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 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.

Broga Hills 6 Jul 08

This is my second trip. The first trip was on 16 March 2008. See link at http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2008/03/broga-hills-1632008_17.html.

We gathered at the Cheras Petronas Station, opposite Plaza Pheonix at 5.45 a.m. and made our way to Broga Hills using the Lebuhraya Kajang-Seremban (LEKAS) which cuts through Semenyih. Toll charges amounted to 50 sen at Batu 9 and 90 sen at Batu 11. It took us about 20 minutes to reach Nottingham University Entrance and then another 5 minutes to the access road to the trail head. The access road is located directly opposite a Rabbit Farm along the 1km milestone to Broga from Semenyih. For the roadmap please refer to:

Following a group of Kajang trekkers (who trek every Sunday @ 6.30 a.m.), we trekked about 5 minutes along the laterite road of the oil palm plantation, before we took a right turning into a rubber plantation. From here to the hilltop, we had to take a couple of turnings through the rubber plantation as well as crossing 2 streams and climbing up 2 steep gradients before ending at an open clearing at the highest hilltop. No visible man made markers can be found along the trail and one could easily get lost here without guidance.

Once at the hilltop, we merely followed the clearly visible path that cuts through the tall lalang downhill. Nearer towards the lowland, the highly eroded trail edges along several deep gullies before emerging into an open clearing planted with lemon grass (daun limau perut). From here, we followed the laterite road out towards Broga-Semenyih road. We completed the trek at about 9.30 a.m.

Generally, the trek could be graded as easy and the views from the hill tops were nothing less than fantastic.

Tip: The trail is quite slippery at several sections (with only lalang to hold onto) and a walking stick will be useful. Round trip by road from DU about 110 km.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/3097.

Gunung Nuang Peak 25 May 2008

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.