Kinabalu Earthquake: 10 Years Later, Remembering the Guides, the Grief, and the Mountain’s Silent Heroes
This article marks the beginning of a series by MountKinabalu.com to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Kinabalu Earthquake. Over the coming weeks, we will share the voices and stories of those who were there: mountain guides, Sabah Parks staff, and survivors whose lives were forever changed by what happened that morning.
***
On the morning of 5th June 2015, at precisely 7:15AM, the earth trembled beneath Mount Kinabalu. A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck without warning, shaking the sacred mountain and the people upon it to their core. In the hours and days that followed, Sabah would come to know the depths of grief, the weight of uncertainty, and the quiet heroism of those who rose when others froze.
Eighteen people lost their lives that day, including climbers, schoolchildren, teachers, two Via Ferrata trainers, and two local mountain guides, Robbie Sapinggi and Joseph Soludin. Their deaths left a scar not only on the mountain, but on the community that had long called it home. Today, a decade later, we remember them.
Their courage was reflected in the actions of dozens of others that day. When the earthquake struck, it was the local guides who stepped up, leading climbers to safety through freezing temperatures, blocked trails, and fear of further tremors. In the absence of clear instructions or immediate external help, it was their knowledge and instinct that saved lives.
Robbie is remembered as a beloved figure among his peers. "He was one of the best mountain guides ever," says Wilsone, Deputy President of Sabah’s Mountain Guide Association, who considered Robbie a mentor and brother. "He was funny, easy-going, and warm," echoed Dwinah, a staff member at Sutera Sanctuary Lodges and relative of Robbie. "Everyone knew him," added Julie from Kinabalu Park’s operations team. Joseph, though newer to the team, was known for his kindness and his dedication to his climbers. "He always took good care of them," Wilsone recalls. Dwinah remembers Joseph as “friendly and kind,” a sentiment that has stayed with many who worked alongside him.
For many of the local guides and porters, 5th June 2015 remains as vivid now as it was then. The earthquake took everyone by surprise. In a place where tremors were unheard of, the sudden rupture of the earth left climbers stranded, communication lines cut, and emergency response units momentarily at a loss.
Amidst the confusion and fear, the mountain guides stepped into roles far beyond what their job descriptions called for. They were faced with a dire and unfolding emergency – trails obliterated by landslides and debris, climbers stranded in freezing conditions with limited food and water, and no clear escape route. The summit's temperature hovered between 0°C to 3°C, and many climbers were exposed, injured, and desperately in need of medical attention.
With marked trails completely blocked by boulders and landslides, the guides had to cut through dense forest, carving out entirely new routes in the dark, often unsure if the path ahead would hold. Every step was a gamble against falling rocks and time.
The pressure on the guides was immense; every decision could mean the difference between life and death. In those moments, the mountain guides became lifelines, carrying the weight of others' survival with remarkable courage.
Cornelius, who had been guiding a group of Singaporean students at the time, described having to stay calm despite his inner fear. "At this point, I have become one with the mountain. A part of my soul will always live on Mount Kinabalu," he said.
Christopher, another guide, was leading a group down from the summit when the quake hit. He recalls the terrifying sound: “like an aeroplane starting to fly... then a loud cracking.” Stranded for more than ten hours at the 7.5KM mark, he and other guides provided water, food, and comfort to shaken climbers while deciding whether to descend through falling debris or risk an overnight stay. They chose to descend by rope, finally reaching Timpohon Gate (the starting point) at 1:30AM.
Wilsone had been giving a safety briefing when the quake struck. He and his brother ran up the trail in record time, fuelled by adrenaline, to join the rescue. “We had no choice,” he said. “Only the mountain guides knew the trail well enough. We took roughly 14 hours to evacuate everyone. There were about 130 climbers stranded.”
Asram, who was part of the same rescue mission, described routes blocked by falling rocks, injured climbers needing to be carried, and making the hard decision to descend at night after a violent tremor hit around 9:00PM. "Forty of us mountain guides, together with some firefighters, gathered to discuss what to do. We decided it was best to make our way down to Timpohon."
The emotional toll was immense. Asram isolated himself in his room for days after, plagued by trauma. He almost left guiding altogether, but later returned to help rebuild the trail, seeing it as a personal challenge and a way to heal. “Mount Kinabalu is not just a mountain. It is a living and spiritual being that deserves respect,” he said. “We care for the mountain like we do our own family.”
Despite the trauma, many guides and staff continue to work on the mountain. Some say they stay because of duty. Others speak of a deeper connection. Their reasons vary, but a common thread binds them: love for the mountain and its people.
Many climbers were trapped on the mountain for over ten hours that day, only beginning their descent late in the afternoon after aftershocks made it too dangerous to wait. Some had been scheduled to stay the night at the base camp. But as tremors continued into the evening, the decision was made to descend in the dark.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, systemic changes were made. The MOSAR team (Mount Search and Rescue) was formed, alongside enhanced safety protocols and daily patrols by Sabah Parks and trained guide teams. Wilsone notes that while nothing can erase the pain of 2015, they are now far better prepared. “We don’t know when something like this will happen again,” he says. “But we will be more prepared the next time.”
There is still much grief in the community. Several of those we spoke to became emotional during interviews, expressing how difficult it has been to revisit the memories. Some admitted they have spent years trying to block out that day entirely. The trauma runs deep.
And yet, they return to the mountain.
Wilsone puts it simply: “If I quit, who else is going to do it?”
As we remember 5th June 2015, we also honour the bravery of those who responded with courage and compassion. In this series, we will hear from them directly: the ones who stayed, the ones who lost, the ones who still climb.
Their stories deserve to be heard.
Their voices will carry us through this season of remembrance.
If you have memories, tributes, or reflections you would like to share, we welcome you to email us at info@mountkinabalu.com or message us on Instagram @mtkinabalu
Last Updated At:
Back to News