Borneo Climbing

A Brief History about BorneoClimbing

By Wilfred Tok

Thursday, December 15, 2005

Hi there!  

A warm welcome to BORNEO Climbing.

This website has an objective of introducing to outdoor lover, adventurer, climbers, mountaineers, non-climber and even Arm-chair adventurers to the beauty, fascination, freedom and richness of climbing and exploration in this topical island above the clouds. They called it, "The Island of BORNEO". It also serves as a form of communication between experience climbers, trekkers, explorers, as a mean of sharing their experiences, joys, frustration, hardships and dreams .... that entails in any ADVENTURE and Exploration.

My name is Wilfred Tok Beng Cheong. A key member of the - Mountaineering Society of Singapore, aka. MOSS, which was established some 17 years ago. MOSS has been actively involves in climbing and mountaineering projects/expeditions.  Noticeably, in 1998, the First Singapore Mount Everest Expedition - via Nepal. The Singapore-Latin American Everest North Ridge Expedition 2001 - via Tibet.  The MacCoffee Tien Shan Expedition 2005 - via Kazakhstan, central asia. The Cerro Aconcagua Alpine Style Expedition 2000 - via Polish Traverse route, Argentina, South America.

Magical Adventure and Journey require years of training and experiences. Always preparing for the surprises and unknown!!!  MOSS members staying in a small island of Singapore was then desperately searching for training ground overseas to groom more young climbers and clocked more training time. Fortunately, we found a unique place about 2 hours of flight time from Singapore. To North East of Singapore lies the exotic Island of Borneo. We found a mountain known as Mount Kinabalu.  Standing tall on the Island of Borneo in the Malaysian state of Sabah. It is the highest point between the Himalayas and New Guinea. Rising above 13,000 feet out of the Borneo jungles. The mountain is composed of glacier-scoured granite. Glacier carved pinnacles and rock faces rises from 20m to 500m from the top plateau. From 500m to over 1000m from the valley floor on the outer faces. A rock climbing paradise for people of all level.

Since 1990, MOSS has been actively running expeditions to Mount Kinabalu. Noticeably in 1991, under the invitation of Sabah Park. MOSS members attempted a Low's Gully descent. Although the descent was not successful, it actually kick start a series of climbing exploration & training programs to Kinabalu for the next 15 years. With the ever burning passion for more adventures came the idea of bringing people to enjoy the great FREEDOM of climbing and mountaineering.

Year 2004 marked a significant milestone.  As MOSS celebrate 15 years anniverary. Myself and other key members of the society offered an introductory training program in traditional climbing for Sabah Park staff. The delivery of this program also sparks the idea of using Mt Kinabalu as a training ground for young and aspiring adventurers or climbers. Thus in the 4th quarter of 2005, my company Adventure Factors Mountaineering Centre (AFMC) was set-up in Sabah.

Adventure Factors Mountaineering Centre (AFMC) was set-up with the aims:

• To provide Basic to Advance technical climbing courses and adventure related programs using best practices worldwide with Mt Kinabalu as one of the key training ground.
• To provide Alpine Trekking programs for people who loves the outdoor and seeking a different experience.
• To provide enironmental education for local, visitors, trekkers, climbers, expedition parties to the Mt Kinabalu alpine zone.
• To promote the sport of CLIMBING as a lifestyle and a healthy sport in a responsible and sustainable way.
• To provide opportunities for skills upgrade and/or employment to parks staff, guides and porters.

Having AdventureFACTORS further extend my love for the sport and the natural environment that we all live in. 

To know more about AFMC, their courses/programs/expeditions/news.. etc.  Please log into www.mountaintorq.com

 

As we have just started this site in late 2005. We would like to hear from you. Please give your comment or input to make this site relevant to newcomers and also experienced climbers.

Safe Climbing,

Wilfred Tok