Gunung Semeru 27-30 May 2012 (Pt 2)

For Part 1 please refer to http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2012/06/gunung-semeru-27-30512-part-1_5.html.

THE CLIMB AND RETURN TREK TO RANI PANE

At 12 midnight, our guide Agus alerted us to ready ourselves for a snack and the climb. We completely geared ourselves in several layers of warm clothing as well as headlamps and a pair of walking sticks, each to begin our assault of Gunung Semeru. Starting from an elevation of 2600m, we took an hour to reach to Acopodo (2900m), a former campsite now disallowed by the authorities. The hike through the montane forest was steep but pretty manageable. We paused occasionally to gaze up the sky to admire the stars which appeared like diamonds twinkling through the thin forest foliage.
Within 15 minutes after leaving Acopodo, we approached the end of the tree line. Our guide advised us to bring out our walking sticks for balancing. Here our nightmare started. The terrain appeared so lunar and alien. Every step, we had to stab our shoe into the loose volcanic soil to minimize slippage. It was indeed very energy sapping. Luckily, we had our walking sticks as anchors to lessen sliding down the soft volcanic soil and to pull ourselves up. Whenever we chanced on a stable boulder, we took the opportunity to take a short pause in order to re-energise ourselves. After 6 hours over approximately 2.5 km, we hit the summit at 7 a.m. The last 2 hours to the summit was much easier because the slope has begun to taper off.

We rested for about 30 minutes for refreshment and the customary photography and left the cold and windy summit at 7.35 a.m. There were hardly any views from the summit due to thick mist. We also did not hear any eruptions or saw the caldera. On the way downhill and with more daylight we had a great panoramic view of Bromo, Kalimati and the surrounding area. The return journey downhill was much easier and quicker. We took about 3 hours to get back to Kalimati base camp.

We had our brunch and rested till 1.30 p.m. before we pushed forward to reach Ranu Kembolo at 4 p.m. to spend a night there. The following morning we left for Ranipane at 7.30 a.m. to arrive at the porter’s house lunch at 11.30 a.m. From here, we travelled for another 6.5 hours to Sempol Village to overnight at Catimor Homestay and to prepare for our next day Kawal Ijen hike.

For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/14643.

For the next leg of the trip, see http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2012/06/kawal-ijen-315-3612_5.html.

Gunung Semeru 27-30 May 2012 (Pt 1)

Six of us, comprising Elsie Mak, Sarah Simon, Victor Ng, Siew Ping, Christina Goh and myself, left for Java Island on 27.5.2012 for an 8-day trip to climb Gunung Semeru and Kawah Ijen as well as to explore the Bangi Caves.

In the evening of our arrival day, we were surprised to be ushered into a clinic to check our blood pressure for submission to the authority for approval of permit to climb Gunung Semeru. (3676m), the highest mountain in Java Island. Needless to say, a few of us busted the acceptable limits based on the first reading possibly due to anxiety and tiredness. However, our Guide Agus later assured us that it was only a formality. That evening we had dinner and retired early at Rani Guesthouse, Tumpang, Malang.

TREK FROM RANIPANE TO KALIMATI BASE CAMP

The following morning we left at 7 a.m. in a small 4wd for Ranupani, the gateway to the head trail for the Gunung Semeru hike. The journey over rough laterite road took about 1.5 hours. After the customary registration with the Balai TNBTS, we proceeded with our hike at 9 a.m. Our destination for the day was the Kalimati basecamp (2700m). Starting from an elevation of 2200m, the trail winded gently through idyllic countryside, lovely montane and cloud forest as well as grassy savannah and enchanting woodland before ending Kalimati base camp at 2600m. We stopped enroute at crater lake called Rani Kembolo (2400m), to have lunch. The cool and dry weather made the easy trek extra pleasant. Wild flowers were also blooming along the trail and it was a wonderful sight. Certain sections of the trail were overgrown with grass and blocked by fallen trees and low lying branches. We were told that the authorities would clean up the trail once a year in June before the start of the trekking season.

On arrival at the camp at 4.50 p.m. we had early dinner. We were advised to sleep immediately to wake up at 12 midnight to prepare for the hike up Gunung Semeru. Despite the long trekking hours, none of us could sleep a wink that evening due to inconsiderate noisy hikers camping nearby. The night was also very cold.

For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/14517.

For Part 2, please refer to http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2012/06/gunung-semeru-27-30512-part-2_5.html

Gunung Ledang 6 May 2012

My last hike to Gunung Ledang was 5 years ago on 24.2.2007 (see http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2007/02/gunung-ledang-2422007-to-2522007_26.html) via Ayer Panas Trail from Gunung Ledang Resort. This trail, which has since been closed, passes through Kolam Gajah (CP4) before joining up with the Lagenda trail from Taman Hutan Lagenda (THL).

Our group (A) comprising 10 pax (including the driver) left Petaling Jaya at 5.15 a.m. and it was 7.30 a.m. by the time we reached Tangkak to have our breakfast before departing for THL at 8 a.m. We arrived within 15 minutes and immediately proceeded to complete our registration and to make the requisite payment of RM39 pax (Entry fee: RM5, Hiking fee RM10, Insurance: RM2 pax and Guide fee RM220/10 pax). Registration was pretty fast as our group had earlier submitted our names and particulars via email to THL. Next, we individually had to declared all ‘our assets’ following us up to Gunung Ledang Peak. ‘Assets’ declared by me included shoes (2), socks (2), pants (1), shirt (1), towel (1), cap (1), raincoat (1), camera (1), head lamp (1), batteries (4), backpack (1), plastic containers (3) and plastic bottles (2). It would save valuable time if THL could avail this form for downloading and completion by individual climber for submission upon arrival.

After the formality of taking pre-trek group photograph, at 8.35
a.m. we headed for the concrete steps leading to CP1 (aka Bukit Semput) which we took 20 minutes. It started to drizzle when we approaching CP2 (Bukit Orkid) 20 minutes later. Our guide Fakrul advised us that the weather at the summit and base could be as different as day and night and suggested that we reviewed our decision to proceed with the hike or not at CP3 (Laluan Kijang) and CP5 (Sg Segi Tiga). After CP5, there would be no turning back. We put on our rain coats and proceeded accordingly. However two members decided to make a U-turn to base. We took 35 minutes and 65 minutes to hit CP3 and CP5 respectively. So far the ascent was gentle to moderate and like any typical rainforest there were many fallen trees strewn across the pathway. Along the way, we bypassed gargantuan boulders signifying more rocky terrain ahead. We skipped CP4 (Kolam Gajah) which is a detour.

At CP5, the second group (B) comprising 9 energetic youngsters caught up with us. By then, the rain had stopped. We decided to group together with Guide Fakrul leading the way and the second Guide as the sweeper.

The real adventure and fun started from CP5 all the way to the summit (CP8). We have to pass through KFC (Killer for Climbers), Gua Kambing (CP6), Batu Hampar, Bonsai Garden and Botak Hill (CP7) using a series of ropes (not snakes) and ladders to scale up the rocky terrain. It took us 2.5 hours to complete this obstacle climb, reaching the summit at 1.30 p.m.

There was hardly any view at the summit as it was too misty. After our lunch refreshment and photography session, we started to make our downhill trek at 2 p.m. using the Pendita Trail. This trail bypassed KFC, Gua Kambing, Batu Hampar, Bonsai Garden and Botak Hill and rejoined the main trail somewhere in between CP5 and CP3. This Pendita trail is simply beautiful with stunted trees, including pitcher plants, and the spongy ground was nice to trek. This is a shorter trail and easier to trek involving minimal scrambling up/down ladders or ropes. Our return trek took 3.15 hours.

Overall, the weather was cloudy and pleasant to trek. Photography was limited due to poor lighting in the jungle and mist at the summit.

Trekking buddies from Group A included Paul & wife, Wun Nok, Colin, Chew Poh Lian, Christina Goh, Sarah Simon, Victor Ng and Ben Siah.

For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/13309.

Sg Chilling 1 May 2012

My last trip to Sg Chilling was about 2 months ago on 26.2.2012 (see http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2012/02/sg-chilling-2622012_28.html). I could not hesitate to say no on receiving an invitation to join a group for this trip because I simply love the relaxing trek to the Sg Chilling waterfalls.

Trekking buddies included Elsie, Victor, Yeoh, Ong, Wun Nok & his 2 Pang friends as well as the Angsi Trekkers, namely, David Lim, Shampoo, Chi and Chong.

We all met up in front of the Rawang Food Court called “Try To Eat” at 8 a.m. before departing to Keng Lim Restaurant in Rasa town to have our morning breakfast.

It was about 10 a.m. when we started our trek. It took us 1.5 hours to reach our target 4th waterfall @ 640m asl. We practically had the whole place to ourselves to relax and to enjoy our meal. At 1 p.m. we started our return trek with stopovers at the 2nd, 3rd and 1st waterfalls. It was 3.30 p.m. when we finally exited Sg Chilling Fish Sanctuary. We stopped by Keng Lim again to have hi-tea enroute home. The journey home was painfully long due to slow traffic caused by the heavy downpour after Rawang town.

For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/13307.

Tabur West 29 Apr 2012

My last climb was more than a year ago on 27.2.2011 http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/02/bukit-tabur-barat-2722011_27.html.

This time we started late about 8.15 a.m. and the weather was hot & humid with a slight breeze. The views of the surrounding areas along the ridge were good.
One notable difference was metal hand rails were bolted onto the rock surface to assist climbers to negotiate precarious sections of the hills.

We took about 2 1/2 hours to complete the ridge trek. After resting for half an hour, we started to descend at 11.30 a.m. from 630m elevation via the orchard trail and arrived at the base at 12.30 p.m.

Overall, it was a good vigorous exercise for the weekend. Trekking buddies included Elsie, Christina, Wun Nok, David Lim and Chew Poh Lian.

For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/13305.

Gunung Angsi 15 Apr 2012

This would be my twelfth Angsi trek. The last trek was on 16.7.2011 (see http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/07/gunung-angsi-1672011.html).

We started late at 10.45 a.m. and took a leisurely trek to the summit with lots of photography breaks along the trail. From Panjang site, we took the original trail via Pang’s site to the summit and returned via the Panjang trail.

The weather was good that day with slight breeze. Unfortunately, it was not a season for mushroom for the trail was quite dry. We took time to touch base with members of the Angsi trekkers also.

Trekking buddies included: Elsie, Lai Cheng, Victor, Cheah Seiw Khoon, Christina Goh, Christina Cheah, Chew Poh Lian, Lim and David Lim.


For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/13303.

Gunung Peninjau 8 Apr 2012

To avoid the long journey from Petaling Jaya, my group of 4 members decide to spend a night at Grand Kampar Hotel on Saturday night (7 April 2012) to prepare for the following day ascent of Gunung Peninjau (1112m asl).


We regrouped with the rest of 21 trekking kakis at Gopeng Toll rest area before making our way to Kampung Ulu Chepor, the base for climbing Gunung Peninjau. Starting at 8.50 a.m., the first 0.5 hour was an easy gentle walk along paved and rocky pathway which winded alongside Sungei Chemor. The riverside views of cascading waters were simply pleasing. After the wide stream, the mountain path ascended abruptly and steeply. We have to clamber and scramble our way up most of the time. We have to use our hands to grip and hold on to available tree trunks and branches to heave ourselves upward. The slope was wet and slippery from rain the day before. The trail was wild and rugged with fallen tree trunks and prickly vines. The steep climb continued for the next 1.5 hours till we hit the campsite called HUT Everest. Later, we find out that that was not the original trail to the campsite.

From the campsite, the path appeared more defined and trodden but it was still a steep uphill for the next 2 hours till the summit. The strong trekkers were able to make it to the summit within 3.5 hours. Sited on the small summit area was a trigonometrical station. The view from the summit was limited to Chemor town.

The last of us left the summit at 1.30 p.m. and made to the base at 4.30 p.m.

This was certainly a tough trek owing to the slippery and steep terrain. Fortunately, the weather was kind (it did not rain despite the thunderous sound roaring in the background) and all of us managed to complete the trek with limited injuries from sliding falls and prickly vines.

Wonderful trekking buddies included Elsie, Christina and Victor together with 21 others.

For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/13301.