HP: Rohtang Pass to Tabo 12-15 Jun 2011 (Pt 2)

Continued from: http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/06/hp-new-delhi-to-manali-8-to-1162011part1.html

On Day 5, after an early morning and quick celebration of a member’s birthday, we departed from Manali at 7 a.m. towards the famous excursion point called Rohtang Pass (4000m asl) which is open during the summer months as the rest of the year is covered with snow. The distance from Manali to Rohtang Pass was 51 km but the journey took exceptionally long owing to heavy traffic jam starting from Marhi (34 km from Manali) onwards. We hit the Rohtang Pass at about 12.45 p.m. The road journey through tight road as well as rough and steep terrain can be described as exhilarating with precipitous cliffs, huge glaciers, deep ravines and picturesque mountain views.

Our proposed lunch stop at Gramphoo had to be deferred because the dhaba was closed. We finally had to settle for a simple dhall lunch at 3.30 p.m. at a tented Dhaba at Chhatru. It was past 4 p.m. before we continued with our journey. About an hour later, we were told that the road was impassable to vehicles due to glaciers and we were requested to disembark from our vehicles and walk to our campsite. The vehicles had to return to Manali and arrangement would be made for vehicles to be sent from the opposite direction from Kaza town.

The following day, we trekked 15 km from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. under the blazing sun to our second campsite located after Batal to wait for vehicle support from Kaza Town. Along the way, we were taught how to trek over several glacier stretches that were covering the road. Our luggage and camp equipment from our first campsite were transported by horses and mules. Our proposed plan to trek to Chandratal Lake also had to be cancelled owing to the downtime.

After a good night rest, we ‘lepak’ away our time in the morning while waiting for vehicle support from Kaza. Meanwhile, we were told that our horsemen and the mules had left early that morning for Mudh, the starting destination for the Bhapa Pass. Needless to say, we were extremely glad to see vehicles arriving at our second campsite at 1 p.m. to fetch us to Kunzum Pass (4500m asl) and thereafter to Kaza and Tabo. Stopovers included Ki Monastery, Kibber Village (located at 4200m asl is the second highest inhabitable village in the world), 1000 years old La-Lun Monastery with hanging Buddha statues as well as Dhankar Monastery.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/9869.


Next: http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/07/hp-bhapa-pass-trek-16-2062011-part-3.html

HP: New Delhi to Manali 8-11 Jun 2011 (Pt 1)

On 8 June 16 of us flew AirAsia into New Delhi to start our Himachal Pradesh (HP) Adventure organised by YonGo. After a wonderful late supper meal at Sandoz and spending a night at New Delhi Sunstar Residency Hotel, we trooped to New Delhi Railway station the next day to catch the morning train to Chandrigarh. The train journey was absolutely comfortable with meals being served on board. The 266km train ride took about 4 hrs. On arrival at Chandrigarh train station, we were packed into four 4x4 Innova vehicles to begin the next phase of our journey to Manali. The road journey of 273km took about 9 hours with several stopovers along the way. It was close to supper time when we reached Manali for dinner. Fortunately, we had a quick lunch at Singh's Chicken Resturant (ala Nandos) before hitting the road.

On the first day in Manali, we strolled up to the 500 years old Hidimba Devi Temple which is sitting atop a small hill and to Old Manali Town to visit Manu Temple. From there, we took a short-cut hike through Manali Nature Park (filled with tall Cedrus trees) to Manali Town. The pleasant walk took about 3 hours. That evening, we had a wonderful meal of the famous Manali Trout fish.

The following day, we proceeded to Solang Valley for the intrepid fellows to try out paragliding. We also did a 3 hours leisure trek from Solang Valley through two villages to Manali (13 km away) experiencing the rich village lifestyle and culture.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/9867.

Next: http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/07/hp-rohtang-pass-to-tabo-12-1562011-part2.html

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.