Sabah's Mountain Path Is World's Highest

Mt. Kinabalu.

KOTA KINABALU, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- Mountain Torq Sdn Bhd announced that its 'via ferrata' (iron road in Italian) on Mount Kinabalu at 3,776 metres above sea-level, has been certified by Guinness World Records (GWR) as the world's highest via ferrata.

A copy of this certification -- Sabah's first and only Guiness World Record -- was officially presented to Sabah Park deputy director Dr Jamili Nair, and witnessed by Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Tengku Zainal Adlin at a ceremony here on Tuesday.

A via ferrata is a mountain path which comprises a series of rungs, rails and cables embracing the rock face.

There are more than 300 via ferrata routes worldwide, predominantly in Italy, Germany, and France, among others.

"GWR took about six months to determine and access before deciding which via ferrata is the highest. We were notified about the results in July," said Mountain Torq's sales and marketing director Quek I-Gek.

The second highest via ferrata is found in the Italian Dolomites, called the Marmolada West ridge, at the highest point of 3,343 metres.

Mountain Torq's founder and executive director Wilfred Tok said they began operations on Dec 15, 2007 where it was then certified by the Malaysia Book of Records as the world's highest.

"Since its inception, about 5,000 people have completed the routes," he told reporters.

Quek said the youngest climber was an eight-year-old girl from Kuala Lumpur while the oldest was a 69-year-old man from Britain.