What is Via Ferrata?
It is an Italian term meaning ‘Iron Path’, which is a protected series of climbing route, built with a steel cable rails that are fixed to the rock face, with some elements of metal steps, ladders, suspension bridges and cable bridges. Climbers participating in the Via Ferrata activities would go through the series of the elements by using a safety harness clipped onto the wire. At Mount Kinabalu there are 2 level grades for climbers to choose and do the activity (these grades are according to the French grading), one is the ‘Walk the Torq’ referred as WTT and the second is the ‘Low’s Peak Circuit’ in short LPC. The differences between these two are as follows;
Walk the Torq
Or in short is referred to as WTT starts at 3,520 meters and ends at 3,411 meters is an introductory route, which would be ideal for beginners and those who would like to have some fun activities after the summit Mount Kinabalu Climb. The highlights of Walk the Torq activities include the twin cable Monkey Bridge, the Tyrolean Traverse and the Balancing Beam.
Walk the Torq details:
Length of route 430 m
2 hours to complete
French grade PD
Highest point 3,520 m above sea level
Low’s Peak Circuit:
Or else referred to as LPC starts at 3,776 meters and ends at 3,411 meters is an intermediate route designed for those who are physically fit and seeks for further adventure. The total length of the route is 1.1 km with a vertical height traverse of 365 meters (not recommended for those with height phobia) and takes about 4 to 5 hours to complete the whole route. The LPC route is an extension of the WTT route, in addition it has some steeper descends, obstacles like a suspension bridge and the 3-cables Nepalese bridge.
Low’s Peak Circuit – LPC
Length of route 1.1 km
4 hours duration
French grade AD
Highest point 3,776 m above sea level