BUKIT TABUR - EAST SIDE

I went hiking to East Side of Bukit Tabur with my son today. As usual, East side is less popluar as compared to the west side. There were only three other groups that we came across on the way up and down. One Malay group of 5 people, a Chinese group of 3 people and one mixed group (Malays and Chinese). As compared to the west side, there were a lot of people. Easily there could be around 40 people there today.

We completed the trail with the last one being the 4 storey high rock face assisted by ropes. It took us around 2 hours to complete it.

The guys in the Malay group were all carrying their DSLR Nikon cameras and they were busy snapping pictures. Didn't get to ask them how many time they have been to Bukit Tabur. One of the guys told me that he just got back from Rinjani on his solo trip (respect you lah!). And it reminded me at the same time that I must get my DSLR too. Insyaallah, I'd buy my D60 soon.

On the way down, we met the Chinese group and it's their first time in Bukit Tabur and we had a good chat. We promised to contact each other again and a guy named Albert said he'd invite me to Kuang. He'd normally go there with Orang Asli as guides.

Look forward to joining them there.

Next week: A retreat to Broga Hill.

MUSINGS

Other than Gunung Datuk on January 9, next year, I don't have any hiking activities planned as yet.

For Gunung Datuk, I am inviting my colleagues to come long. And so far, the response has been good. The regulars are excited and they have already said 'yes' to it.

I like it going out with my colleagues as the adventure doesn't end there at the mountain. There'd be follow-ups with pictures being uploaded in office for all to see and there'd be post mortems too. And one thing for sure there'd be complaints of body ache.

I am excited as it's going to be our first hiking trip for the year. And I have got a list of mountains to conquer this year, either to go for the first time or to revisit.

Anyway, hiking is really a weekend exercise for me these days and I never got enough of going to the same place again and again. Do I get tired of going to the gym, three times a week? No! It's boring, same routines, same venue, same music (at times) and I am always alone. But then, I can't be wrong when I say I am doing this for my heart! I can't live without taking good care of it!

Five Friends Who Lost Their Way In Bukit Tabur Rescued

December 19, 2009 23:19 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- Five friends, including three women, who lost their way for almost five hours while trekking in Bukit Tabur, Taman Melawati here were found safe on Saturday evening.

Chai Choon Yan, 25, Phua Shir Leng, 25, Chan Pooy Yee, 25, Yap Kian Fatt, 24 and Yap Aik Keong, 24, were found by a rescue team at about 6pm.

Civil Defence Department operating officer Second Lieutenant Sharul Kamar Mohd Johari said the victims who started trekking in the jungle via the Klang Gate Dam at 9am, lost their way due to thick fog and heavy rain.

"They entered the jungle without notifying the nearest police station. We only knew that they were lost after receiving a distress call at 2.40pm," he told reporters here.

He said, Aik Keong was found with a cramp, while the others only suffered from fatigue.

The search was mounted by a 30-member team including the department's personnel, police and Kuala Lumpur City Hall.

-- BERNAMA

Sabah's first and only Guinness record

Published on: Wednesday, December 16, 2009, Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: Sabah earned its first spot in the Guinness World Records through the via ferrata ('iron road' in Italian) built on Mt Kinabalu at 3,776 metres above sea level, which has been certified as the world's highest via ferrata.

The achievement, made by the via ferrata developer, Mountain Torq Sdn Bhd, is also Malaysia's 38th Guinness World Records certification.

A copy of the certification was officially presented by Mountain Torq's founder and executive director, Wilfred Tok, to Sabah Parks Deputy Director, Dr Jamili Nair, witnessed by Sabah Tourism Chairman, Tengku Datuk Dr Zainal Adlin, in a ceremony at the @atmosphere restaurant, Tuesday.

Mountain Torq's via ferrata is a route built using a series of steel rungs, rails and cables embedded into Mt Kinabalu's Panar Laban rock face.

This via ferrata was established in 2007 for climbers and hikers to experience a route that had previously been accessible only to veteran rock climbers and mountaineers with specialised equipment.

The via ferrata, which starts at 3,411 metres above sea level and reaches the highest point of 3,776 metres above sea level, 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 offered by Mt Kinabalu.

"This is an honour and privilege to be recognised by the global authority on world records. Since the inception of Mountain Torq, our team has been working hard to create a way for people to experience adventure differently on the beautiful and mysterious Mt Kinabalu," says Tok.

"Our via ferrata and mountaineering activities are based on internationally recognised service standards. We are also deeply appreciative to Sabah Tourism Board for their kind support and active promotional drive across Asia," he said.

He said they plan to build on this certification and create more exciting adventures on Mt Kinabalu. Mountain Torq began operations on Dec. 15, 2007 and since its inception some 5,000 people have completed the route.

The youngest climber was an eight-year-old girl from Kuala Lumpur who climbed with her mother while the oldest a 69-year-old Briton. There are more than 300 via ferrata routes worldwide, predominantly in Italy, Germany, and France, among others.

"The Guinness World Records 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, Wuek I-Gek.

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

Mountain Torq's via ferrata on Mt Kinabalu fits well with an adventure destination with few equals and Sabah Tourism's philosophy to shine among the best as being epitomised by the globally unique highest via ferrata in the world and the first in Asia, says Adlin in congratulating Mountain Torq for the achievement.

"This recognition will be a value add both with respect to conservation efforts and tourism attraction at Kinabalu Park, Malaysia's first World Heritage Site," said Dr Jamili, adding Sabah Parks believes it will boost the attention and appreciation for outdoor lovers throughout the world.

Mountain Torq operates two via ferrata routes - namely the Low's Peak Circuit which is for seasoned climbers and the Walk The Torq that is designed for novice climbers and family groups with members aged 10 and above.

AIR HITAM FOREST RESERVE IS NOW CLOSED TO PUBLIC

I received an email from a friend informing me that the Forest Reserve is now closed to public. Apparently there is a notice at the entrance from Jabatan Perhutanan Selangor prohibiting people from entering. If trespassers are found entering the area, they can be prosecuted and fined up to RM10,000 or one year imprisonment.

Alamak! There it goes my hiking place, the one that is close to home! I have been there twice so far and was beginning to like it as a weekend hiking getaway!

Personally, I feel it should be open to public. I know for a fact that it's a research centre for a University. However, it's more beneficial if it's shared with the community, just like Bukit Gasing where it has become educational recreational centre that is open to the public. The University can do their research out of the trails so that whatever that they are doing will not be disturbed. Or better still if they do their reserach somewhere else in the real jungle. Natural resources like this should be shared with the public!

Business As Usual

I'm back into blogging after a short hiatus for a few weeks. I had also changed my tag line to Diary of Small Hiker, if you haven't noticed it already!

I have also disabled the comments. If anybody would like to write to me, please email instead!

Anyway, I don't have much to write these days as there isn't any exciting hiking activity that I have been to lately. I am still doing my hiking activity over the weekend, it's all around KL area only. Last week I was at Bukit Tabur and Air Hitam Forest Reserve. And no picture to share too as I have no camera now.