Eight of us arrived in 2 cars at Hutan Lipur Gunung Nuang (elevation 181m) at 6.45 a.m. after 45 minutes drive from Petronas Station, opposite Cheras Phoenix Plaza. Five of us begun our walk at 7 a.m. and the rest waited for 3 more hikers. The walk along the undulating laterite road, which has been resurfaced, was pleasant but rather uneventful. We arrived at the first pondok near Sg Lolo at 8.10 a.m. After several river crossings and a short rest at the water pump shed, we reached the Lolo Camp (elevation: 573m) at about 9 a.m. From here, it was another 1½ hr moderate ascent up the badly eroded clayey slope to Pacat Camp (elevation: 1,045m).
After a good 30 minutes rest and having re-energised ourselves, six of us forming the second group decided to push for the summit at 11 a.m. The first group comprising 5 hikers had already left for the Peak between 10.30 a.m. to 10.45 a.m.
From Pacat Camp, there was another 30 minutes of steep ascent along the muddy trail criss-crossed with roots before we came to the near vertical trail section. Here, we had to go on fours. Fortunately, there were adequate exposed roots and tree trunks to haul ourselves up as our tired leg muscles started to fail us. We reached Puncak Pengasih or false peak (elevation: 1,400m) at 12.25 p.m. where we took a left turn as indicated by the signboard to Gunung Nuang summit. Hereon, the trail wound downhill for about 20 minutes before ascending again. The downhill trail was rocky and slippery due to the green moss. Nearer the summit, the trail split into 2 paths which later converged at the summit. We hit the summit (elevation: 1,493m) at 1 p.m., about 2 hours ascent from Pacat Camp.
The weather at the Peak was cloudy and cool at 23ºC and views from the Peak were limited by the fog.
We left peak at 2 p.m. and reached Pacat Camp at 3.20 p.m. and Lolo Camp at 4.15 p.m. It took us another 1 hour 40 minutes from Lolo Camp (5 p.m.) to reach the base at 6.40 p.m. The return trip was extra difficult because of the slippery terrain caused by the afternoon rain.
I would classify this day hike to Gunung Nuang Summit totally 12 hours as torturous.
For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/2988.
Congratulations! You really have stamina..:-)
ReplyDeleteCan we drive up the hill to base camp now?
ReplyDeletecongrates ~~~
ReplyDeleteSP always has the cleanest shoes, salute her ~~~~~ ~~~~
ReplyDeleteYou have to speak to the Nuang Ranger, Encik Mohd Amran (HP: 017 2767724) for permission to drive up to Lolo Camp. Alternatively, you can seek written permission from the Selangor Forestry Department. I hope some enterprising fellows can work together with Forestry Dept to provide shuttle service in the form of Quad Bikes (with wide tyres) which are less damaging to the laterite road apparently. Though the road has been resurfaced but it is not solid enough to withstand heavy vehicle traffic... my opinion.
ReplyDeleteU are right...how do you know?
ReplyDeleteCongratulation everyone! Let's do that again!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Actually, I wanted to make a U-turn at Pacat Camp as I was quite tired. I must record my thanks to my fellow trekker Su Lung who motivated the second group to push for the summit. Glad to have listened to her... maybe too tired to argue then. She was also the car driver and we needed her transport home too. Ha! Ha! Ha! In the final analysis, the summit was just too attempting...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nicole.
ReplyDeleteIt's a White-browed Shrike Babbler
ReplyDeleteChecked the internet. U are right... it is a White-browed Shrike-Babbler (Pteruthius flaviscapis).
ReplyDeleteThank you for the Bird ID.
Though it is crazy to do a day trip again... but now that all the aches have gone... Why not? :-)
ReplyDeleteEh. TBS, u change you mind very fast. That day I heard u said once is enough. Going again???
ReplyDeleteTBS, send me this photo (full pix)
ReplyDeletesend me this photo
ReplyDeletesend me this photo
ReplyDeletesend this photo also
ReplyDeleteOh! That is a standard hiker's reply/comment (i.e. once is enough) when too tired after the trek.. :-D Overall, I enjoyed the hike very much and don't mind attempting again though I still think it is a bit crazy to do a day trip.
ReplyDeleteIs that Tina -- the one in blue?
ReplyDeleteThis is the same tin pyramid I encountered in G. Hijau, Taiping.
ReplyDeleteWhat type of shoes to buy for this type of climb ? Is the old green jungle boot used by the army OK ?
ReplyDeleteThis is the same tin pyramid I encountered in G. Hijau, Taiping. Any reason ?
ReplyDeleteYes, Christina aka Tina, Linda's sister.
ReplyDeleteI suppose this type of tin pyramid signifies the summit and are normally found on peaks in Malaysia.
ReplyDeleteThough I am wearing a Hi-Tec shoes, I think the standard Kampung Adidas (about RM5) can do a good job for this type of terrain which is normally wet and slippery. Just buy a size bigger so that you can wear double socks and also insert a good rubber sole for extra cushioning. I have seen trekkers wearing green army boots and I thought they were rather cool. Since they are army boots, I am of the opinion that they should be cut to suit the Malaysian terrain.
ReplyDeleteEh? Pei See didn't go? Not in the photo wan... or was she holding the camera?
ReplyDeletePei See was no where in sight throughout the trek. Mun Fey is the best person to reply :-D
ReplyDeleteYes, she had been out of commission for a while and will report back to the line soon enough. Expected recommissioning date is coming weekend or next. She was assigned to carry out treacherous works of attending weddings and dinners. You know... let's kill some liver!
ReplyDeleteP/S: She couldn't wait to get back out there in the green. Where's our next destination? Missed HY so much, last time i saw him was not jungle trekking but Megamall strolling.
ReplyDelete