Kinabalu: Mesilau - Low's Gully Expedition 2001

Kinabalu: Mesilau-Low's Gully Expedition 2001

Itinerary
Benefits

Our expedition is designed to benefit both the international climbing community and local Mt. Kinabalu enthusiasts.

Benefits

Development of comprehensive rock climbing guide to Mt. Kinabalu

Development of new rock climbing routes on Mt. Kinabalu

Increased training for local aspiring mountaineers and rock climbers

Encouragement of local interest in climbing and climbing related issues

International promotion of climbing on Mt. Kinabalu

International promotion of associated expedition supporters

We believe that our expedition will benefit the local climbing community in Sabah. Currently, team leader Brent Raymond holds the most extensive compilation of rock climbing routes on Kinabalu and the completion of this project will benefit both local and foreign climbers who choose to visit this exotic and adventurous mountain destination. The local Sabahan community will benefit from increased exposure to climbing on the mountain, increased training opportunities for OBS staff and the encouragement of a more established climbing community through news media and the new guidebook.

The members feel that it is important for a more defined climbing ethic to be established on Mt. Kinabalu. With the majority of development on the mountain conducted by foreigners, who rarely record their activities, there is a lack of a local ethic with respect to the style in which climbs should be done and to the use of permanent bolt anchors on the mountain. During past courses conducted for local outdoor educators and the public, we have attempted to outline the issues involved in defining a climbing ethic. Our interest is not to impose our style of climbing on the climbing community, but rather to encourage them to evolve their own. This expedition will be another step in helping local climbers, who are typically very new to the sport, develop such an ethic.

The team has presented slide shows to both the Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) and to the Calgary Mountain Club (CMC) on climbing Mt. Kinabalu. On our return, we intend to offer slide presentations of this expedition to interested ACC sections and local outdoor enthusiasts. For the interest of OBS and involved Sabahans, we will submit a post-expedition report will accompanying images over the internet. Copies of the completed guidebook will also be donated to selected climbing organizations in Canada, to OBS, Sabah Parks and to interested mountain enthusiasts in Sabah.