Gunung Datuk 4 Aug 2012

I have been climbing Gunung Datuk since 2007 and this will mark my 6th trip. My last trip was more than 2 years ago in June 2010 (http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2010/06/gunung-datuk-1362010.html).

We left PJ at 6.30 a.m. and reached Seremban at about 7.30 a.m. to have our breakfast as well as to pack our lunch. It took us another hour to reach Gunung Datuk base at 9 a.m. Developments appeared to have caught up with Rembau and there are new roads, flyover and road lightings. After passing Rembau town from Pedas toll, one needs to be alert to take a left turning on top of a flyover in order to get to Hutan Lipur Gunung Datuk. The old road has been demolished/replaced by a new flyover. The key landmark is to look out for a yellow mosque on the right side of the road and then take the left turn (diagonally opposed the yellow mosque) on the flyover (see map). We note that there were no signboards, possibly the road construction was still new.

We arrived at Gunung Datuk Base at about 9 a.m. and began trekking at 9.15 a.m. The weather was favourably cool but the trail was damp and slippery. Taking a leisurely pace, we hit the peak at about 11.10 a.m. (about 2 hours). Generally, the trail has been badly eroded with lots of exposed dangling roots. At the peak area, we noted with thumbs up for new aluminum ladders have been erected to replace the old rusty ones. After our meal, refreshment and photo taking session, we left the place at 12.30 p.m. and hit the base at 1.50 p.m.

Overall, it was a good hike with Kathy, Teo, Jenny, Nicole, Agnes Chew, Cynthia and Lim.

For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/14975.