My Trip to Gunung Tahan 2012

Written by Ang Sim Mei

Gunung Tahan the highest in Peninsular Malaysia, 7173Ft’, 2187m. I never ever think I have a chance or I have this brave to step at there. Every time that I spend there with you all to reach there still stick in my mind, feel very enjoy. So amazing.  Night dreaming still can smile but I didn't know how to voice out.

I still remember before this trip, once I free I will open ODA Facebook to see weather have any trip to go after my last trip to Gunung Batu Putih. I miss out the trip to Gunung Nuang.  But lastly I am so happy to get a call from Lau Si, but make me a little so surprise when in conversation, asking 4 or 5 day hiking trip. !!!(“_”)??? Wah, never think go so long hiking trip, out of my mind, but since already set go for hiking trip, I accept this chance, no matter go anywhere, any trip, stay there relax there. After put down the call, I start thinking, did I really talk to Lau Si just now, and on the trip? 5 day? Did ABS go, who eles I can meet this time? Many other member better than me, why call me?  My physical ok ma? Should I call back to reconfirm? Leave approved or not approved how? Many question in my mind.

First, apply leave, OH YES!  My leave approve I am so happy, massage Lau Si told her my leave is approved!!!  With my this happy feeling, I go back told my mom that I want go hiking and so fast my mom agree with a good mood with less asking.”Wau, that is a good start” (^-^)~    I think, and one of my friends will go KK for hiking, so is a good chance for me to follow them go training and exercise.

Later before 2 week I get schedule from ODA, my happiness become more kan chong, cause in whole trip I and the other boy is non-ODA member. Other member name macam kenal kenal sahaja. Open FB checking, as last can know the trip member before hiking. The more scare I feel.  I feel like I still many thing not yet packing. Double checking and double check!!!  (>.<)

The day was coming; we all have to gather at Lau Si house. The week before I go search Lau Si house lastly I found it, but still lost on the way to Lau Si house that day (*@*). When I reach Lau si house, Ah Phang told me to list down the all the thing I bring, Double checking the entire thing again. That time I see all people are busy, I didn’t know what I help I can do, I just stick myself with Bee Suan.Lastly we all finish the preparation; we pack all the backpack into Lau Si car, start our driving trip to Pahang ranger office. The checking process, all the thing need to take out and repack. I feel that time is I terbalik my back also I know what I bring. After check in, we prepare our lunch; all so happy still can eat papaya. After the 4x4, lastly we really have to start our step. Of Cause before the step, sure we have a photo. Thanks to Chok Ping you take very nice picture. (^.^)

Day 1, the ways to Kem Kor have to cross river. We all cross the river and reach safety. The kem site have river of course, we all take a change to take bath.Haha…But night raining can’t stay at outside longer, so fast we sleep a really.

Day 2, Kem Kor to Permatang, Permatang to Kubang, take lunch has to search place to cook. Limited space. After lunch continue to Kubang.  So nice we all reach Kubang early still have a chance to have a high tee, orange juice. Then we take bath, water point is very far. We prepare dinner, porridge so nice. Then we rest, talk talk, prepare our breakfast tomorrow. Lucky we prepare early, that day raining early then tomorrow, and the sign of raining is so scary, mist coming so fast. Talking inside the dome.

Day 3, weak up same time like yesterday time, but the weather like still late maybe because of yesterday raining. But didn’t know because of raining, the muddy trail from Kubang to Belumut look like more muddy. And after we lunch, we continue to Botak. And it started to be very hot. Feel our muddy shoes can be dry a little bit. After the Belumut to Botak, along the way, the habitat started to change, because last time we study in geography or biology I can feel the different like the book said. The way we are getting near, I feel so existed, feel the sun burn. The hotter at the morning site, sure the more cool the night site. After take bath, we dinner so fast. And we took a break walk around together with photo around the Botak. Look at the right higher side and think after tomorrow we are reach peak. Because of our discussion to reach peck tomorrow morning to wake up early, so we will have a nice and relax at Botak for a long time to rest there. This night still the same, raining also. But at night after raining I and Chian Nii come out for toilet, the sky full with star, look shinning and big. Feel so, Wah!!!

Day 4, fill like don’t want wake up. Cold!!! We breakfast, we pack our thing. Start our way to peak with torch light. Wahl!!! Lastly we reach to Pack and we stay a quite long time, Siocknya but cold over there, didn’t feel want take out my jacket and long pant and I hide myself to one side that not so windy and can see the good view there. I feel so cold and freezing until I can’t smile properly. But that moment no longer so enjoy because I don’t think I have a chance again to come more and more time like that with the nice and good friends. Good time always end so fast, we have to say good bye to this place. Pack our heart and backpack,and this time start from Botak to the Kem Kor (@_@). 

Along the way back, of course we are not forgotten to pack back our rubbish that we left on day 2 and day 3.Lastly we reach kem site. This night we gather and talk quiet long long time.

Day 5, we back like our 1^st day way. Feel like don’t want going back. Don’t know why feel like this way back so long, may be because of yesterday too tired so today walk a little bit slowly. But slow slow also reach de. Actually along the way, this 6 day trip, I still thinking, why I have a chance can go, can join them. Hope I didn’t burden them my attitude not make anybody have hard feeling. I take this change to say “Sorry” to you all if I did anything wrong.

Along this trip, the happiest is, I get a call from you “Lau Si”. Cause if other member calls me to go, I maybe still has hesitation. I feel like I get ensure form you all. I have to thank Bee Suan, because of you, I get to know ODA again. Why I said again, because last time when I am study at TARC, I been looking you all back packing and gather there so I go to college to look after all the society to search this hiking society. Lastly also can’t find, it like mystery in my mind. Now can join you all go hiking to Tahan I more happy ever than others. Again and again I want to thank you all, Thank You ODA, Thank You Lau Si because you all, you color my life, beside my life in study, working, I learn other outdoor spirit and knowledge. ”The chance always is ready to someone that is always ready”. So I still learning and get prepare myself, hopefully I don’t  take too long time in learning. (^-^)~

Day Hike to Gunung Nuang-''Simple pleasures''

With a couple of days left until August trip,which we are pretty much looking forward to, another trip has been put into the list mainly for training purposes.
Besides, bringing Puffy and Picca for vacation into the jungle is always what been wished. These were all good reasons to do this hike.

After such a great hike on last weekend, today's hike was anti-climactic, VERY anticlimactic.
Plan been changed after we realized that Monday is actually a public holiday for certain states.

And it's Monday that has been involved and thus the idea of going for a hike with Dr Kee and Dr Ng arisen as this is indeed, what has been discussed for long  and still yet to make it due to the vary schedule, that someday we able to go for an outing together with their doggies along as well.

And finally we made it!!!
The day followed by a news that Li Chear will be joining along too which has added much colour to this trip.

We decided to go back to Gunung Nuang trail head instead of places where we could easily access with vehicles. Since Dr Kee and Wen Ching have some tasks to take care of in the morning so we departed right after that, and thus we will be going to the river side but probably not beyond that as the day can not fit a journey too long.

Gunung Nuang is very popular in the city, we do expect a crowded trails as it is holiday and many would like to have a leisure hike up this trail.

This is Dr Kee and Brandi gaining the elevation.

Its Brandi's first time outing, exploration into the jungle and yet she has a very good physical strength.

I'm glad that people are getting out and appreciating the wonderful wild areas in the desert. But then what that might bring can be worried . There are already some signs of abuse like graffiti on some rocks and shelf that been built at each resting point.

Adviser asked,: How many times we have been to this trail in the year?''

We indeed have done this hike numerous times this year, but today, we have seen something new.

The trail is well-maintained. And one thing i've discovered here is the area has very good signage along the way up. And many sign boards has been replaced since he last time we were up here.

The dogs are very excited to go further. You never know what you might find.
Brandi is ready to go! She keeps looking back at me as if to say, "Hurry up!!".
I think they looked ahead and saw the steps going uphill. This was the toughest part, though. Once you're past this it's pretty much a breeze.

Brandi explored around a little and decided to wait for Dr Kee. And Dr Kee shout out to her ''not too far ya...'' She will run towards to her owner. How sweet of them!

As we headed up the trail and mercifully it is fully engulfed in shade.

I love the cool temperatures, the lush vegetation and the shade.

The air temperature is moderate but it actually feels very tolerable, even comfortable.

After walking up a seemingly endless sand dune, we get to a little more stable surface.

It's been few times here though, the trails all the way up is reall steep indeed.

Here comes the rest point near Lolo campsite, which was our destination.
The flowing water was icy cold, I carried Brandi crosing the river and i let her down at a point when we almost reach the other side.
She started shivering and i found that her legs wasn't standing!!!
I guess this was her first time with the river-crossing too....
Picca was as usual as how she ws jumping around, rock after rock showing off . She always have fun with the water provided that the water level isn't too deep for her.

The weather was a little upsetting these few days but there wasn't any sign of the rain.
Unfortunately, the rain held off the minute we reached Lolo Camp. Instead of having our fine lunch moment just right beside the river, we were forced to settle down at the .....
Somehow, the rain didn't cause much of displeasure.

Everybody was hungry at the time, so we settled down and prepared for lunch as we have brought along noodles, bevereage and grapes while they have prepared Pau and milo too.
''Cooking in the jungle is ever the first time for us...', said Dr Kee.

Cooking in the jungle is fun ya? Haha.
While we were preparing for meals, some noises from the dogs been heard in just a fleeting moment.
Wonder what has caused the clash, Puffy was a little upset but we believe soon she will be fine as her recovering skill is very good. She has grown up.

 

While this trails up feels like it is so isolated and wild,although it is just a short distance from civilization.

Fine companionship, which has been the one constant of our adventure today.

We had a very pleasant little outing this holiday, although the rain catches us up. Maybe next time we can stay a while.

And as much as the dogs loves going hiking, I think they'll be glad to get back and get some water.