Friday, June 19, 2009

Mountain Torq Via Ferrata Kundasang


The name via ferrata, or via ferrate (plural) originates from an Italian word ‘Via Attrezzata’ (fully equipped road), which means routs that are secured by handrails, ladders, cables or lifelines.

Mountain Torq’s activities are run by Moutain Torq Sdn Bhd which is based in Sabah, Malaysia. Launched in mid-December 2007, The Mountain Torq Via Ferrata is a mountain ‘trail’ made up of iron rungs, palettes (footholds), cables and rails that are wrapped around the North Face of Mount Kinabalu.

Mountain Torq Via Ferrata starts at Mount Kinabalu Panar Laban Rock Face (approximately 3,300 meters) and reaches its highest point at 3,800 meters.

Thrill seekers adrenaline junkies will get their sufficient fix from the available packages at the via ferrata, namely: Walk the Torq, The Low’s Peak Circuit, The Preamble, The Balancing Act, The High Path, and Conquer the Torq.

Other activities available are intro to sports climbing (single pitch), intro to sports climbing (multi pitch), sports climbing level 1, sports climbing level 2, intro to rappelling (abseiling), rappelling (abseiling) level 1, and intro to rope ascending.

Accommodations are available at the Pendant Hut—3,270 meters above sea level, which can accommodate at least 30 people at one time, with a dormitory-bunk bed type.

The Sayat-Sayat—3,668 meters above sea level, which accommodates 10 people at a time, with a dormitory-bunk bed type.