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World Heritage site - Mesilau Trail


World Heritage site - Mesilau Trail
Photo Information
Copyright: Bill Laucp (trekks) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1530 W: 117 N: 2574] (8967)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-03-06
Categories: Daily Life, Nature, Transportation
Camera: Nikon D-80 Digital SLR, Tamron SP AF 17-50 mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD, 2Gb SD, 67mm UV
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Trip to Sabah - Land below the wind
Date Submitted: 2008-04-24 7:26
Viewed: 758
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 62
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
One of 2 Malaysia's World Heritage sites, Kinabalu National Park, Sabah was inscribed in year 2000, with the justification of Criteria (ix) and (x): The site has a diverse biota and high endemism. The altitudinal and climatic gradient from tropical forest to alpine conditions combine with precipitous topography, diverse geology and frequent climate oscillations to provide conditions ideal for the development of new species. The Park contains high biodiversity with representatives from more than half the families of all flowering plants. The majority of Borneo’s mammals, birds, amphibians and invertebrates (many threatened and vulnerable) occur in the Park.

The ridge here at KM5 is 2400m ASL and on each side is a steep drop of 1000m. On the left will be the Kundasang valley, and on the right will be another mountain range. As we trekked, we saw one tall waterfall splundering down the slopes and could not imagine how tall it will be, at least few hundred meters? Both times we trekked this mountain, it rained. This time it was very misty and no scenic view to be seen, and we carried more load including camera equipment. Very pleasant trekking trip, one to test your endurance limits. When you have time, read details below. Thank you for viewing.

The Mesilau Trail leading from Mesilau Nature Resort to Layang-Layang (Carson's Camp) on the Summit Trail was opened only in October 1998. This route is used mainly for scientists and researchers as it takes longer (about 5-6 hours to Layang-Layang from Mesilau, as compared to 2-3 hours on the standard route to Timpohon Gate), and many parts are steep and slippery, particularly in wet weather. If you wish to use this trail, you must register and pay a small fee either at the Kinabalu Park HQ or the Mesilau Gate before they start.

The start of the trail from Mesilau Gate up to the first steep descent is an enjoyable walk in itself that only takes about one hour, one way. The trail starts from a shelter just above the reception office in the tall oak-chestnut forest, but conifers soon become more common and climbing bamboos dominate the undergrowth.

After about 20 minutes, near the ridge crest at about 2,000 meters (6,500 feet), the forest suddenly becomes much shorter and more stunted, with rocks and boulders jumbled among tangled tree roots, covered in spongy mosses and liveworts.

The path soon rises steeply once again to an open patch, before levelling off slightly, still following the narrowing ridge crest which opens out at the top (2,286 meters/7,475 feet), giving stunning views of the mountain above, if it is clear, and of the waterfalls and rock faces above the resort, as well as views over to the Trus Madi range to the south-east.

The ridge-top is reached just before the 1.5 km mark. Here the trail starts to descend quite steeply down the other side, through taller forest with climbing bamboos. Some little streams are crossed before reaching the Kipuyut bridge, a suspension bridge across the swift-floating West Mesilau river at 2,073 meters (6,778 feet), that cascades down from the precipitous slopes of the Eastern plateau above. A little further on, near the 3 km mark, a small tributary of the West Mesilau is crossed.

From here the trail follows the ridge, rising steeply and continuously, up and up and up in almost never-ending series of steps for about 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles), with occasional views across to the Summit Trail as you get higher. At last you reach a very narrow col which joins onto the main Kinabalu massif. From here another 500 meters (0.25 mile) of trail, more or less contouring around the massif, will bring you out onto the Summit Trail, a little way above Layang-Layang (Carson's Camp). The whole route from Mesilau to Layang-Layang is 5.7 kilometers (3.5 miles).

This route has been advertised in the past as an alternative route to the first part of the summit climb, but it is very much longer and more ardous than the standard trail which is only about 3 km (2 miles) from Timpohon Gate to Layang-Layang. It is recommended that the Mesilau route is walked separately. (source : dr drizad)
COSTANTINO, dareco, siamesa, gunbud, DragonAngel, belido, ChrisJ, noborders, jusninasirun, Cretense, jlbrthnn, rodgerg, lestans, jafadabret, cfreire, Truja, jhm, danos, zmey, stego, mafegan has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Bill,
beautiful picture of this exotic nature
and really interesting place to have a walk there.
The fog creates a strange atmosphere in the air.
Good work my friend.
Regards,
Costantino

  • Great 
  • dareco Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1760 W: 42 N: 789] (11205)
  • [2008-04-24 8:51]

I would just love the hike down this path, it looks gorgeous!! TFS

Hello Bill,

I like the way you have framed your shot with natural vegetation; it also makes it appear very secretive as it shrouds the beginning of the lead in line! The mist compounds this atmosphere! Nice composition.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)
Many thanks for your comments on 'See The Lakeland Hills from Latterbarrow.'

Hi Bill,
As I said in your other picture in TL, I would like to walk there, really. It's a fantastic place to know.
Abraços
Maria

Hey Bill,

Yeah, I`d be happy as a kid in a candy store right there. Beautifully shown, from the plants to the fog, all work well in the composition, bringing up the sense of exoticism.

See you.

  • Great 
  • gunbud Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 4485 W: 4 N: 4012] (18193)
  • [2008-04-24 18:38]

Hi Bill,
Wonderful high altitude shot of this mist shrouded hiking trail. The lush green vegatation contrast beautifully with the golden brown dirt. Very informative note to go along with this fine image.
Regards, Tom

Hi Bill,

what a fresh image! It looks pleasant for a walk. The fog combined with the vegetation create an interesting atmosphere. Very nice natural colors and sharpness. It's different and attractive. Great work and TFS!
Regards,
Carlos

Hi Bill!
This trail doesn't look easy to walk along!
I love the trees and the mist around them!
TFS
Neyvan Peçanhuk

  • Great 
  • ChrisJ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 8776 W: 923 N: 11778] (57325)
  • [2008-04-26 1:23]

Hi Bill

A very informative note, & a good capture of the lonely mountain pathway. Excellent colour & sharpness. Tfs!

bonjour BILL.
ta photo avec ce petit chemin de terre me plait beaucoup!
image bien composée!
amitiés....aldo.

The same eerie atmosphere as in your TL photo that I saw yesterday, really nice too (but with maybe a slight preference for the other one), palet of colours is very rich and very natural, what a beautiful place ! Again, Huangshan comes to my mind...
Compliments,
Cath.
(NB : many thanks for your explanations, I have yet to try this - one of these days, it will probably work without any problems !)

Hello Bill. Very nice perspective of this trail with the red earth making good contrast against the misty backdrop. I can feel the freshness of the high altitude from here and thanks for sharing. Regards, Jusni

Hi Bill!

This looks like a fantastic place, the one you share with us today! Beautiful landscape, intense vegetation, and an inviting path that leads us to discover this hidden beauty. The mist enhances the atmosphere. Congratulations!

Hercules

Hello Bill,
Very beautiful beautiful image of this path. I like these moderate colors and light. Your note, very long, is particularly interesting, a good description of the contents of the park and course.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

Hello Bill,

A beautiful vew oh an exotic nature. Very interisting and yout notice too. Good prospect with this small way.
Regards,
Roger

Hello Bill,

A dreamy, misty image of the trail in Kinabalu National Park. The fog makes the image all the more compelling, and the note is highly informative. Thank you for taking the time to put together such an effective TE-package.

Warm regards,

Bulent

Hi Bill!
I appreciate your note, si informative, as well as your picture! You must have a strange atmospera in this famous misty mountain,
TFS! ciao!!

Livia

Bonjour Bill.
Ce chemin dans cette forêt tropicale est très beau. J'aime le brouillard qui fait un fond plein de mystère à ces arbres aux ports tourmentés.
Jacques

Hi Bill
Beautiful image very well captured with excellent contrasts between the vibrant greens in foreground against this haze in background cut by the brownish path. Good POV and framing. Well done, friend. Best regards, Consuelo

  • Great 
  • dumbo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 293 W: 52 N: 138] (1851)
  • [2008-04-28 0:57]

Hi Bill,
Great foggy photo of this very beautiful and pure nature.
I like that curved path and the composition of this photo.
Good job!

Best wishes,
Eino

  • Great 
  • Truja Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 674 W: 92 N: 1460] (4946)
  • [2008-04-28 3:05]

Hi Bill,
Interesting POV with the way in the center of the image, is an invitation to cross the photography across the path. Excellent environment of fog that stamps an air of mystery on the image. The colors are treated well, very soft and natural.

Best regards,

Jordi

  • Great 
  • jhm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 12731 W: 272 N: 16984] (67992)
  • [2008-04-28 3:54]

Hello Bill,

It narrow path leads us depth in this wonderful nature area.
When I see the misty background get I a lot longing to a good strolls.
The lush green vegetation contrast beautifully with the golden brown sand.
Very well done, thanks for sharing.

Best regards,
John.

  • Great 
  • danos Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3545 W: 83 N: 5078] (19510)
  • [2008-04-28 5:22]

Hello Bill,
the place looks very authentic and justly declared as a World Heritage site.The greenery of endemism and the others characteristics that your write in your note make it so important and win the title of the World Heritage.Informative and useful your note.

Regards,danos

  • Great 
  • zmey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1309 W: 101 N: 1340] (5190)
  • [2008-04-28 7:44]

hello bill

a very clear picture accurately depicting the highland ambience. however, i believe what's really EXCELLENT here is the combination of the picture with your very detailed note. thanks for sharing, friend.

with warm regards,
kristaps

  • Great 
  • stego Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3765 W: 632 N: 5050] (15370)
  • [2008-04-28 11:15]

Hi Bill,
I don't know why, the name of that mountain has always fascinated me, even before I knew anything relevant about it (I still don't know much...). I think I didn't need reading the note to find on the image an unique kind of mix of tropical and alpine. It's a beautiful and very moody photo, with the fog giving it a nice touch of mystery.
Regards, José.

Hi Bill, fascinating misty view with fantastic colors, wonderful place, very well done, ciao Silvio

Ola Bill,
Que atmosfera com este denso nevoeiro , a natureza é linda ,gostei muito das cores , belo ponto de visão , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

  • Great 
  • sagar Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 386 W: 65 N: 288] (1795)
  • [2008-04-30 0:43]

Hi Bill,
A trekkers delight, this trail......the rough muddy road within the line of the beautiful trees and the hazy environment....a deight.
Regards,
Sagarneel.

  • Great 
  • Gerrit Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4311 W: 88 N: 5324] (25700)
  • [2008-04-30 10:29]

Hi Bill,
beautiful landscape and it sure looks like a great trail for moiuntainbiking. Good composition.
Regards, Gerrit

Hello Bill
A very sharp image of Mesilau Trail and yet there is a sense anticipation with the trail heading into the mist - I almost feel like I am there. TFS, Marlene

  • Great 
  • fanni Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 261 W: 65 N: 369] (1526)
  • [2008-10-03 14:02]

Hello Bill,
very beautiful photo; very good composition, with the trees hiding the empty white spaces and creating a mysterious effect together with the fog. Beautiful rich colours... Very nice!
best regards,
Elena

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