March 2011 ~ Paragliding Sandakan

Charting Mt Kinabalu as a Top Paragliding site in the World.

The Ultimate Paragliding Experience.

Sabah offers an incredible diversity of world class attractions. It’s Sea, Land and Mountain attracts thousands of tourists’ yearly seeking adventures from ocean deep to mountain high. Hence, Sabah has been promoted as A Premier Nature Adventure Ecotourism Destination in the world. The adventure varies from easy, medium, hard and extreme, caters for wide range of tourists of all age and category. One of the latest craze coming to Sabah is extreme sports, one of it is Paragliding.

Sabah Tourism Board, under the purview of Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment has been promoting Mount Kinabalu and its surrounding hills as a world class and ‘been there’ destination for world Paragliders. Actively supporting the cause are Malaysia Airlines as the preferred airlines to Malaysia, Celcom as the premier Telco and Kelab Luncur Udara Kinabalu (KLUK) as the host for Paragliders in this region.

On 8th – 10th March 2011, Sabah Tourism in collaboration with Kelab Luncur Udara Kinabalu (KLUK) and Negeri Sembilan Sports Aviation Club (NSSAC) had embarked on an historic event to fly down from the peak of Mount Kinabalu. 20 experienced paragliders from all over Malaysia and 5 other paragliders from Philippines, Indonesia and Singapore had taken part in this historic attempt to promote Mount Kinabalu as a world destination for paragliders. It is truly an experience of a life time taking-off from the summit plateau of the highest mountain in South East Asia which stands at 4,101m (13,455 ft).

Paragliders at the summit of Mount Kinabalu (South Peak) of 3,933m (12,902ft).
The final climb begins from Laban Rata at 4am, reaching the summit at 5.45am, just before sunrise and getting ready for the fly-down.

Paragliders holding-up the flags of Malaysia Airlines, Malaysian Paragliders, NSSAC, UNIKL MIAT, NUSUARA, KLUK, CELCOM, Kelantan flag and Philippine flag.

A paraglider taking-off from South Peak Summit of 3,933m (12,902ft).

Paragliders getting ready from their accommodation hostel at Laban Rata (10,700ft) for the final ascent to the summit. The climb starts at 4am in total darkness, therefore head-lamps are one of the essential equipment needed apart from thick clothings and gloves against the extreme cold.

Above Laban Rata, the trail continues as a series of steep wooden ladders, tree roots and ropes against the granite wall. It takes about 1 1/2 hours to reach Sayat-Sayat. This is the highest mountain hut at 3810 meters (12,500 feet). Climbers will have their permits and registrations checked here. This is also the last point to refill drinking water. Climbers, from this point will now head up straight to the Summit of Mount Kinabalu.

A magnificent view from the summit at dawn. The ambient temperature was 8 deg C, but feels much colder and freezing in the strong wind.

Standing against the cliff of the South Peak at 3,933m (12,902ft), scouting for a perfect take-off area and overlooking the Masilau landing area at the foot of the mountain.

Paragliders saying the prayers for a safe and successful flight down the mountain against the unpredictable wind condition and cloud covers. At the backdrop is the Donkey’s Ears at 4,054m (13,301ft).

Paragliders with their flags.
Capt Mohd Arif, Capt Nasaruddin and Flight Stewardess Norhayati represent paragliders from Malaysia Airlines. Others, paragliders from NSSAC, Nusuara Technologies, UNIKL MIAT, Kelantan and Philippine.