Ah Pak San 14 Oct 2007

 

Went to APS and was surprised to witness a small gathering holding banners and singing songs protesting against the closure of APS to the public.The authorities have also put up a noticeboard advising the public against entering the forest without permission or face a fine of RM10,000 or a jail sentence of 3 years or both. Enforcement is expected after Raya. Reporters from Chinese dailies were there too.

After hiking 11/2 hr, we reached Station 6 at 10:20 a.m. Since this might be the last time we could hike up APS, we decided to extend our trek to Segar Summit (elevation 386m). The hike took about 30 minutes from Station 6. The Segar Summit area is much bigger (than Station 6) and has a viewpoint on Ampang area. We took 25 minutes to backtrack to Station 6 before racing downhill to beat the rain (about 1 hour). After spending some time chitchatting with the tongsui operator while savouring her homecooked red/green bean soup, fresh fruits, nasi lemak and mee hoon, we left the place at 1:30 p.m. The stall operator told us that she would go home and eat 'loh mai' after the closure of the stall. She has also been given notice to tear down the back extension too. So sad!

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/1368.

Sg Chiling 7 Oct 2007

The famous Sg Chilling waterfall is now officially known as Sg Chilling Fish Sanctuary. The place has been spurned up with a new suspension bridge at the first river crossing. Nearby there are sheltered rest areas and changing rooms as well as a surau. Also, to note that camping, cooking and fishing are no longer allowed.

Starting at 9.15 a.m. we took 15 minutes slow walk to reach the first river crossing using suspension bridge. The trail is wide and level (at an elevation about 275m). After about an hour trek along the trail running parallel to the river, we came across a fork junction, one leading towards the riverbank (on the left) and another uphill (right). Taking the left trail, we proceeded another 5 minutes along a narrow trail before ending at a riverbank where we had to wade cross the river. At the opposite of the river, there are 2 huge noticeboards reminding everyone that fishing is totally prohibited. For the next 40 minutes, the trail took us through 4 more river crossings before we reached the pristine rest area of the lower waterfall. Total river crossings : 6 (1 using bridge + 5 wading across).

The upper waterfall (at 345m elevation) can be accessed using a steep trail uphill. The trail head is clearly visible at the riverbank before the last river crossing.

Generally, the trail is litter free and water is crystal clear... kudos to the Forestry staff!

The photos are arranged in chronological in order to assist us in future trips.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/1403.

Bukit Tabur 30 Sep 2007

This is my fifth trip to Bukit Tabur and I still find the climb enervating. Started at 7.15 a.m. and finished at 10.40 a.m. with a good 25 minutes break at the mossy forest. This time we managed to catch the sunrise @ 7.19 a.m.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/477.

Gunung Angsi 23 Sep 2007

Starting at an elevation of about 200m, we took 2 hours to hike up to the Summit (825m) via Bukit Putus way and 1hr 40 mins for our return trek. This time round, there was hardly any fungi, compared to the last trip on 5 August 2007  given the recent dry spell. Overall, it was a goodwork out and managed to touch base with many trekker friends at the Summit.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/1139.

Gunung Murud 19-24 Aug 2007

Our adventure to Gunung Murud started with an initial prolonged 3 hours bumpy ride on the muddy logging trail from Buduk Nur, Ba’ Kelalan (Elevation: 925m) to Lepo Bunga (1685m). Due to the continuous rain the night before, we started late at 9 a.m. hoping that the logging trail would be drier for vehicles to pass. Nonetheless, our 4WD stalled a couple of times enroute to Lepo Bunga.

After 40 minutes of ascent from Lepo Bunga, which included climbing up several step logs (ladders) we arrived at a small clearing (2030m). From here, it was supposed to be an easy gentle walk along the plank walkway which runs approximately 3 km. The wet weather had made the walk tedious because the planks were slippery and some, rotten. We took about 80 mins to complete the plank walk which ends at the foothill (2153m) of Batu Linanit. The Church camp is located right behind the hill. One has the option of taking a 20 min trek around the hill or scale up and down the Batu Linanit hill to reach the Church Camp. We opted to scale up Batu Linanit (2211m) hill with the hope of getting a great view of the Batu Lawi and others. Unfortunately, it started to rain and we were forced to make a quick exit downhill to the Church camp (2072m). We took 30 minutes to trek uphill and 35 minutes downhill.

The following morning, we trekked in the rain for 4 hours to reach the Rock Garden (Batu Kebun) and another 30 mins to reach the Summit (2423m) at 12.55 p.m. The trail initially descended downhill to 1915m before ascending to 2285m at Rock Garden. The trail was muddy and filled with pools of water trapped by rotting roots. The scenery to the Batu Kebun was stunning with bonsai trees interspersed with huge boulders and colourful shrubs.

After a quick meal, we started our return trek at 1.45p.m. The river which we had trekked up earlier had swollen and the river boulders were no longer visible for us to trek on as they were covered by gushing water. Here our 3 guides cum porters (Kading, Jimmy and Paulous), displayed extraordinary agility in helping us to navigate across and down the riverbank. We hurried our way back and managed to reach Church Camp at 4.40 p.m. cutting down the time taken to 3 hours. The following day, we made another trip up Batu Linanit hill given a clear morning before descending down to Lepo Bunga. The trail was so fresh and alive from the rain the night before. Today we get to take photographs of wild flowers and Nepenthes. From Lepo Bunga we trekked 45 minutes down the logging trail to meet up with our late 4WD (because it had earlier stuck in mud for 3 hours).

Tips: Wear Kampong Adidas and avoid using walking stick because it takes a lot of energy to pull up the stick from the soggy ground after each step: thereby slowing down the pace.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/1361.

Gunung Angsi 5 Aug 2007

Went up to Gunung Angsi Summit via Bukit Putus and return via Ulu Bendol. This third hike to the Summit was made most special by the variety of mushrooms sighted in terms of shapes, sizes and colours. There were blue, pink, orange, brown, yellow, white. It must be mushroom season. Needless to say we spent time to take the best shots and thus took longer than usual to reach the Summit and return. It turned out to be a photography trek.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/1173.

Kuala Selangor Nature Park 28-29 Jul 2007

Kuala Selangor Nature Park - Great place for bird watching as well as to see silver leaf monkey. Of course not forgetting the famous Ijok beggar chicken nearby.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/1078.