Gunung Datuk 13 Jun 2010

My last trip to Gunung Datuk was exactly 1 year ago on 13 June 2009. Like June a year ago, the weather was extremely hot and as usual we were literally bathing in our own sweat. Nothing much has changed. This gunung remained as popular as ever. The view from the famous gigantic rock outcrop was clear and good. The trail was patched dry and easy to trek. We took about 2 hours to hit the summit and 1 1/2 hours to return to base. On the downside, the forest was less vibrant. Nevertheless, it was a good fun hike, especially with great trekking buddies Ben, Barbara, Murugiah, Kanchanna, Wai Ching, Engu, Yeoh, Ong, Christina, Randy, Ting, Nicole, Koon Kong, May and Yip.

We ended our trek with a late afternoon lunch at Restoran Happy Seng Kee. The food was good and price reasonable at RM12 pax for 5 dishes of fish, vegetables, taufoo and chicken.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/7982.

Photos of previous trips can be viewed at:
1) http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2009/06/gunung-datuk-13-june-09_14.html
2) http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2009/02/g-datuk-140209.html
3) http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2008/03/gunung-datuk-2032008_20.html
4) http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2007/03/gunung-datuk-1832007_19.html

Gunung Datuk 13 Jun 2009

As usual we left PJ at about 6.45 a.m. and exited the Pedas Toll at about 8 a.m. before reaching Gunung Datuk at 8.45 a.m. Starting at 9 a.m. we managed to hit the campsite of 703m asl at about 11 a.m. After a good rest, we made our way up the gigantic rocky outcrop to enjoy the surrounding views.

The weather was extremely hazy and there was little breeze unlike our previous trip in February 2009 (http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2009/02/g-datuk-140209.html). Furthermore, the air was hot and humid. We were literally bathing in our own sweat.This time round there was hardly any flowers and the trail appeared "lifeless" as it was parched dry. Nevertheless, it must be good day for hiking for we met more than 50 hikers along the way.

We took leave at about 1 p.m. and reached the trail head at 2.30 p.m.

Overall, it was a good "sauna trek". Our bodies felt totally cleansed of body waste through copious sweating.

NB: Permit climbing fee: RM3 pax


For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/6062.

Gunung Datuk 14 Feb 2009

We left PJ at 6.45 a.m., reached Pedas Toll at 8 a.m. and finally at the G Datuk Park at 8.45 a.m. with about 15 minutes break to buy some food along the way. There was no big crowd and there was plenty of car park area.

At 9 a.m. we started our hike at 120m asl and reached the false peak clearing at 725m asl at 11 a.m. After s short rest, we climbed up several flights of the metal ladder to the viewing point at 740m asl atop gargantuan boulders.

The weather was beautiful and we have a wonderful time sun bathing on the boulders.The trail was dry and easy to trek. It must be "Spring time" in Gunung Datuk. The trail was adorned with blooming pink and yellow inflorescence flowers.

We started to take our leave at 1 p.m. and reached the base at 2.20 p.m. where we had a short splash in a mini waterfall pool. Overall, a fun and good moderate day trek.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/5144.

Earlier trips were recorded at:
http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2008/03/gunung-datuk-2032008_20.html and
http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2007/03/gunung-datuk-1832007_19.html.