In and around Kinabalu

[hlyf]

Just got back from Kinabalu. Spent a week in and around the area, climbing the Mt, going for nature walks, enjoying the hot spring, walking around town Some photos to share... C&C welcome!
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Mt Kinabalu

Laban Rata Resthouse


Above the clouds


The trail to the summit


Gnarled wind-swept trees of the upper montane forest near the summit

[hlyf]

Sunrise from the summit


Anti-crepescular rays (directly opp from the sun) shining down on Kota Kinabalu


View from the top

[hlyf]

Met on the road to find the Rafflesia...


Largest flower in the world


Nepenthes Rajah - largest pitcher plant in the world


More pitcher plants


Pitcher plants galore

[hlyf]

Kota Kinabalu pasar malam

Extra large jackfruit






Check out the expression on the boxfish!

[night86mare]

I like this one:



Though going slightly closer in might be preferably. There is too much space at the bottom in my view.

There are same nice scenes here, enjoyed looking through, but there seems to be a tendency to overcontrast.. Making the pictures look very "hard" and unnatural.

[shorty]

Ohhhh

I miss home.... hope you had a good time there!!!

cheers,
shorty

[hlyf]

Originally Posted by night86mare I like this one: Though going slightly closer in might be preferably. There is too much space at the bottom in my view. There are same nice scenes here, enjoyed looking through, but there seems to be a tendency to overcontrast.. Making the pictures look very "hard" and unnatural.

I felt that the road in front gave the pic more depth, but perhaps a lil too much The 2 kids were walking away from us, giggling all the way appearing rather amused by 2 pp with 2 big cameras shooting them...

Was shooting with More Vivid mode, guess that might be why some of the pics look harsh, esp those from the summit.. It made alot of other pics look great though, nice and contrasty Guess will have to play around with the controls more when shooting..

[hlyf]

Originally Posted by shorty Ohhhh I miss home.... hope you had a good time there!!! cheers, shorty

You're from KK? Yeah I had a great time there Might wanna go Sabah again, but not sure about climbing the Mt haha. Tiring lah...

[shorty]

Yupe, me from KK.

You are lucky able to see Rafflesia.

did you start from the kinabalu park trail to summit?
Next time try the other part call Mersilau trail, it is behind the Kundasang market ( just further down the main road from kinabalu park entrance)

Shorty

[hlyf]

Originally Posted by shorty Yupe, me from KK. You are lucky able to see Rafflesia. did you start from the kinabalu park trail to summit? Next time try the other part call Mersilau trail, it is behind the Kundasang market ( just further down the main road from kinabalu park entrance) Shorty

Haha yeah I agree was quite lucky to see the Rafflesia. Saw the sign along the roadside saying there's a Rafflesia in bloom inside.. But apparently it's kind of "farmed" there, as in they planted a number there so that there'll be higher chance of bloom at anytime of the year (ahhh and they also get to charge pp who come and see it >.<)

Yeah I went up and came down from Timpohon gate.. Initial plan was to traverse from Timpohon to Mersilau, but after summiting we were too tired so decided to go back down the shorter route instead I did go to Mersilau and Poring after the climb though Mersilau is the more scenic route I heard? Maybe... next time... must train more...

[rtbh]

nice series! makes me miss Mount Kinabalu and the pasar malam alr...
went there last month. Yup! Mersilau trail is more scenic, and longer by about 2km.
Pls post more...

[jamie-vai]

hi hlyf,

looks like you had quite a fruitful trip!

i am actually also quite interested to climb mount kinabalu. can you share with me more about your trip? like how much did it cost for a 1 week trip like you? preparation work to conquer the submit needed? and any tips for backpackers going there?

please share more, i am so interested to know!

thanks!

[hlyf]

Originally Posted by rtbh nice series! makes me miss Mount Kinabalu and the pasar malam alr... went there last month. Yup! Mersilau trail is more scenic, and longer by about 2km. Pls post more...

Thanks!

I put some more photos up under other sections cos they were pretty random shots not specific to traveling in Kinabalu... here and here

Might post a few more here

So you took the Mersilau trail when you went? Must have been nice I saw your photos before I left actually

[Love_sky]

Bro. How much did you spend for the whole trip ?

[hlyf]

Originally Posted by jamie-vai hi hlyf, looks like you had quite a fruitful trip! i am actually also quite interested to climb mount kinabalu. can you share with me more about your trip? like how much did it cost for a 1 week trip like you? preparation work to conquer the submit needed? and any tips for backpackers going there? please share more, i am so interested to know! thanks!

Hmm I didn't really tally up the total cost of my trip, but I estimate it to be about S$500 ba. We did everything pretty free and easy, transportation from point to point done on the fly (almost) and activities (nature walks, boat tours, etc) booked only when we were there.. If you want some of the contacts or anything can PM me lah

Preparation for the summit... YES I would highly recommend!! Go train at Bukit Timah. Terrain is very similar - alot of steps...


Hmm beware of altitude mountain sickness (AMS) too. Most of us got minor headache after hitting about 3000+ metres above sea level. Can get AMS pills but need prescription..

Flora and fauna on the Mt, at the start (2000+ metres) in the sub montane forest it's just alot alot of ferns


and alot alot of moss


After getting about 3000 metres you'll hit the montane forest, where it's all full of the stunted, gnarled, wind-swept trees like in my previous post.. quite surreal I must say..

Above that when summiting all flora cease to grow altogether and you get bare rock (and a serious lot of wind). Temperatures at night drop to about 8 degrees C, plus wind chill can get quite cold so be prepared

[hlyf]

With some patience, you'll also get to see some local residents!


Met this lil guy at one of the shelters - I think people feed them that's why they hang around the area Shelters are complete with drinking water supply and toilet, so no worries abt that on the mt

[hlyf]

First attempts at HDR from the summit... C&C welcome >.<

Low's Gully from the summit


Sunset from Laban Rata

[hlyf]

Originally Posted by Love_sky Bro. How much did you spend for the whole trip ?

I not bro. Sis ok? Hahaha

[zoossh]

Originally Posted by hlyf Sunrise from the summit

think the above picture should be cropped to focus on the cloud details. it may be wonderful to capture two hues but there is too dark of the clouds in between that really dissected it.

also the black in your jpeg have clipping of details and cannot be retrieved, unless you work on the raw. the highlight is not likely to be retrieved though, even from raw.

i did a crop and some leveling and hues. if you dun like it posted, can pm me or post here.



and also, in order to make a really good shot, dramatic clouds are not enough. if possible, try to see if a house, a person, a signboard or even a particular tree that stands out in shape, to silhouette it as a focal point. even after cropping, there is a lack of subject of interest, making it lack the final knockout.

[night86mare]

Originally Posted by hlyf First attempts at HDR from the summit... C&C welcome >.<

First HDR looks to have issues of misalignment.. Light is also too unnatural, certainly a pity since I like the composition here, very stark in contrast.

Second is done more naturally, albeit a little oversaturated, but that's not too bad. The diagonally cutting upwards land mass, I do not like though. Interrupts the picture rather rudely.


I like what zoosh has done with that last picture. Very nice!