Gunung Irau 30 May 2009

Our original plan to start the Irau trek at 8.45 a.m. was dashed following strong winds and rain early that Saturday morning. It was approaching 8.30 a.m. when we decided to proceed with the trek notwithstanding the slight drizzle. Leaving the MNS-Boh Field Study Centre at about 8.45 a.m, we arrived at the Irau trailhead located on Gunung Brinchang at 10.25 a.m.

There were ample parking area and the place appeared to have a recent make-over. A flight of steps leads from the car park area (1953m asl) to an elevated walkway (of wooden and metal construct) which snaked along the mountain contours. Two gazebos have been erected along the walkway for visitors to rest and enjoy themselves.

It took us about 5 minutes to complete the walkway which appeared to have cut short the original trek time substantially, possibly by more than 30 minutes. Compared with the old photographs taken before the construction of the walkway, the new route has bypassed several interesting interior parts of the mossy forest. It would be good if at the end of the walkway a return trail could be looped through the mossy forest to the start of the walkway for visitors who want to enjoy a short trek.

Due to the late start, 3 of us quicken our pace and sparing little photography time, we reached the false peak (2010m asl) at about 12.10 a.m. and the summit (2110m asl) at 1.20 p.m, totalling less than 3 hours. The trek was adventurous as it resembled an obstacle race with us having to go on fours to tackle steep descents and ascents, to clamber over slippery mossy boulders, prop roots, fallen tree trunks as well as branches and to navigate around deep soggy grounds. That morning rain was a blessing for it provided us a cool weather and clear scenery from the false peak and summit.

For the return trip, we took a more leisurely stroll and more photographs since time was on our side. Starting at 2 p.m. we took slightly more than 3 hours to return to base at around 5.15 p.m.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/5891.

The pictures of the previous trips can be seen on
http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2007/12/gunung-irau-8122007_10.html and
http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2006/10/gunung-irau-expedition-2006.html.

Gunung Angsi 24 May 2009

My last G Angsi trek via Bukit Putus on 21 March 2009 (http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2009/03/gunung-angsi-21-march-2009_22.html) was a wet affair. This time round, the weather was surprisingly cool and breezy during our ascent to the peak. The trail was dry and easy to trek. Of course no exotic mushrooms were in sight given the dry spell. However, we were rewarded with sights of beautiful forest creatures such as a giant millipede, a viper, a spiky caterpillar, a huge aphid (I think), a spiny spider, a green cicada and beautiful butterflies.

For this trip, we took the regular straight trail up to the summit via CP1 and CP2 and returned via the 2 side trails which bypass a hill and CP2. Starting at 8.35 a.m. @ 364 m a.s.l. we hit CP1 (530m a.s.l.) @ 9.20 a.m. From here, we took the straight uphill path (instead of the right trail which would go round the hill and bypass CP2) and reached CP2 (696m a.s.l.) @ 9.55 a.m. From CP2, we have to make a descent before climbing up another hill. After passing 3 Y-junctions and keeping to all the left trails, we arrived at the peak (873m a.s.l.) @ 11.25 a.m.

After a good rest and refreshment, we started our descent @ 12.30 p.m. and reached the base at 2.45 p.m. with about 15 minutes break at CP1 to savour the green pea tong sui prepared by the regular Angsi hikers.

Overall, a lovely relaxing hike.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/5773.

Kiara Green Whip Snake 21 May 2009

Ahaetulla nasuta (Green Whip Snake)

This series of photos of the Green Whip Snake was taken by the side of the Kiara tar road near the cross junction. Based on internet notes, this is a Common Whip Snake (Ahaetulla nasutus) which is quite harmless.
It`s a long and slender snake with elongated pointed snout. Its eyes are large and the irises are powdered with gold and its pupil is horizontal. It has a binocular vision. Its tongue is pale pinkish with white tip. Inside its mouth it is pale pinkish. Its tail is cylindrical and is very long. When it is exited it has a striking black and white ornamentation of oblique lines exposed on the anterior two-thirds of the body. The green whip snake is found on low bushes and scrubs in jungles and gardens and groves in populated areas. It reclines on the topmost boughs of trees and escapes notice by its cryptic coloration. It is an elegant snake with a wonderful turn of speed over foliage. It is capable of obtaining support from the minutest twig and twining stem. Though a gentle snake, when disturbed it appears to be very fierce. When exited it opens its jaws very widely and the fore body is thrown into sigmoid curves ready for striking. The snake has the habit of striking at the eyes. It feeds small mammals, birds, lizards, other snakes and frogs. On seeing a prey the fore body is freed, raised and coiled in a zigzag manner and it darts forward to catch the prey just behind the head.

The green whip snake is viviparous and the young are born free frontal. The whip snake is mildly poisonous; there will be an occasional swelling and numbness on the bitten area.


For more photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/6146.

Broga Hills 17 May 2009

This is my 4th trip to Broga Hills. The last trip was documented in http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2008/08/broga-hills-030808_7.html.

As planned, we started late at about 8.40 a.m.and took the clockwise loop. We were indeed very surprised to see more than 50 cars already parked around the access road to the trail head. Along the way, we met many people backtracking to return to the base. Broga Hills is fast turning into a popular place for weekend hikers. We can only reminisce about the peace and tranquility that we used to enjoy. On the other hand, it is good to find many people enjoying trekking.

We reached the 3rd hilltop at about 10.05 a.m. Luck was not with us again for we were unable to view the Petronas Twin Towers & KL Tower. The last time we saw the 3 towers was in July 08 - see http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2008/07/broga-hills-6-july-08_7.html.

After spending some time enjoying the countryside view, we continued our way downhill through the rubber/oil palm estates (which offered much respite from the hot sun) and reached the base at 11.25 a.m.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/5637.

Gunung Bunga Buah 2 May 2009

Five of us decided to climb G Bunga Buah with the hope of seeing less "dancing queens" given the recent dry spell. When we started the hike at 9.15 a.m. the sky was overcast. Not a good sign. But we decided to push on and hoped for the best.
It took us about 20 minutes to scale the vertical slope from the vegetable patch to the old Genting tar road and another 15 minutes to trek up the tar road to the Y-junction where we took the left turning. Starting from here, we raced through the wet/damp trail (rained the previous night?) and stopping occasionally to apply salt to"murder" the blood suckers somersaulting up our pants. We arrived at the foothill (or the actual trail head) at 10.40 a.m. and the false peak (or the granite outcrop) at 12.10 a.m. After our fill, we proceeded on and hit the peak an hour later at 1.50 p.m.

We cut our time short at the 'dirty' peak after noting "dancing queens" at the exposed peak area! Half-way downhill, the rain came and as expected we had to "battle" with the blood suckers again on the way out to the old Genting tar road.

NB: I was the only lucky one who did not bear any "battle" scars against the blood suckers.Throughout the trek I saw only one leech limping its way up my pants. However, not the same could be described for the rest of the group who received a total of 9 bites after fencing off numerous blood suckers.

The photos for the last trip can be viewed at http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/5550.