Sg Chiling 11 Aug 2012

Somehow I am never tired of Sg Chiling. Sg Chiling waterfalls continue to provide the requisite tranquility for one to unwind and relax. This is my third trip for the year. The last trip was on 1 May 2012 (see http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2012/05/sg-chilling-152012_4.html).

We left PJ at 6.30 a.m. and met up with the rest of the members at Rasa Keng Lim Restaurant at 7.45 a.m. for breakfast before departing for Sg Chiling. Some of us took a long break at Kuala Kubu Bharu Dam to wait for a vehicle which had accidently missed the turning into KKB and headed towards Tanjung Malim. By the time, we all gathered at Sg Chiling for registration it was already 9.20 a.m.

At 9.25 a.m. we started our trek and reached the 4th waterfall at 11.20 a.m. Here we had early lunch and spent time relaxing by the cascading river. At 1 p.m. we started our return trek and stopped by the 2nd, 3rd and 1st waterfall for photography. Some of us took the opportunity to go for a short dip at the 3rd waterfall area.

Generally, the weather was good and the river crossings were easy due to the low water level during this dry period. Various types of monkey cups were abound along the trail whilst we only managed to spot 2 wild orchid flowers.

By the time we emerged from Sg Chiling, it was already 4.25 p.m. This trip would remain unforgettable because a member lost one Teva sandal and backtracked to look for it while another member accidently dropped and lost her handphone to the the gushing Sg Chiling river.

We had early dinner at Restoran Aik Khoon, Ulu Yam Bharu before returning safely home at 7 p.m.

Trekking buddies included Kathy Choy, Teo Kim Boon, Yeoh Seng Keat, Ong Chien Kiat, Jenny Lee, Agnes Chew, Cynthia Lim & hubby, Beh Soo Hia & Sin Su Tan, Sim Kee Sen, Vince Khor, Jason Lee, Jake Lee and two other friends.

For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/7316.

Gunung Datuk 4 Aug 2012

I have been climbing Gunung Datuk since 2007 and this will mark my 6th trip. My last trip was more than 2 years ago in June 2010 (http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2010/06/gunung-datuk-1362010.html).

We left PJ at 6.30 a.m. and reached Seremban at about 7.30 a.m. to have our breakfast as well as to pack our lunch. It took us another hour to reach Gunung Datuk base at 9 a.m. Developments appeared to have caught up with Rembau and there are new roads, flyover and road lightings. After passing Rembau town from Pedas toll, one needs to be alert to take a left turning on top of a flyover in order to get to Hutan Lipur Gunung Datuk. The old road has been demolished/replaced by a new flyover. The key landmark is to look out for a yellow mosque on the right side of the road and then take the left turn (diagonally opposed the yellow mosque) on the flyover (see map). We note that there were no signboards, possibly the road construction was still new.

We arrived at Gunung Datuk Base at about 9 a.m. and began trekking at 9.15 a.m. The weather was favourably cool but the trail was damp and slippery. Taking a leisurely pace, we hit the peak at about 11.10 a.m. (about 2 hours). Generally, the trail has been badly eroded with lots of exposed dangling roots. At the peak area, we noted with thumbs up for new aluminum ladders have been erected to replace the old rusty ones. After our meal, refreshment and photo taking session, we left the place at 12.30 p.m. and hit the base at 1.50 p.m.

Overall, it was a good hike with Kathy, Teo, Jenny, Nicole, Agnes Chew, Cynthia and Lim.

For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/14975.

Penang Hill Hike 15 Jul 2012

On 14.7.2012, a group of us left PJ for a hike in Penang. Our original plan to hike the longest Penang Trail from Teluk Bahang Forest Reserve to Penang Hill (http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2008/09/penang-hill-forest-trail-310808_3.html) was dashed when we discovered that it was closed to contain the spread of rat urine disease or leptospirosis. Hence we decided to join Kelab Anak Hutan to hike up Penang Hill from Jalan Balik Pulau.

Starting from an elevation of 25m asl, from Jalan Balik Pulau, the trail winded through farming lands, orchards and nurseries. The primary forest has been cut for farming and hence there was minimal tree canopy to provide the much needed shade against the scotching morning sun. The trail which was slight tarred, for use by motorcycles to transport farm produce, was quite steep all the way to the Chinese Temple @ 417m asl. After the Chinese Temple, the trail was less steep and much more shaded. The hike from the base to the Penang Hill Station (777m asl) took about 4 hours, including leisure time spent at various pit stops. From the hill station, we took the new cable car to return to the base. That day the hazy weather also marred the panoramic view of Penang City. The statistical data for the hike, including the hike profile, can be seen from the map and graph above.

On our return trip to PJ the following day, we stopped over at Ipoh to taste the wonderful popiah, Ipoh sar how fun and chee chong fun at Restaurant Ipoh Kong Heng. We also purchased pomelo fruits and Aun Kheng Lim Salted Chicken as well as tasted the famous soya bean curds at Funny Mountain.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/14872.

Kawal Ijen 31 May - 3 Jun 2012

With hardly any rest after the Gunung Semeru climb (http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2012/06/gunung-semeru-27-30512-part-2_5.html) and a long 6 hours van journey to Catimor Guest Homestay, we were asked to wake up at 5 a.m. to prepare for Kawal Ijen climb.

We were at Paltuding (head trail) of Kawah Ijen at 6 a.m. to start the hike. Indeed as promised, the 3-km long trail to Kawal Ijen was an easy hike. We took our time to enjoy the cool and crisp atmosphere as well as the scenic surroundings. We hit the crater rim at 7.40 a.m. After the usual photography session, we left the crater at 8.40 a.m. We did not venture from the crater rim to the lake level owning to the nauseating sulphur vapour smell. The downhill trek took only 1 hour. To prove that the water from Kawal Ijen was the most acidic in the world, our guide took us to a waterfall nearby to demonstrate the litmus paper test.

Thereafter, we headed for Tanjung Papuma, arriving in time to witness the fabulous sunset over the Indian Ocean. In the morning, we got up early to witness the sunrise as well as to mingle with the women crowd waiting patiently for the boats to return from fishing. After breakfast, we immediately left for Kepanjen where we relaxed and prepared for the following day trip to explore Bangi Cave in Southern Malang.

The Bangi Cave is a small limestone cave located near a village. Except for some pre- and post-caving photographs, I did not to risk by bringing my camera into the wet underground cave. It was really a task crawling and worming through the narrow and low passage way while keeping our heads above water level. The passage dipped downwards as we progressed along. After 2 hours and at about 10m below ground level, we came to the first chamber housing beautiful white crystalline formations. We took a break here and decided not to continue with the exploration given the exceptional high water level and noting that it would take another 4 hours to reach the other end of the cave opening. It was about 2.15 p.m. when we returned to the base camp to clean up and have lunch.

We left for Surabaya Juanda Airport the following day after spending a night at dedaunan Cottage, a charming tastefully decorated residence complete with several open airy courtyards and private garden plots brimming with healthy green vegetable and plants.

For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/14751.

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.