Mountain Torq, the world’s highest and Asia’s first via ferrata
opened in December 2007 offering a new, exhilarating,
adrenalin-charged experience to climbers and hikers to the world
heritage site, Mount Kinabalu. A via ferrata (or ‘iron road’ in
Italian), is a continuous protected mountain path. It consists of
a series of steel rungs, rails and cables embedded into the rock
face, opening up routes to the average hiker that were previously
only accessible to experienced rock climbers and mountaineers with
specialised equipment.
Mountain Torq’s via ferrata enables climbers
and non-climbers to experience the thrill of mountain
climbing in complete safety, while taking in the
spectacular mountain surroundings and summit views.
Located at Mount Kinabalu’s Pana Laban rock face,
Mountain Torq’s via ferrata begins at 3,400 metres and
ends at 3,800 metres. It is an alternative route giving
access to the top of Mount Kinabalu (4095m a.s.l.).
The world’s second highest via ferrata, at
3,343 metres, is found halfway across the globe in the
Italian Dolomites called the Marmolada West ridge.
Mountain Torq’s via ferrata is approximately 1.2
kilometres and traverses routes of varying difficulty.
It thus caters to all levels of experience, from
beginners to intermediate hikers and climbers.
The more challenging and physically demanding
routes, suited to those with above average fitness
levels, will take climbers off-the-beaten track and
includes negotiating a 22m foot bridge suspended at a
breathtaking 3,600m a.s.l.
Wilfred Tok, Founder of Adventure Mountaineering
Centre Sdh Bhd, the operator of Mountain Torq said,
“Aside from its record-breaking height, the launch of
Mountain Torq’s via ferrata at Mount Kinabalu is also
significant for the fact that it is Asia’s newest
mountaineering sport. Unlike other mountaineering or
climbing activities, it is suitable for all ages, from
10 to 70 years and above. As long as you know how to and
are still able to climb a ladder, you will be able to
negotiate the via ferrata. All that is needed is a sprit
of adventure, the average fitness level of a normal
mountain hiker and no fear of heights.”
Mountain Torq’s via ferrata conforms to the highest
international safety standards. It was constructed using
only CE Mark-approved materials from France, which means
that they satisfy stringent European Union quality
standards. The via ferrata is able to withstand up to 3
tonnes of weight. Safety practices developed and
prescribed by UIAA (the International Climbing and
Mountaineering Federation) for mountaineering sports are
adhered to strictly. All equipment used in the sport is
UIAA certified and participants are guided at all times
by activity trainers who have undergone rigorous
training, with regular skills upgrading based on an
UIAA-endorsed syllabus.
Furthermore, a continuous belay system is
employed throughout the via ferrata route wherein
climbers are always hooked up to a guideline, making any
deviation from the route virtually impossible.
Of the various mountain climbing activities, via
ferrata boasts one of the highest safety records, no
mean feat considering its long history. Beginning in
Europe, with increasing popularity elsewhere, especially
in North America, the leisure mountaineering sport had
its roots in World War I. The first via ferrata was
constructed and used by the Italian military to move men
and equipment in the Italian Dolomites across to
Austria. Today, there are about 500 via ferrate in the
world, predominately in Italy, Germany, France, Austria,
Slovenia, Switzerland, Spain and a few places in the
United States and Canada.
Wilfred Tok, added “We are delighted in being able to
play a part in the development of Mount Kinabalu and the
exotic island of Borneo as a world class destination for
sports and adventure tourists. This is the first time a
mountaineering activity is formally being introduced to
Mount Kinabalu since 1964, when Kinabalu Park was first
opened to the public. With Mountain Torq, Mount Kinabalu
will entice travelers beyond just scaling the mountain.
With this latest mountaineering activity, we can
confidently say that Borneo is now a world class
adventure destination with a myriad of ocean and
mountain activities.”
In addition to the via ferrata, Mountain Torq, the
mountaineering training centre, also offers other
mountaineering activities.
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