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| Climbing Package | What is a via ferrata (The Torq Tour)? |

3 Days 2 nights Mount Kinabalu Via Ferrata Climbing Package ~ Valid until 31st March 2012

(Rates based on per person per package)

Package Inclusions:

* 2 nights at Pendant Hut * 1 early morning Continental breakfast/supper @ Pendant Hut * 2 simple American breakfasts @ Pendant Hut * 1 pack lunch for ascend up the mountain * 1 set lunch @ Laban Rata canteen * 2 buffet dinners @ Laban Rata canteen * Via Ferrata certificate for successful climbers only * Round trip transportation between KK town and Park HQ * All Sabah Parks’ tariffs, permits, transport and Mt guide services

 Package Excludes:

* Airfare * Porter Fees * Camera/Video Fees * Meals not stated * Tipping * Extra drinks and meals * Travel Insurance and Items not stated above.

**Please Note that there will be a non-refundable handling charge on payment made. Conditions apply.

Suggested thing to bring: -

Suitable walking shoes / warm clothing / wind breaker / long sleeves shirts / change of clothes / drinking water / high energy food (chocolates, nuts, raisins, glucose) / headache tablets / sun block / lip gloss / deep heat lotion / plasters / insect repellent / mosquito oil / binoculars / camera / water proof bag for camera / torchlight / extra socks / towel / gloves / hat mask / tissue paper / toilet roll.

Special Notes: -

It is recommended that all climbers should have themselves medically checked before attempting any mountain climb. If you have a history of suffering from the following ailments, it is highly recommend that you should refrain from climbing: Hypertension, Diabetes, Palpitation, Arthritis, Heart disease, severe anemia, Peptic ulcers, Epileptic fits, Obesity (overweight), Chronic asthma, Muscular cramps, Hepatitis (jaundice); or any other disease which may hamper the climber.

Useful Tip: If you can, best to bring along your toiletries, a fresh change of clothing and a towel for a nice heated shower at Laban Rata Resthouse itself ~ since dinner will be at the resthouse anyway, a hot shower will be a welcome (be informed that pendant hut does not have hot showers). There is a shower room downstairs, just behind the TV room. Or otherwise, go to the 1st floor where there is a Ladies and Gents separate shower cubicles and toilets.

Trip Itinerary

What is a via ferrata?
A via ferrata (or ‘iron road’ in Italian, plural via ferrate) is a mountain path consisting of a series of rungs, rails and cables embracing the rock face. It allows access to scenic sections of the mountains that are typically available only to rock climbers and mountaineers. The excitement, scenic beauty and personal conquest you'll experience on a via ferrata is guaranteed to give you an invigorating nostalgic experience for years to come.

There are more than 300 via ferrata routes around the world predominantly in Italy, Germany, France, Austria, Slovenia, Switzerland and Spain, and a few places in the United States and Canada. The world's highest via ferrata, Mountain Torq - which also happens to be Asia's first - can now be found on Mt Kinabalu in the east Malaysian state of Sabah.

History
The first via ferrate were built in the Dolomite mountain region of northern Italy during the First World War, to aid the movement of military troops. In 1917, the Italians (as part of the alliance formed by Britain, France and Russia) were fighting a ferocious war with the Austrians in the Dolomites. Amidst harsh winter conditions and an escalating casualty toll, both sides tried to gain control of the peaks to site observation posts and field guns. To help troops move about at high altitude, permanent lines were fixed to rock faces and ladders were installed so that soldiers could ascent steep faces. These were the first via ferrate.

In 1936, the first via ferrata created for tourists was built by the Italian Alpine Club (a club that traditionally promotes mountaineering). Today the Dolomites probably still have the greatest number of via ferrate. The wartime networks of via ferrate have been restored and many new routes added. Steel cables have replaced the ropes and iron ladders and metal rungs have taken the place of flimsy wooden constructions used by the Italian troops.

An activity for everyone
Today, the via ferrata is devised to give people with little or no climbing experience access to rock faces normally reached by mountaineers and rock climbers. At Mountain Torq, the world's highest and Asia’s first via ferrata, routes are designed with beginner to intermediate climbers in mind. The beginner’s route will let the climber take their first experience along the granite walls of Mt Kinabalu, while the intermediate routes will take the climber on 3 - 4 hour journeys to experience the mountain’s breathtaking heights and sights. The diversity of via ferrata routes means there is something for everyone - whether he or she is 10 or 70, a keen mountaineer or a casual holidaymaker. Mountain Torq has a via ferrata route to match everyone’s ability and endurance.

Information and pics courtesy of Mountain Torq

Hotel Description

Destination Borneo ~ Sabah ~ Kinabalu Park ~ Mount Kinabalu ~ Mountain Torq (Mountain Torq is located above 3,200m on Mt Kinabalu’s Panar Laban rock face. To get there, it is a scenic 4 - 6 hour hike from Mt Kinabalu Park Headquarters. Once you reach the Laban Rata rock slab, which houses a group of mountain lodges including our own Huts, a short 10-15 min walk will lead you to Mountain Torq’s starting point) Room Type Pendant Hut accommodates 30 climbers Room Description dormitory beds with Common Bathroom, cold water and no heating Facilities & Activities Take your first steps on the world’s highest via ferrata and learn how to walk the Torq. An initiation for those who want to build their confidence in via ferrata climbing. Easy - Everyone between 10 to 70, 2 - 3hrs climbing time for Torq

Tips on what to bring with you if you wish to climb the mountain:

Suitable walking shoes * warm clothing * wind breaker * long sleeves shirts * change of clothes * drinking water * high energy food (chocolates, nuts, raisins, glucose) * headache tablets or altitude sickness tablets * sun block * lip gloss * deep heat lotion * plasters * insect repellent * mosquito oil * binoculars * camera * water proof bag for camera * torchlight * extra socks * towel * gloves * hat mask * tissue paper / toilet roll

SPECIAL NOTE:

It is recommended that all climbers should have themselves medically checked before attempting any mountain climb. If you have a history of suffering from the following ailments, it is highly recommend that you should refrain from climbing: Hypertension, Diabetes, Palpitation, Arthritis, Heart disease, severe anemia, Peptic ulcers, Epileptic fits, Obesity (overweight), Chronic asthma, Muscular cramps, Hepatitis (jaundice); or any other disease which may hamper the climber.

*tip info courtesy of Sabah Parks.

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