My second trip to Gunung Angsi, Ulu Bendol this month was a success. There were 18 of us, my colleagues and friends and their relatives and friends too.
My colleagues were very sporting even though I fooled them into believing that the hiking would take 4 hours only. Of course, it takes at least 6 hours for the average fit guys like me to complete the trip. Been there twice and I have never done it in less than 6 hours including the rest time at the summit. Of course, for some super fit guys, it'd take less than 4 hours!
There were first timers in the group and I give my big salute to them. It took them 8 hours to complete it. We started at 9am and reached the base at 5pm. Being the sweeper in the group, I was with the last group all the way through. My mission was to ensure that everybody reached the summit and got back to the base safe and sound!
Alhamdulillah, everything went well. What started as miscommunication problem at the beginning ended pretty well. A car was left waiting for us at Seremban R&R even though we had left much earlier. When they called to check on us, we had already exited the highway and paid the toll fee. And upon reaching Ulu Bendol area, we had to do another stop and waited for another car to arrive. They were there much earlier but didn't notice our 6 cars passing them.
I must thank one individual, John Syarif for his helping hands, ever ready to help around. A person who has a big heart for people, a super fit guy who is mixing well his passion for outdoor activities and study. He helped a lot to ensure the success of the trip. The most challenging trail was at Phase 4A when we had to climb a very steep clay slope, it was about one storey high. John was there helping out, giving tips and of course being the official photographer for that trail!
For me, it wasn't as tiring as the last trip to the same mountain as I was really taking it slow and helping out the slow group. Had a god chat with my colleague on the way up, mostly on office gossips and office related issues. All in all, I am glad as I didn't have any body ache at all. No tightness of muscles!
When we got back to the base, grilled chicken, lamb and sausages were already cooked waiting for our hungry tummy to savour on them. And there was nasi lemak too, there it goes the calorie that was burned during the climb. I will talk about calorie burned during hiking the next time around.
In the meantime, I had already planned my hiking trips for the month of March with the exception of March 13 as I am planning to go for holiday in Genting with my family. At the same time, March will be a busy month for me at the office. I may end up with two hiking trips only in March.
Not to forget, Gunung Rajah is also in the pipeline, may be in mid-April!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
GUNUNG ANGSI - FEB 27
Friday, February 26, 2010
BACKPACK - OSPREY
بِسْــــــــــــــــــــــمِ اﷲِارَّحْمَنِ ارَّحِي
Last week, I accompanied a friend to Low Yatt and I also needed to go to Berjaya Times Square to collect my electronic equipment that I sent for repair from Sony.
Next to Sony Centre, there is a TearProof outlet and they were having their last day of Sale. After browsing through the products and confirming with a friend, I decided to buy a hiking backpack. It's Osprey's Kestrel 48. Should be sufficient for 6 days of hiking to Gunung Tahan!
I was thinking about buying Deuter, a German brand, but then too many of them around already. And Osprey is a quality brand from US.
It was the last day of Sale and I grabbed it at 25% discount. After discount, I had to pocket out RM463 and I hope it was a good decision. I need a good hiking back for my planned overnight trips. Of which, I'll start with G Nuang on Mar 20.
Below is write-up from their website on the product:
This is the ultimate "go anywhere, do anything" overnight pack. Use it for everything from a multi-day desert jaunt to an overnight hut trip. Two torso sizes and an adjustable harness provide custom fit. Our Airscape backpanel and a peripheral steel spring rod frame provide superb comfort.
•Unique Stow-On-The-Go™ trekking pole attachment
•Stretch lycra mesh front and side pockets
•Integrated raincover
•Hydration compatible
•Front daisies with bungee tie offsNext item on the must buy list is tent. Bonus is in, not much though. But still, it's extra money to spend.... Hopefully, wisely.
Monday, February 22, 2010
GUNUNG ANGSI - FEB 21
Gunung Angsi has got some similarities with Gunung Nuang where we need to hike along a never ending road to go to the start line. The climb for Gunung Angsi will only begin after we have hiked for about 1.5 hours and crossed the same stream twice.
When the real fun began, we already consumed almost half of our 1.25 liters of bottled water. Based on this, 2 liters of water would be advisable for Gunung Angsi.
Gunung Angsi is rather hot, hot at the peak and hot at some trails! There is hardly any shade at the peak! If hikers were to begin climbing at 8am, they would only reach the peak 3 hours later at 11am. The sun was already scorching hot at hour.
Yup, it took us almost 3 hours to reach the peak! When we came down, some of us ran. I did that too, for a few minutes and decided later on to go slow. I really don't want to put so much pressure to my weak knees. Ahh! Old age is catching up!
We completed the journey almost 7 hours later. In our case, we stopped over to have a dip in the cold water of the stream and had some fish doctor to bite on my dead skin. It's very relaxing!
It was a good and tiring trip and I enjoyed it. Again, Gunung Angsi is really nothing on the summit, it's all about the journey to get there. As the old adage goes "It's not the destination that matters, it's the journey!"
Enjoy the pictures!
Fish Spa!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
GUNUNG TAHAN
بِسْــــــــــــــــــــــمِ اﷲِارَّحْمَنِ ارَّحِي
It is not a difficult decision to make. Being the tallest mountain in Peninsula Malaysia, Gunung Tahan looks more appealing!
Last year after I climbed Mount Kinabalu. I was wondering what else I'd do this year and Gunung Tahan was never in the picture. To me, it's a very difficult and challenging mountain and the fact that I have to camp for 4 or 5 days in a row didn't appeal to me. However, I always keep my options open and when there were hiking trips planned by Facebook's Hiking Networking Group to Gunung Yong Yap and Gunung Ulu Sepat, without much hesitation, I confirmed my participation!
First thing that came to my mind after confirming the trips was I needed to to buy tent and good hiking backpack (50 liter?). I have never done any hiking trip that requires camping, let alone for more than 2 nights! So, I don't have such backpack and tent! I always use my day backpack all the while!
I'll buy both tent and backpack soon and hopefully I'd have everything by early March.
Other than preparing for the equipment, I also need to prepare physically and mentally! So, it's time now to plan for the tough day hiking trip like Gunung Nuang and Gunung Ledang! For Nuang, may be I'll camp overnight at Kem Lolo!
It's going to be mentally challenging as I'll be away from civilisation for 4 nights! I just want to picture in my mind the facts that I enjoy the activities, I'll be busy taking pictures, enjoying the flora and fauna, putting my tent and dismantling it the next day, preparing the meals and not to forget doing my 'big business' in the jungle!
I am really excited about the whole thing and the fact that I'll cover 2 of G7s this year, and may be 4, who knows? Upon completion of G7s, may be I'll do what a friend did on his graduation day, 'berguling-guling' on top of the mountain!
Yup, G7s here I come!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
GUNUNG TAHAN VS. GUNUNG ULU SEPAT
بِسْــــــــــــــــــــــمِ اﷲِارَّحْمَنِ ارَّحِي
I'd have to make the decision whether to climb Gunung Tahan or Gunung Ulu Sepat soon. I confirmed much earlier that I'd be joining a hiking trip to Gunung Ulu Sepat scheduled from May 27 - June 1. The trip was arranged by a member of Malaysian Outdoor Trekking Hiking Scuba (MOTHS), a networking group in Facebook.
Later on, I saw another trip scheduled for Gunung Tahan on June 4. Since it's in June, I also confirmed joining the trip without realising it's taking place immediately after Ulu Sepat.
Wow, that's quite a stretch! And I don't think I can go for both. The reasons being, it's going to be a long break from the office, I don't think I can do that. And another reason is I'd need a break after coming down from Ulu Sepat. A break of 3 days is too short for me!
A decision will have to made soon!
Monday, February 8, 2010
BUKIT TABUR - WEST SIDE
بِسْــــــــــــــــــــــمِ اﷲِارَّحْمَنِ ارَّحِي
My first Bukit Tabur trip with my colleagues this year ended up with only one colleague and 4 other friends including 3 Japanese guys.It was meant for guys only as I refused to be responsible for the ladies. After Peak 9, Bukit Tabur offers some difficult challenges where we'd have to do rock climbing. There were people who turned back at this level as it's too challenging to them. The pictures below can't reflect the real challenges up there for us but they can give some ideas! I had to to keep the camera in my backpack when the trail became very steep, hence not much pictures too!
One of the hikers (not in my team) going up the steep trail. One of the easier rock climbing challenges.
The above picture was taken right after Peak 9. My first two trips there, I didn't dare to scale up the slope as it was too steep for me and at the same time, I didn't have the experience as yet. After a while, I felt challenged by it as I noticed other people could just do it with ease! Once I managed to get it done, there was turning back and I enjoyed the West Side because of the rock climbing.
Loofah gourd - this was taken on the way down, upon reaching the first occupied house on the hill.
While waiting for the rest to reach the finish line, I took the above picture. It could be better! And I still don't know how to make the full use of the camera that I just bought.
