Gunung Ulu Sepat(G7)

SEAT ARE LIMITED!!

This mountain is remote and unknown to many people. It is located in Belum Forest (Hutan Belum). Any Malaysians will know that Hutan Belum is still virgin, untouched by the outside world. If you are lost in this Hutan Belum, the nearest civilisation is 40/50 kilometers away and that's about 3 days of trek if you walked straight. In 1996, the total number of people summiting this mountain is still a double digit figure. Till now the number is still low, considering the inaccessible nature of that place.

There's abundant supply of flora, high in medicinal value. Aboriginal tribes, called Orang Asli still use this forest as a base for primary living. The only contact to the outside world is a 3 hours boat ride through Temenggur Lake (Tasik Temenggur).

Tasik Temenggur is formed when the government decide to built a dam on a Temenggur River in 1970s. As a result, the forest submerged in water to form the lake. Even now, we can see most of the dead tree coming out of the water, still standing proud. This lake has been a main transport system for the Orang Asli, linking Grik to Pos Kemar

ODA will have an expedition to Gunung Ulu Sepat on December, 2009

Expedition Date : December 18th - 21st , 2009

Destination : Gunung Ulu Sepat(G7) , Perak

Altitude : 2160 Meter / 7086 Feet

Gather Time : 7.30 PM

Gather Venue : TBA (To Be Announced)

Registration Closing Date : November24th, 2009

Fee : RM 280/pax

After Dateline : RM 310/pax (Trip Fees Not Refundable)

Trip Fee Included : - Transportation fees from Setapak to Gunung Ulu Sepat - Camping Equipments (Tents, Gas, Gas Stove, Flysheet, Ropes, Groundsheet, Lamps)

- Guide Fees

- 8+1(Emergency) Meals included

Briefing Date : 7^th November 2009

Briefing Venue : TBA

*Briefing is compulsory

P/s: Participant failed to attend briefing will be excluded from the trip, and no refunds will be made.

Trip Requirement:

1) At least 2 mountain hiking experience.

2) Healthy

3) Love adventures

Further Information Please Contacts:

Trip Leader : Pang Siew Ting (012-2064618)

Assistant Trip Leader : How Fu Yaw (016-215 9949)

Or E-mail : contact_oda@yahoo.com

Best Regards,

ODA Committees (Outdoor Discover Adventure)

Get to know more from:
www.weareoda.blogspot.com
www.friendster.com (User ID: oda oda)
www.youtube.com (User ID: weareoda)

2009 Oct 16th - 18th G.Chabang Info

Gunung Chabang Expedition !!!!
14 Seats Available Only

Gunung Chabang stands in Simpang Pulai ,Perak. This mountain is relatively unknown and not many people climb it. The trek is quite steep and passed old unused logging roads which have been overgrown with young secondary forest. It takes two days to finish the trip, one day to go up, and another day to go down. The trek begins from an orang asli village just beside the Simpang Pulai - Cameron Highlands highway.

Date : 2009 Oct 16th - 18th (Friday - Sunday)
Location : G. Chabang, Simpang Pulai, Perak
Altitude: 5612 ft' /1711 m
Gather : 08.00pm (Friday, Oct 16th)
Trip Fee : Student RM 135/pax ; Non- Student : RM 150/pax
Dateline : 2009 Oct 5th
After Dateline : RM 170/pax

Trip Fee Non-Refundable

Trip Fee Inclusive :

a) 2 Ways Transportation (KL - Trail Entrance)
b) Camping Equipments

(Tent, Gas, Stove, Flysheet, Rope, Camping Lamp, Groundsheet)

c) 5 Meals (2 x Breakfast, 2 x Lunch, 1 x Dinner)

Further Info, Contact :
Trip Leader : Ang Chian Nii (012-6050-541)
Assistant : Andy Goan Song Choon (016-2203-680)
Or Email : contact_oda@yahoo.com

Gunung Irau Trip

哈哈！迟来的部落格。过了三个星期才写，应该不会太迟吧？希望老师不会部落格我。哈！都过了三个星期，那时我所遇的人，所见到的情景，所做的事，在我脑海中的记忆应该还未删除吧？哈！所以现在的我正努力寻找着当时的回忆。首先说说这次trip所遇到的人物。惨啦！好像变成解说员了。哈！应该没关系吧？反正乱说一通就对啦！哈！这次的trip leader是Fu Yaw吧！谢谢你！有你的带领，我们才能什么什么的！辛苦你啦！你是知道我说什么的啦！对吧！哈哈！还有我们的重量级人马oda advisor老师。老师，在oda里。你是非常的重哦！有够重的！哈！你是明白的啦。大家在你的指导下，这次的trip才能什么什么的！所以老师真的很感谢你哦！ 当然不能忘了感谢我们group的leader Chien Nii。我们是第一组的所以我们的leader也是第一的！Poh Fung, Chin Loong, Lee Kee, Chu Hang, Vivien, Gah Gee, 你们说对吗？哈哈！也谢谢你们哦！很开心能认识到你们！希望以后的trip都能见到你们！我们是行的！哈哈！




这次trip的路有点像Yong belar哦！全程的路都是烂烂的，还有很多阻碍物和不明物体！哈！但这都不能阻止我们的决心！安全上到顶，安全下回底！ 哈！最后真的要谢谢参与这次trip的所有人！真的很高心能遇见你们！是你们让我有一段美好的回忆。谢谢你们！谢谢oda！ The End.....!

Beautiful Irau, beautiful people

After 2 months, finally we are in mountain again… before Irau trip coming, feel so excited. I have been listening from the senior the beauty of the Gunung Irau mossy forest, the cold weather on the peak, the muddy trail…. Finally, I have chance to step on the muddy trail in this beautiful and mossy forest. And also, ODA is gathering again!!! Gah Gee coming all the way from Batu Pahat to this trip...

Firstly, Thanks to Fu Yaw for being a good trip leader who had done a good job in the trip, either before or after trip. Also need to thanks ODA, ODA Advisor - Lao Shi, Senior - Gah Gee, Andy, Sian Seong and Bee Suan. With the effort and fully support of everyone, the trip had been organised successfully.

I feel glad for having the chance to be the group leader. This time, 4 of my group members are first timer in mountain climbing. They are Chin Loong, Vivien, Poh Fung and Lee Kee. Firstly, sorry to Chin Loong cause didn’t remind you to wear a good condition shoes as it might broke during half the of the trip. Luckily you bring your needle. You’re really a good brother, taking good care of your sister and Poh Fung. You are so steady. Vivien, I know you feel tough to walk up and come back. But I saw you ady improve a lot after having lunch break at Camp Botak. Gambade!!! Finally you did it. Poh Fung, a good job. Never expect that your cloth will be so clean after the muddy trail. Or should say I am too dirty?? Hehe… Lee Kee, you try and do your best to keep on moving, never give up. Hope you will bring this spirit into your life. Of course not forget Chee Loong and Chu Hang who also helps a lot to take care of our group member. Also thanks to my senior, Gah Gee who is always be there. Very nice and happy to have you all in my group.

Also thanks to Pooi Kuan, Chee Loong, Kenn, Siew Kee, Henry, Jai Wong, Simpson, Chu Hang. Happy to meet you all again in ODA trip. Thanks for always support ODA.

In this trip, I get to know many new friends, my group member, Jason, See Yao, See Kuan, Kian Sing, Eng Soon, Alistair, Chu Yao, Emily, Lulu, Kah Chun, Ryan, Valeire. Very nice to meet you all. During trip didn’t talk much with you all, hope in the future there is chances for us to know more about each other. Keep in touch. ^.~

Irau is really a beautiful place, the forest, the tree, the sky, the people… Heard Lao Shi say if there is no cloud, the sky will be full of stars… J
ust imagine already feel very beautiful. But that night we got no chance to enjoy the beauty of Irau sky. Never mind, I believe we will have a chance to view it. Gunung Irau, I will step on you again in the future, see you again!!

Thanks

Gunung Irau Revisited

I m kaki…chian ni group…I think not so many ppl recognize me..hehe..me very 低调的…hehe..first sure hav to thanks our trip leader fu yaw… done a gud job…this trip very successful…gud planning…all ur effort we saw it…

Thanks our advisor…because hav a good advisor sure have a great ODA…best committees…名师出高…n we are those 有缘人…

Thanks all of the committees…fully support to trip leader before trip, during trip n after trip…

Thanks my group leader..very responsible…gud leading.. let every members well prepare in the trip…thanks all my members…although I didn’t spend more time wif u all..my u all relly very gud…everyone will helping each other…do all the things together…gud teamwork…hope can climb mountain wif u all again…

Long time didn’t climb mountain..one year le ba…last time go gunung ledang oso didn’t climb…hehe...jus chat wif lao shi ….when bek from irau ..leg a little bit pain...n feel tired…physical not gud le…have to train it le..

Four years with oda…many things happen …but I relly love ODA…love climbing… During climbing I heard tat many participants say very suffer…very tired…no next time…I hope tat u all can try it again…you relly can found out y we love to climb mountain…many things hav to experience jus can know it…n I hope tat more ppl can relize it…that becoz ODA keep organize the trip…ODA organize so many trip within four years..many feedback we receive it…some was very worst ..but we didn’t giv up..coz we know tat we are doing right things…and ODA SPIRIT…NEVER GIVE UP..

I know that ODA will keep going….. Hope to see u all soon ya…

Gah Gee

I'm BACK !!! Gunung Irau Expedition !!!

After 3months of vacation, finally I'm BACK !!!

Ya...its G.Irau again !! Actually G.Irau was one of the most meaningful moutain for me.
-G.Irau 2007, my first trip in ODA as Trip Leader.
-G.Irau 2009, my first trip after G.Tahan 2009 with 3months 'rest'.

G.Irau was different compare to 2years ago...Its trail was totally different and more difficult. Hikers favourite moutain and its beautiful view are one of the main factors which lead to the trail spoiled. As visitors or hikiers, We should take responsibility to take care of our mother nature by keeping it away from pollution and take proper action to preserve the environment. Hope next time when I visit to G.Irau again, the trail wont become worse than this anymore.

For G.Irau 2009, I'm a group leader. My group was Group 2,an amazing group...
Jai Wong- ODA loyal supporter, you are such a helpful guy...You helped me alot on managing our group..you are also the professional photographer which took alot of beautiful photos. Thanks for your help !! I appreciate it.

Kwok Bern- New participants which first time joining ODA trip. You are also very helpful in our group although you are still new. You are new but you willing to learn, that is what I felt great..Hope to see you in ODA next trip !! Thanks for your help oso.

Alistair Low- also a First timer in ODA trip. Glad to meet u, you are such a funny and ambitious guy. During trip, you wanna try and willing to learn anything that you feel new and challenging such as proper way of packing backpack, cooking and etc. You are also the only participant in this trip who aim to conquer G.Tahan. Hope you can achieve your ambition as soon as possible. Gambateh !!

Siew Kee- Although you are slow, but you never give up. This is the great attitude that we should learnt from hiking. When we preparing dinner at peak, although u are exhausted but you still volunteer to cook for our group, this also another positive attitude that we should learn from hiking and applying it into our daily life. With your 'never give up' spirit, I hope you can look for a great job very soon.

Eng Soon & Kian Sing- Both of you are friends and also first timer in ODA trip. I found that both of you always keep quiet during our meal preparation or others activities. Although both of you are keep quiet, but your hand still working, helped to cut vegetables, garlic and etc. Thanks for your help during trip !! See you again in next ODA's Trip !!

Last but not least, Thanks for ODA !! Thanks to Trip leader and also my group advisor, Fu yaw..He really put alot of effort in this trip and helped alot in managing my group ..Thanks ya.
Thanks to ODA Advisor, Miss Lim , ODA Senior Committees, Andy , Gah Gee and also other committees member , Chian ni and Bee Suan in working together to make this trip sucessful. Because of your effort, ODA G.Irau Expedition 2009 Mission ACCOMPLISHED !!! Hurray !!!!

Irau 2009

Hi, I'm Andy, group 4 members.. also 'chu nan' team..

Thx Fu Yaw, to lead all of us to reach the peak.. imperfect sumtime train us to become more perfect..

Pooi Kuan always be the caring group leader, with u there, i no need to remind or worry anything..

Group 4 members, form by good good, nice nice and funny funny people.. Ah Bee, Yao Yao, Kenn, Bern, Valerie, Simpson.. warm to had u all there since Irau is very cold..

Thx ODA, Bee Suan, Chian Nii, Sian Seong.. always giv fully support during the trip..

lastly to our senior, Gah Gee, long way from hometown to come guide us.. and ODA advisor, Lao Shi, Irau trip always giv u alot of sweet sweet memory ya..haha.. always feel comfort when had u with us..

Jai Wong, Chee Long, Chu Hang, Henry thx for always corporate with ODA trip..

Really good to know u all, Emily, Pei Yee, Nicky, Poh Fung, Vivian;Brother, Jason, Chu Yao, and somemore which i cant mention ur name here..

Hope we stil can see each other after 10Yrs at Irau Peak again..

@me at msn>> andy_gsc@hotmail.com

GroUp 4 ...........处男队

Mt Irau is locally known as Gunung Irau. At 2110m, it is the 15th highest mountain in Malaysia. The peak has a border marker shared by 2 states - Pahang and Perak

This ODA trip have 25 participant and 7 ODA kaki .......

This trip have many feel enjoy .happy . cold and important is team work (my group 4 have team work but team work 4 dinner only ........haha

but little bit sad lol cos my group4 y not lenglui de ........haiz

Group 4 member

leader pui kuan ---good trip leader and 1oQ u encourage

see kuan ----good guy care 4 her friend and 1st ppl up 2 the peak

see yao--- strong man

valeire lam ----1oQ cos bring tom yam sup up 2 peak

kah chun ---camera man

Simpson Lee ---happy guy and 1oQ U 18YEAR CHIVAS haha

andy ---cool man haha

9 2 meet u all again ........

last 1oQ the oda Committee

laosi,andy,trip leader fuYaw,chinni ,QiQi low and ABS.......HAHA

c u all next ODA trip :-p

揭开依劳山的密码

有时候，为了完成所谓的理想，必须经过长久的准备和等待。就像登山。

自从去Gunung Nuang了之后，已相隔一年多没登山了。身边的朋友多半都出国了，不然就忙于工作，假日都无法聚会，更谈不上登山了。关于依劳山，最令我向往的地方莫过于魔戒般的森林吧。好不容易在ODA的网页有此活动, 当然不肯错过啦。

生活展开了新的一页，人生前景就充满了新希望

早已有听闻，依劳山不易爬。满山遍野皆是烂泥，已是意料中事。但背着沉重的背包到山顶，可不是一件简单的事。幸运的，整个行程都是好天气，不然全身就变得脏兮兮的。

登山靠的不仅是体力，毅志力和团队精神都不可缺少。望着前方无路的石岩，得四肢并用，还须靠着周围仅有的树根，才能攀上去。有时候，还需要队友们的互相扶助，才能度过重重的难关。曾有一次, 摔跤滑落时跌入泥泽中，由于背包太重了，无法站立。幸运的，队友伸出援手，帮我扶起来。

从自助、互助到助人 — 是最美丽的升华！

在最后一段的山林中，终于看到了铺天盖地的苔藓，犹如进入仙境般，无以伦比的美丽。难得在马来西亚，竟然可以见到有种仿如隔世的梦境，在怎么辛苦，留了多少汗水，即使抽筋受伤，也是值得的。为的就是这一刻！

山顶的景色只属一般。所幸运的，没被层层的迷雾所掩盖，还可瞭望远处的山景。舒适的温度，美好的天气，在山顶来说已经非常好了。

只要耕耘，必有收获，土地是如此，生命也是如此。

爬升的时候，总是缓慢，充满期待。而下山时，则把该记得的感觉、画面通通重复一遍，让这段回忆可以更持久、永恒。登山，除了陶治了身心，也触动某些幽微的记忆。但愿下一次会再来。

忘了问，在我心中盘算已旧的Mulu剑山，有谁兴趣参与吗？


来自第二组的Eng Soon笔

Gunung Irau 29-31 Sept 2009

Firstly thanks to ODA to organize this open trip to Gunung Irau. Let big gang participant experience to this mountain.

Nice to meet you all and this is the noisiest trip I been before… hahaha… because of your noise, this trip become more relax n easy.

This is my second time to irau, a very beautiful mountain, and it’s not tough as lvl 2 or lvl 3 mountains. So I decide to bring my best fren, Ryan to experience it.
For my group member,

Fu Yaw – good trip leader who do a good job on this trip. He really put his heart to do all the planning, organizing and preparing for the trip.
SS – good to see that u become more mature.
Ryan – 1st time overnight in mountain, hope you enjoy to use you sleeping bag and have nice experience on this trip.
Eng Soon and Kian Sen – you two good fren really cooperate, always lets us a hand to carry item or prepare for the meal.Alistar – young man who always full with energy.
Xiao Qi – salute for you’re never give up spirit to finish this trip. (I’m just joking tat u 洁癖dun serious o)

For the ‘Tom Yam Cake’ owner, we should take care of environment and respect to other visitor. Your ‘da bao’ way may cause inconvenient to other visitor, next time please follow the proper ‘da bao’ procedure.

Hope to see you all again in ODA trip. Take Care

Clarification on the correct way of " DA BAO"

P/S: If you are having a meal or after meal, please do not view this post.

Hi all, just would like to clarify the way we "DA BAO". As all of us know, the correct steps are:

1) Borrow parang from Fuyaw.
2) Find a friend to accompany and then go search for a nice spot

3) Dig a hole with the parang

4) Lets do the job and put all the "things" into the hole that we digged.
5) Then we cover back the hole with the soil.
6) Place a stick on the spot that we covered up to let others ppl know the place is occupied.
7) Return to group, and return the cleaned parang to Fuyaw.But...few of us we saw a different way of "DA BAO" on Irau Peak, which is totally the wrong way of doing the job. The reason the steps above are taught is to make sure our "things" is well disposed and well covered so that the view would not be so disgusting.
Below are a few pictures that shows an example of wrong way of "DA BAO".
If you ignore a few simple steps as above and the outcome that we get is a very very unpleasing sight. So please follow instructions of "DA BAO"

Gunung Irau Expedition

Well, to be honest, it is very exciting expedition. :D

If you like sport activities, and if you would like to try camping, then you must join ODA's trip. I was so glad that I joined this Gunung Irau Expedition.
I would like to thank to following persons:

ODA's committee members - organising this trip
Bee Suan - leading our Group 3
Pei Yee and Pui Yan - entertaining our group : ) , our group members were happier because of both of you, really!
Kah Chun and Ah Bi - fetching our members
Henry - experienced chef
Jason - no doubt a professional photographer, we look very nice in the photos

Ms. Lim - nice adviser and experienced chef as well : )

志航, Ken and others - watching my back (my backpack was higher than my head and I do need people to watch my back)

Simpson - joked a lot, nice to talk to you

Just some feedback on this trip:

It would be better that if we were informed who is designated first aider then we know who to look for when there is necessity.

Since we are going out from KL, we may consider to try some famous food on our way to the designation instead of having our late lunch at Setapak :) , but I do admit that ODA's activities are quite difficult to be organised, and you have done your best already !!!

Unforgettable Irau Trip

Before this Irau trip, I worried that I can't make it...because I seldom exercise and my stamina also not good enough…I feel tired easily...but, finally I make it too................

I succeed not because of I didn't give up, but d fact is that nobody give up on me…I really appreciate those helped me in this trip especially ODA committees, group 2 members and also two brothers, Kuan and Yao whose helped me to carry my bag pack…Thanks to u all….Without all of u, I think I would give up in the half way…..

ODA committees, paiseh ar coz I’m d last one to reach peak and also back to carpark…I had tried my best already, but still be the last one…so embarrassed…but luckily gah gee no missed her bus because of me o…hehe...ODA committees, nice to meet u all….All of u helped me a lot in this trip….I still remember when I almost gave up, I heard from them “almost reach dy, almost reach dy…10 more mins.....” but I took aroud 30 mins to reach le…so pity!!!!!!!!!!! I wont forgot dis painful but meaningful trip…Lausi, last time u ask me whether like u all or not...I wan to change my answer o…I like u all but except the one who left me behind la.....haha…

Group 2 members, thanks coz always care at me in this trip…may be I’m the only girl in our group, so a bit lonely…but this also gave me some special treatment, coz I can take lighter gas stove o…hehe...Jai Wong, finally I can remember ur name dy...eh, actually I’m not really ‘jie pi’ la but just dun like so dirty...so keep washing my hands lo...although washed many times, but still very dirty le…haha…Alistair, I felt so surprised when I saw u can finish all the remaining foods..(dun be angry ya)..n also I remember that u very kind coz want carry me down at the end but of course I rejected it la…hehe…btw, very happy to know u all...

Aft back from the trip, I just realize that ODA committees really geng o...They still have the energy to clean and tidy all the equipments…but me exhausted dy!!!!!!.............

Last but not least, hope ODA can organize more activities in future…gambate ne….

Gunung Irau(龙猫山) 之 吹吹风慢慢走

Gunung Irau(龙猫山) 之 吹吹风慢慢走



小弟，志航 第一组 的。 有幸第四次参加ODA精心筹备的登山。

谢谢，ODA成员， 老师， Fu Yaw（trip长）, Chian Nii（组长） 让这次的Trip圆满。 跟往常的Feedback一样， 我文采不好还是用point form。

- 我的组有3男（我还有两个阿龙）
- 我的组有5女（阿泥, 阿Vivien， 阿旗， 阿小饱, 阿kaki） :p
- 很巧，这组有5个北海人
- 天气很好
- 很多烂泥路
- 沿途风景非常美，所以我慢慢走，时不时停下吹风
- 有个地方很像龙猫卡通里的山路
- 没有龙猫
- 我两天都睡得很爽
- 阿泥很照顾我们
- 阿kaki教我煮东西
- 阿Vivien跌进烂泥
- 阿龙1照顾妹妹vivien
- 阿龙2驾车
- 阿小保用Plaster黏蚂蚁
- 阿奇要加油，因为她朋友阿小保不理她
- 大家都很合作

感想：
像这样的登山， 慢慢走吹吹风才能享受沿途风景， 山顶并没有预想的美丽， 不必那么急。
人生路是否也一样？

My Irau experiance, Group 3

After 3 weeks of anticipation for the day you could try out the newly bought deuter Gobi and your karimor shoes, u might be wondering “what on earth you are trying to do? it is the weekend and I was suppose to spend some worthy time with Sean Kingston and Lady gaga sipping off from the bottle of black label !!! “ but then again, I glad that I made the decision.

First of all I would like to give applause to all the ODA Committee, Ang Bee Suan ( my team leader still single and available !!! ), Lao Shi ( Miss Lim with the big nasty hilux… ), Fu Yaw, Chian nii, Andy and the rest ( sooo sorry not so good in remembering names i will do my best in future ). It was really nice to have them around as was my first time to have a hiking trip apart trip organized by colleges or unis.

Everything was almost followed the schedule which I think it was pretty close, nice work. But you might have missed 1 small little point…Malaysian style always come late then being punctual. It is always good to plan another an hour earlier than the expected time of departure. It was ok to me as earlier I was told that we will be spending a night in a hotel before we start our hike to Gunung Irau…that is awesome, sufficient sleep and rest will ensure that your body could operate at the best performance !!!

After several hours at the free way and through the bending curve at Simpang Pulai….We finally reached our destination... Brinchang, I was gazing through the beauty of the hotels and start wondering it would be nice to have hot bath and warm blanket to sleep and prepare for tomorrow. Soon I realized that passes so many hotels and will be arriving to our sweet hotel. Eh? Jabatan Hutan Cameron Highland ? ? eaekkkkk...then I knew that the HOTEL = Home On Top the Earth…..Looser !! Nooooo where is my hot water ???

Nothing much you can do but to bring out the courage in you to be more adventurous. We parked our car and started to unload our back packs and head towards to our HOTEL. It was freezing cold my friend !!! No hot water ??? slowly the team leaders starts grouping up their team members and giving instruction on what is the next step.

Fu Yaw, our trip leader calling other ODA committee and introducing themselves to the rest of the people. Young, handsome and most importantly show a sense of leadership. From that point I knew our trip to Gunung Irau will be smooth as silk.

After a short section of explanation of our main objective and goal also some description of what we shall faced during the hike. Fu Yaw then start to name the group members that will be sleeping in the assigned tent. I was so pumped up to start setting up my home as it is bout time to sleep ( what at 11pm? This is the time I start heading towards to Lady gaga.)..

Things are a bit weird when you are with Mother Nature, slight breeze flowing through your cheek giving you little chilly feeling with an abundant of fresh air that you could hardly have time to grasp when you are in the city. Everything slowly take in to place, where my mind starts to calm down together with my breath and spiritually I can actually felt that I am starting to make peace with my soul.

Our team leader later call for all GROUP 3 members to gather around our bag station. Her voice gently raised “ ok, we will start cooking rice for the usage of tomorrow hiking trip, could you take out the rice please?”. Rice? Anyone mentioned about rice? Oh man, thanks to my ability to browse through the plan and schedule in a flash. I don’t want to starve to death!!! We started to search for rice from other teams and found out we are not only the one without any rice. Fortunately, permission was given to purchase rice from the nearest town which is only 5 minutes drive away.

I salute to all the ODA members that spend their time on ensuring the rice are cooked in time for the usage of tomorrow. They were cooking rice till late in the morning. I didn’t manage to stay up till late as I was driving entire way from KL to Brinchang ( excuses….) so I slowly tucked into my sleeping bag and doze away to dreamland.

Finally, hours before the climb, everyone slowly appeared from their tent. Some were packing their sleeping bag tugging it into their bag while some are preparing breakfast for those unfold their tents. I personally didn't get much sleep of cause thanks to the location of our tent declining with an angle of 30 degrees downwards !!! Not to mention that a cold climate was a bit "abusing " to a typical asian guy ( refereing to me) that stays in a warm climate through out the year.

After packed all the stuff into the back pack, I casually walked towards to our group where Loa Si with her light blue snow cap already sitting down there preparing breakfast for the late comers...pai sheh pai sheh ( the sleeping beauties are still brushing their teeth and probably putting some make up too....=p). Henry, our main cook starts to warm up the roti canai and the curry with a little cheeky smile on his face. he told me i need to eat as much as possible, else with will suffer later on. I quickly stuff myself with 3 or 4 roti canai just too hope that it wont explode later...Nevertheless, we hurried finish our roti canai and warm milo before start to clean the mess tin.

Well after filing up the empty bottles with water from the clean river that near the campsite ( slightly yellowish though if you want to say is clean ). We then start to head to our transportation and place all the bags ready to head to the peak. It was like more then 10 years since my last visit to cameron highland, i could not recall anything at all bout cameron highlands. So it was quite nostagia to able to pass by all the tea plantation, an absolute nice scenary.

Moments before the climb, everyone are starting to gear up their stuff and shoes. I was warming up intensively as i knew i will need it. Just imagine you are carrying "STONES" on back, but thanks to my years of intensive exercise and sporting i am pretty sure this will not stop me.

Group by group head up to the staircase leading towards a jungle trail unknowing what we will face. Our group wasnt ready yet, as there are still "unsolved" (moment with the parang) issue yet. Once everyone were there, my heart starts beating so fast till i could hear it really loud. The anxiety is overwhelming !!! My shoulder is pain!!! My old legs starts showing symptoms of breaking down. Step by step i drag my self to the end of the staircase and suddenly something catched my sight...a spectacular view of the green and lush slopy hill spanning as far you can see.

Something you couldn't find it in the town and i think to myself, what a wonderful world ( by louis amstrong) !!! All my doubts and pain just gone......and from that moment, i knew i knew i will definitely able to reach the peak !!!

Well....after that, throughout the entire journey would be more like walking into a realm of the Goblin.....It looks like the lord of the ring trilogy!!! Dark green moss grow almost every single part of the trees. Unseen holes within the ground occasionally form out of no where. Tree roots aged more then hundred years old petruding from the ground like trying to grap hold on someone. But well is just abit over exegerating i guess. And then suddenly i heard noise from far above the tree...wondering whether is the Goblin wanted to share his pot of gold...!!! and what i saw is Lao Si sitting high above the tree trunk and looking down at us. We are not surprise to see that i was expecting more from the Lao Si, maybe hanging to one of the tree vines while asking the rest to navigate through the jungle....=p

The entire trail was okay for me, as i looked backed, the 2 Gals at my back start clinging from 1 tree to another panting heavily. I guess it might be too tough for them....or there isn't any rihana's Disturbia to motivates them...... but they never stop and gave up. Kept continue the journey with their "Yin Yong" gloves navigating through the muddy trail. Nevertheless, they were surprisingly durable...something i didnt expect from them. Amazing.

After 2 hours of trekking through the muddy trail, we finally reach Bukit Botak, where we start to have lunch. Refueling all the energy that lost during the hike. I was not that hungry though, took a few bites of the home made fried rice. Cant complain, there is no other option but to eat. We then continue to head up to G. Irau where i heard there is still like 30 minutes to go...yipeee... !!!

Immediately we continue our journey step by step and suddenly we are forced to enter a part of the trail where there is limited light. The trail is like walking through a tunnel where you only see nothing but scarry looking trees covered with moss. And then suddenly, mist slowly fills up the trail making me to have more imaginations. I walked slowly navigating through the thin mist around me and finally i see the light at the end of the road. Relieved. Finally !!!

It was moments away and i was so thrilled that i will be reaching the peak soon. My legs starting to show cramping effect, i dont care but continue to push them slowly and carefully knowing i will still need to come down tomorrow. Step by step and........YES.....i can feel the tears of happiness.....i can finally let go my "STONE" at last.

I would like to say, that it was really fun indeed. The satisfation of able to reach the top and return back to the starting point is an achievement to anyone who have participated in this expedition.

It has show me something different from my prespective point of view.

It is not about competivenes of who will reach the peak first. It is not about who has the best stamina or endurance. It is also not about whether you are a guy or a gurl.

It is about knowing your trueself in a situation where you have to entrust everyone. Believing yourself and others to work together. Also to reconnect with Mother Nature, where a lot of people take it for granted.

Well.....i hope i could share my experiance with you again in the near future. Thank You !!!

Saiyonara !!!