{"id":125,"date":"2015-08-30T02:35:17","date_gmt":"2015-08-29T18:35:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/?p=125"},"modified":"2021-01-17T15:28:48","modified_gmt":"2021-01-17T07:28:48","slug":"guide-to-climbing-mt-trusmadi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/guide-to-climbing-mt-trusmadi\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to Climbing Mt. Trusmadi (Mt. Trus Madi)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mount Trus Madi (or Mt. Trusmadi) is the second highest mountain (2,642 Meters or 8,668 ft) of Malaysia.<\/strong> Albeit 1,453 Meters lower than Mount Kinabalu (4,095 Meters), climbing Mt. Trusmadi is more challenging, so it offers a thrilling experience for adventure seekers. Many tourists who have conquered Mt. Kinabalu are also keen to give it a try. If you are physically fit and exercise regularly, you would find Mt. Trus Madi is very climbable even though the trail is less tourist-friendly.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The peaks of Mt. Trus Madi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The facilities of Trusmadi have improved tremendously in past few years (especially the Tambunan side), so it has become a hot destination. Mt. Trus Madi is located in Trus Madi Forest Reserve (Code: FMU-10<\/strong> = Forest Management Unit No.10), so you need to apply entry permit from Sabah Forestry Department<\/a> for the climb. This article provides the most complete and updated information to help you planning the climb.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Overview of 3 Summit Trails to Mt. Trus Madi<\/h3>\n

Climbing Mt. Trus Madi can be done in 2 to 4 days, depends on the trail you pick. There are three summit trails that lead to the highest peak of Mt. Trus Madi<\/strong>, i.e.:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Kaingaran Trail<\/em> in Tambunan<\/li>\n
  2. Mannan Trail<\/em> in Keningau<\/li>\n
  3. Mastan Trail<\/em> in Sook<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \"Location<\/a>
    Location map of Mt. Trus Madi & starting points of 3 summit trails<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    These trails have different climbing distance, starting point, road accessibility, level of difficulty and facilities on the mountain. Picking the trail is your first step to plan the climb. Kaingaran Trail (Tambunan) is the most popular choice because its climbing distance is shorter (4.9 KM) and the facilities are the most developed.<\/strong> Mannan Trail (Keningau) is the second best choice. Though the climb takes 4 days, the view along the trail is more beautiful and you don’t need a 4-Wheel Drive.<\/p>\n

    The following table is a comparison of three trails (can click to enlarge):<\/p>\n

    \"Table:<\/a>
    Table: Comparison of 3 summit trails to Mt. Trus Madi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Since these three summit trails are connected to one another on the summit, you also can choose to ascend and descend to different points for more fun. For example, you can climb up the mountain via Kaingaran Trail from Tambunan, but climb down via Mannan Trail to Keningau, if you are able to arrange your return transport waits at other end.<\/p>\n

    Below are more detail reviews of three summit trails to Mt. Trusmadi:<\/p>\n

    1. Kaingaran Trail<\/h4>\n

    Kaingaran Trail is the oldest and most developed trail. I climbed Mt. Trus Madi via this trail in year 2010<\/a>. However, the climb is much more enjoyable and easier nowadays because of upgraded trail and accommodation.<\/p>\n

    \"Kaingaran<\/a>
    Kaingaran Trail of Tambunan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Climbing Distance:<\/strong> 4.9 KM (require 2 day 1 night)
    \nLocation:<\/strong> Tambunan District
    \nStarting Point:<\/strong> 27 Km (2.5 hours drive) from Tambunan Town (mainly gravel road. The last 6 KM road trip needs 4-Wheel Drive)
    \nAccommodation:<\/strong> Mirad Irad Base Camp (foothill), Rest House\u00a0(at 2.9 KM of mountain trail)<\/p>\n

    \"Mirad<\/a>
    Mirad Irad Base Camp of Mt. Trus Madi in Tambunan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    You can spend one extra night at Mirad Irad Base Camp of Mt. Trus Madi (7 KM before starting point (20 min drive) and 900 Meters above sea level), if you want to start your climb very early in next morning. The accommodation at Base Camp can accommodate 24 people, and camping (Fee: RM10) is allowed. The room rate is RM20 per night per person. Please note you MUST book 1 month in advance.<\/p>\n

    \"Starting<\/a>
    Taman Kitingan:<\/strong> Starting point in Tambunan (Kaingaran Trail)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    If you start your climb on day 1 from Kota Kinabalu City (KK), you need to drive about 4 hours from KK to starting point in Tambunan, very likely you will start your climb around noon, which is kind of late. That’s why some climbers prefer to stay an extra night in Mirad Irad Base camp or hotel in Tambunan.<\/p>\n

    \"Plank<\/a>
    Plank walk & boardwalk in summit trail at Tambunan (Kaingaran Trail)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    The first 3 KM of Kaingaran Trail is boardwalk. It’s leech-free and makes climbing more like hiking.<\/p>\n

    \"Taliban<\/a>
    Taliban Point, which is named after OKK Taliban, the 1st native chief of Tambunan and has nothing to do with terrorist.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
    \"Toilet<\/a>
    Toilet in summit trail to Mt. Trus Madi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
    \"One<\/a>
    One of the shelters in Kaingaran Trail (Tambunan)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
    \"Summit<\/a>
    Summit trail to Mt. Trus Madi (Kaingaran Trail, Tambunan)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Mt. Trus Madi Rest House\u00a0(only available for Kaingaran Trail)<\/h4>\n

    There is\u00a0only one accommodation on Mt. Trus Madi and about 2.9 KM away from the summit. The Rest House\u00a0has 5 rooms, each with 4 bunk beds, and able to host 20 people at a time. The fee per person is RM20-RM100 per night per bed. The amenities\u00a0are quite basic, water supply and lighting are available.<\/p>\n

    \"Rest<\/a>
    Mt. Trus Madi Rest House\u00a0looks like a long house<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
    \"Accommodation<\/a>
    Accommodation on Mt. Trus Madi. Guide and Porter camp under the Rest House\u00a0if the rooms are full.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
    \"Rooms<\/a>
    Bunk beds in Rest House. It costs RM20-100 per night per person.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
    \"Kitchen<\/a>
    Kitchen of the Rest House. only tour operator can cook.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
    \"Toilet<\/a>
    Toilet of the Rest House<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
    \"Mt.<\/a>
    Rest House\u00a0on Mt. Trus Madi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    The following video gives a good overview of Kaingaran Trail, with a lot of aerial views of Mirad Irad Base Camp, Mt. Trusmadi Rest House\u00a0and the summit:<\/p>\n