heat.
www.everwarm.co.nz
www.iceberg.co.nz

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: I used Deep Heat Muscle Rub in a small tube. Some others were applying Yoko yoko on their way up. Really, if you warmed up before hand and do a few very good stretches (at least 15-20 seconds per stretch type and do not jerk your muscles as you stretch), it helps a lot more than the creams. If you do get swollen ankles, joints and muscles, there are OTC medications that you want to check out before hand.

For antiseptic creams, I took along Burnol, and for headaches (didn't use this at all), I got a very small thumbsized bottle of minyak cap kapak. I packed these all in a little zip lock bag so that it is easy to find without tipping the whole bag over for that tiny something.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: First aid kit requirements :
Bandaids, Gauze, cotton/cotton buds, bandages & antiseptic cream for cuts and blisters
2-4 Panadols or aspirins for mild headaches
Water purifiers if you do not trust the fresh spring water (untreated) provided at each rest stop
2-4 Charcoal tablets to absorb toxins and substances for if you took something that didn't agree with your tummy
2 Cold and/or hayfever tablets for those sniffles - you could get them with the drastic change in climatic conditions or when you get a little weak after the climb
Headache oil
Deep heat muscle cream (if you stretch before and especially after, you don't need this as much)
Rehydration salts or isotonic salts
2 serves of Vitamins

Miscellaneous: Pack your first aid kit in portions, those that are taken orally, those that are applied (not edible), and pack them in small mini zip lock sections, eg those you will definitely or most likely use (eg vitamins, panadol). I zip-locked them all into one medium bag after that. So it's easy to dish out whatever you need without digging up the whole kit and messing up the rest, and it is easy to put back. I labelled my items, so that others could get to it without eating the wrong medication too. My most popular items 'consumed' were panadols, aspirins, cold tablet and some deep heat (used after day 2). Of, if you want altitude sickness tablets, you need a doctor's prescription first - highly recommended (see my tips on altitude sickness). You don't need to pack too much, if you get really sick, you are down to KK the next day anyway, and can get complete medical aid then.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: If you do forget to bring something like your parka or gloves, you can always rent them at Laban Rata.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: If you forget ant medical or toiletry supplies, you can buy them at Timpohon Gate at the bottom, or at Laban Rata, although the prices escalate as the altitude gets higher!

Photo Equipment: Bring your charger and extra batteries if you intend to snap lots of photos with the flash. It can get quite shady in daytime due to the forest covering and the mist, so your flash may be handy.

Miscellaneous: I have included individual packing tips on why each item is necessary or a luxury. Use your discretion on what you need, travel light, or get a porter to help you with your load. Pack the day's essentials into a day bag, and leave the rest with the porter. At RM6.60 a kg (return journey), it is well worth it.

Miscellaneous: You will need a torch light during the 2nd day trip to the summit. Make sure that the battery can last for 3 hours. If you can get a head lamp, it is even better because you can free your both hand to hold the rope.

The normal AA battery can last for 1.5 hours. Head lamp with LED using AAA can last for long hours.