[Watch] Here’s Why Mount Kinabalu Is Closed When There’s Bad, Rainy Weather
The areas near the summit of Mount Kinabalu can turn into a giant waterfall in bad weather and make it dangerous to climb.
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Due to rainy weather, the summit climb route from Laban Rata to Low’s Peak Summit was closed on 17 and 18 October.
However, visitors were still allowed to climb from the Timpohon Gate to Laban Rata.
According to the Mount Kinabalu official website, the summit closure decision was determined by the authority of Sabah Parks Rangers for the safety of all climbers.
Kenapa orang tanya kalau hujan tak boleh naik Gunung Kinabalu?
— Kei B. 🇲🇾 / #hidupantiinjury (@KeiBasar) October 18, 2022
Kalau hujan, air deras macam ni.
Sumber: IG MountKinabalu pic.twitter.com/leFGaktYJu
This is because when it rains heavily, the areas close to the summit will face gushing water akin to a huge waterfall.
The gush of water will make it dangerous and difficult for climbers to climb to the peak.
Climbers who were unexpectedly caught in the ‘waterfall’ during their climb have also urged others to heed the closure decision.
They shared videos showing the strength of the water current and how precarious it could be while climbing in moving water.
One of the climbers who climbed on 14 October mentioned that the weather can quickly change once you’re up there.
@rogonnabalu_25 #gunung #kinabalu #kundasangsabah #erasabah #erafmsabah #pragalidng #laban #Hello2022 #FlexYourFreestyle #sabahantiktokers #sabah #ranau #Fyp ♬ bunyi asal – gansau gansau
Masa 14.10.2022 tu sy ada kat sana. Nak turun tu pun cuak jugak sebab merata2 air terjun dari atas gunung. Syukur Tuhan jaga kami semua.🙏 pic.twitter.com/vpVOuf4qBE
— 乇乙乙卂ㄒ 卂ㄥ-千尺乇ᗪㄖ (@chicanoz) October 19, 2022
Although the closure lasted until 18 October, it’s still advisable not to climb up the peak of Mount Kinabalu during chances of inclement weather since the monsoon season is near.
Not heeding the closure warning might see a repeat of what happened to 44 hikers and three guides who decided to go hiking at Telaga Tujuh Waterfall in Langkawi and got trapped during the monsoon season.
For more information and updates, please check the official website of Mount Kinabalu, its official Facebook and Instagram.
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