Gunung Irau 1 May 2011

This would be my 5th trip to Gunung Irau. The last trip was in January 2010 (http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2010/02/gunung-irau-29-31-jan-10.html).

This time we chose to stay at Tudor Home Inn at Brinchang which is closer to the head trail of Gunung Irau. We paid RM800.00 for 2 quad rooms and a double room to accommodate 10 of us for 2 nights. The cost was slightly higher owing to the public holiday on 1.5.2011.

On the day of the climb on 1.5.2011, we rose early to have noodle breakfast at a Brinchang shop at 7 a.m. and proceeded to the trail head at 7.30 a.m. About a kilometer short of the head trail, several passengers had to dismount and trek up because the van was underpowered. Fortunately, we have a friendly trekker who drove down to fetch the stranded passengers.

We started the trek at 8.30 a.m. and reached the false peak at 11.30 a.m. The trek was exceptional muddy and slippery obviously due to the recent daily rain. After a rest of 30 minutes, we left at 12 noon and hit the summit at 1.15 p.m. with photography stops along the way. This part of the trail could be considered the most scenic part of the cloud forest. We took a couple of pictures at the summit and left immediately for it had started to drizzle heavily. The return trek was quite a struggle owing to the extra boggy and slippery trail plus rain water streaming down inclines as a result of the rain. Apart from being drenched with water and mud, many of us were also bruised by the gnarled and twisted dead branches and trunks that criss-crossed the path. The last members returned to base at 7 p.m.

Our return to the hotel was also marred by the long traffic jam due to the Sunday market. Nevertheless, our able driver managed to get us back safely to hotel in extra quick time for us to clean up and have a good steam boat dinner (costing RM17 pax) before retiring dead tired for the night.

Notwithstanding the lousy weather, we managed to take some beautiful shots with the poor lighting. Also, Rhododendron has started budding and the flowering season would be just round the corner.

Trekking buddies who experienced this extra wet and long trek were Elsie, Sarah, Victor, Yeoh, Engu, Christina, Ong, Samuel, Ben and Huei May.

The following day, we had a hearty scone breakfast at Cameronian Inn (RM11.30 pax) and a scrumptious lunch at Restaurant Triple Round at Bukit Beruntung (RM16.40 pax)

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/9845.

Gunung Nuang Pacat 3 Apr 2011

It was time to revisit Kem Pacat, Gunung Nuang following the last trip which was more than a year ago on 27.6.2009 (Re: http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2009/06/g-nuang-pacat-27062009_29.html)

Six of us met at Suntex Garden to have breakfast before proceeding to Gunung Nuang Base Camp. It was about 9 a.m. when we got ready to start our trek. The first part of the trek to Kem Lolo was pleasant but uneventful except for the stream crossings which proved to be a bit challenging given the high water flow and volume. Fortunately, on hand we had 2 gentlemen who willing tread the water (with their shoes) to assist the ladies to cross the various streams without getting wet. Kudos to them again!

Kem Lolo was crowded with hikers when we got there at 10.50 a.m. After a short break to energise ourselves, we proceeded to climb up the trail to Kem Pacat at 11 a.m. Many Bat Lily flowers could be spot along the trail this time. The trail was as eroded as ever with wider trail shoulder. We took about 1.5 hours to hit Kem Pacat which was surprising kept neat and tidy.

We started our return trek at 1 p.m. following a good rest and lunch and reached the base at 4.15 p.m.

Overall, it was a great trek despite the sweltering heat with trekking buddies Elsie, Sarah, May, Victor and Terry.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/9242.

Bukit Saga Wow-Wow Waterfall 13 Mar 2011

We started our trek at about 8.40 a.m. using Trail A and hit Saga hill top rest area at about 9.40 a.m. The uphill trek was exceptional today for we saw mushrooms of many colours, shapes, sizes and textures. After a short rest, we proceeded via Trail D to Wow-Wow waterfall at 10 a.m. The trail took us downhill immediately to a R&R area and then over two 2 more hills before reaching the waterfall at 11.15 a.m. Ropes have been secured in many areas to guide trekkers through the steep undulating jungle path. The trek was rather eventful with several stream crossings, rope climbs and a tree trunk walk.

We left at 12 noon and returned via Trail C. The return trek took us about 1 hr 45 minutes to reach the base at 1.40 p.m.

The so-named Wow-Wow waterfall is the same Upper Ah Pak San Waterfall which I lasted visited on 1 July 2010 (see http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2010/07/ah-pak-san-1-july-2010.html).



Overall, it was wonderful energetic trek with trekking buddies, Choo, Yeoh, Christina and Ong.


For the photographs, please refer to  http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/9240.

Bukit Tabur West 27 Feb 2011

We started late at 8 a.m. By the time we reached the final Ridge peak, the sun was already blazing hot. With little breeze to cool our bodies and each of us must have sweated 1 litre of fluid. This sauna climb was certainly very detoxifying. The view was generally hazy.

At 11.20 a.m. we started our return trek via the orchard route and hit the base at about 12.15 p.m.

Overall, it was an energetic hike with trekking buddies Mee Hong, Barbara, Ben, Ji Yang, Melinda, Sen Lee, Sor, Yap, Wong, Chen, Siew Fan, Yoke and Colin.

NB: Compared to my last trip 2 years ago on 22.2.09 (http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2009/02/bukit-tabur-barat-22209.html), I note that the trail appeared over trekked and in need of rehabilitation. The place has also lost its vibrancy. Maybe it was the hot weather for the trees and shrubs appeared so limp. Personally, I feel that trekkers should stick to the main trail and not open up new parallel trails. This would help to preserve the already sparse hill forest.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/9770.

Gunung Angsi 13 Feb 2011

The last trip was on 10.10.10 (http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2010/10/g-angsi-10-10-10.html). Leaving PJ at about 7.30 a.m., we took slightly more than an hour to reach the trail head, now renamed as Bukit Putus Base camp.

The weather was pleasantly breezy and and the hike was pretty monotonous with the usual flora and fauna. From CP1, now known as Panjang Rest & Rescue Centre (PRRC), we took the original challenging trail over 2 hills to reach the G Angsi peak at 12 noon and later returned via the easier hillside Panjang Trail.

It was amusing to note that regular trekkers had put red lanterns and decorations at PRRC to welcome CNY. As usual, returning trekkers congregated at PRRC to savour the tongsui prepared by Chairman Koh Loh and CNY goodies sponsored by trekkers.

We returned to the base camp at about 2.45 p.m. and stopped over at Nasi Ayam Gemas for hi-tea enroute home.

Overall, it was a good workout with trekking buddies Horng Yih, Yeoh, Lai Cheng, Mee Hong, Ling Ji Yang, Wong Siew Fan, Chen Soo Kien and Yap K M.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/9238.

Broga Hills 30 Jan 2011

My last trip to Broga Hills was on 16 Sep 2010 (http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2010/09/gunung-tok-wan-broga-1692010.html)

It was a beautiful Sunday dawn when we left PJ at 6.30 a.m. and headed towards Broga Hill. Our joy was however short-lived when it started to drizzle while we were approaching Broga Hills at 7.30 a.m. Ever as adventurous, we decided to proceed with the trek notwithstanding the drizzle.

The view was super misty and the terrain was super slippery. By the time we hit the first peak, the drizzle has gave away to light rain. We then decided to abort our original plan to trek to Gunung Tok Wan but to proceed to the final Broga peak and returned via the plantation way.

We made it to the final Broga peak in good time at 8.55 a.m. After 10 minutes of refreshment, we proceeded into the jungle to find the plantation trail home. The plantation trail was obscure and covered by thick undergrowth. Obviously, this trail was no longer popular with hikers and it has been more than 2 years since we last trekked the plantation route. Fortunately, we were able to dig deep into our memory to recall several key landmarks to find our way downhill. We reached to the base safely, though very wet, at 10.25 a.m.

This wet adventurous trekking trip was shared with sporting buddies Elsie, Yeoh, Choo, Natalie, Terry, Sarah, Angie and Wendy.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/9236.

Twin Peak 15 Jan 2011

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.