Kinabulu National Park is a World Heritage site and contains the highest mountain between the Himalayasa and Papua New Guinea. At the center sits Mt. Kinabulu (4095 m) which towers over the park. Instead of a sharp distinct peak, the top has a number of peaks and bulges similar to beaten meringue. Many visitors come to the park for the grueling 2 day hike up to the top for a glorious or foggy sunrise. Fog is the more likely outcome as most days the mountain top was covered in fog. One tourist was even shocked to see the mountain after 2 days of staying nearby! We decided to explore the trails of the park on our own instead of paying the permit, guide, and mountain hostel fees just to hike up to the top in the dark.
Most of the trails were part of a forest that gets a large amount of moisture from the fog clous that constantly rolls through. We didn't see too many animals, although we spotted a woodpecker in action. We did see many colorful butterflies which Kinabulu is known for.
The park also has a large amount of endemic species. In particular are 3 different species of carnivorous pitcher plants. Since we didn't shoot for the summit, we missed out on seeing the other flora that occupy the higher alpine ecosystems.
Overall, the park was great, with good trail markers and facilities. Prices to stay in hostels have been enormously inflated as they prepare themselves for a more international crowd, however lodging just 800 m from the entrance is reasonable. The park also contains a small botanical garden that gathered the carious flowering and more interesting plants, although, it must not have been in season when we went to see it.
Wow those photos are amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd your quiz is too hard :[