Leaving PJ at about 7 a.m, our van took a slow winding drive to Gap, the gateway to Fraser’s Hill. We reached Gap at 9 a.m. in time for the uphill traffic. The journey from Gap to the head trail took only 30 minutes.
Compared to my last Pine Tree Hill Trek in 2006 (see http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2006/10/pine-tree-hill-2006_29.html), a lot of improvements could be seen. The entrance to the head trail of the Pine Tree Hill (PTH) has been spurned up with new bill boards and there were mileage signage as well as 4 huts enroute to the PTH’s summit. Furthermore, the trail was much clearer and not wild with undergrowth. Concrete and wooden steps together with balustrade have also been constructed throughout the major portion of the undulating trail.
Starting at 9.30 a.m. at an elevation of 1,385 m asl, we took about 3 hours to hit the PTH peak standing at 1,530m asl at 12.30 a.m. The distance covered was 5.5 km. The trail was slippery due to the wet weather. There was a fair number of clambering over and ducking under fallen tree trunks. Of course, the most challenging part was the vertical climb of over 20 meters near PTH peak. The view from PTH was vapid and limited by the shifting mist.
We had a good rest and refreshment before leaving for the Twin Peak (TP) at 1.30 a.m. The trail to TP was soft and muddy. It took us 30 minutes to hit TP which was only 1,510m asl. TP offered a better 360 degree panoramic view. We spent about 15 minutes and quickly retraced our path home given the overcast sky. We reached the base at 5.30 p.m.
Overall, it was a good energetic trek in the pleasant company of Yeoh, Ong, Ben, Muru, Kanchana, Paul, Aniza, Tracy and Teoh.
For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/9316.
something like Irau?
ReplyDeleteU should have come along. Pine Tree Hill is not like Irau. Maybe the section from Pine Tree Peak to Twin Peak, about 30 minutes trek, resembles a bit of Irau, say 10% only. I would say it is a typical jungle trail which is very damp and leafy. Funny, hardly any leeches - only one trekker reported being bitten by a small leech.
ReplyDeleteSomeone reported as seeing a panther there once!
ReplyDeleteIn my previous trek in 2006, I came across a paw print on the soft mud on the way back. It was late afternoon and mist was settling in. My daughter has gone far ahead alone and I was behind with 2 struggling teenagers. The obvious thing I did was to stay cool and keep shouting at the kids to move faster saying that it was getting late and to make a lot of noise by hitting the trees and bushes with my trekking pole. Everything turned out fine. Well! The paw print was still fresh in my mind. But I took a calculated risk that all the wild animals would have been driven away since the trail had been cleared and promoted by the local authorities. Nevertheless, I insisted on not being left alone on the trail. Thank you Muru, Yeoh & Ong, now you know why I wanted someone within sight for this trail :-D
ReplyDelete