Tuesday, September 19, 2006

MT. ULU SEPAT (31 AUGUST 2006 TO 3 SEPTEMBER 2006) PART 1

First of all, I would like to thank Kam Meng on the information on this Ulu Sepat trip and some advice and information given before the trip . This was my first hiking experience to one of the 7th highest summit in Peninsular Malaysia (G7 summit). Initially I was not supposed to be in the team hiking to Mt. Ulu Sepat. Due to some members pulling out approximately 2 weeks before the trip, there were some vacancies. I was informed by Kam Meng on this trip via email 2 days before the hiking trip to Mt. Swettenham on 19 August 2006.

Location: Perak
Height: 2,161 metres (7,091 feet), 7th highest mountain in Peninsular Malaysia and the least climbed G7 summit.
Number of participants: 5
Participants list:
1. Lam Wai Seak (Captain)
2. Ong Siew Chin (Tiger)
3. Jeremy Tan
4. Wong Ken Tat
5. Lim Fang Hau

Equipment:
1. Torch light
2. Gloves
3. Backpack
4. Hiking boots
5. Slippers
6. Whistle
7. Penknife
8. Mess tin
9. Fork & spoon
10. Digital camera
11. Raisin (for extra energy)
12. Solid fuel
13. Clothes for 4 days 3 nights
14. Toiletries
15. Deuter pouch
16. Small knapsack
17. Sleeping mat
18. Sleeping bag
19. Wind breaker
20. Sweater
21. Poncho (rain coat)
22. 500 ml isotonic drink
23. 4 litres of water
24. Extra plastic bags
25. Stationeries
26. First aid kit
27. Flag (Jalur Gemilang)

30 August 2006

Departed from Petaling Jaya at time 2145 hrs for Gerik via the PLUS Expressway. In my mind, I was wondering whether I could reach the G7 summit as this was my first time going to the G7 summit. I was the youngest member and the least experienced hikers among the 5 members. All the 4 members had in the past reached other G7 summit but none of us had reached the Ulu Sepat summit.

31 August 2006 (National day)

Reached Gerik at time 0105 hrs. Checked in into Rome motel, located next to Maybank, in front of the only traffic light in Gerik. Hap supper at nearby a Malay stall and later bathed. Slept at time 0230 hrs.

Woke up at time 0700 hrs and checked out of Rome motel. Our van driver, Hussien, was waiting for us in front of the motel. Tiger went to the police station to lodge a report but was unable to do so as the officer in charge was not around. We just proceeded without the permit issued by the police.

Had our breakfast at a stall located 5 minutes drive from the motel. Packed some Indian vegetarian food for lunch. Reached Hussien’s house to park our car at time 0841 hrs. Later departed from Hussien’s house to Temenggor Lake. Reached Pengkalan Trojan, which is nearby Temenggor Lake at time 0945 hrs. There was a floating police station manned by 3 staff. We managed to lodge a police report before proceeded. We left the jetty at time 1010 hrs by boat to Pos Kemar. At time 1110, we reached Pos Kemar. We had to wait for approximately 1.5 hours for our 4-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle to arrive.

We passed by Kampung Rantau before reaching Kampung Lelar at time 1340hrs. We had our lunch first. We met another group of hikers of 10 from B.P. Guild. They drove all the way by 4WD from Lasah. We unpacked those non-essential items i.e. items required for the last day of the trip at Kampung Lelar. Our guide was Emat, engaged for RM60/- a day and we shall provide him with food and accommodation. I was assigned to carry some food for the first day cooking at the campsite. Other equipment was carried by Emat.

We left Kampung Lelar at time 1400 hrs. Approximately after 15 minutes, we crossed a steam. Approximately 15 minutes later, we crossed a small stream. Later we entered into a big bamboo forest. The route was uphill and down hill with a gradient of around 45 to 50 degrees. Five minutes later, we crossed a narrow bridge. We met up with a member of the B.P. Guild and a guide who was left behind from the main group. We took a short break before continuing our journey. At 1530 hrs, we crossed a small stream. Ten minutes later, we crossed a small narrow bridge. Then, it started to rain heavily. We had to put on our raincoat / poncho. The surface was slippery when raining. The trail at certain path was narrow. I passed by the most dangerous stretch (from my own observation) whereby the path was narrow (can only be crossed by 1 person only) and slippery. I had to lean against the hill slope on my right and hold on to the tree roots and hill slope to cross the slippery stretch. If you are not careful, you may slip down the bamboo forest (approximately 10 metres deep). Our pace was slowed down by heavy rain.

At time 1720 hrs, we crossed a narrow bridge. At time 1740 hrs, we passed by 3 native houses belonging to Emat’s grandparents. At approximately 1800 hrs, we reached the first campsite. It was still raining at that time. We camped overnight near the river. The rain stopped during the night but it was cold at night. The night temperature can drop to 16 degree Celsius. Slept at time 2200 after having some supper.

Stay tune for Part 2 of the report.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Ulu Sepat乌鲁士拔峰 2006 Day 4 photos (3/9/2006)

Fang Hau with Ghee Beng, last photo before leaving Kg. Lelar (Time 0935 hrs)
Temenggor lake view 6 (Time 1017 hrs)
Pengkalan Trojen, here we come (Time 1143 hrs)
For more photos, please visit ths link at http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jasonlfh/my_photos
and select album Ulu Sepat 31/8/2006, Ulu Sepat 1/9/2006, Ulu Sepat 2/9/2006 & Ulu Sepat 3/9/2006. Detailed report will follow in due course.

Monday, September 11, 2006

Ulu Sepat乌鲁士拔峰 2006 Day 3 photos (2/9/2006)

Entrance to the last water point (Time 1101 hrs)
Lam at the summit tree (Time 0920 hrs)

Ulu Sepat乌鲁士拔峰 2006 Day 2 photos (1/9/2006)

Summit photo 2 (Time 1408 hrs)
Trail to Mt. Chammah (Time1325 hrs)
Sunset view 12 at the summit (Time 1920 hrs)

Ulu Sepat乌鲁士拔峰 2006 Day 1 photos (31/8/2006)

Temenggor dam retention wall (Time 1017 hrs)
Boat cleaning by marine police (Time 0937 hrs) at Pengkalan Trojen

Friday, September 08, 2006

MT. ULU SEPAT PHOTOS NOT UPLOADED TO ALBUM

I love this view (unspoilt nature & mossy forest of Ulu Sepat) [1/9/2006, time 1328 hrs]
Mossy forest of Ulu Sepat (1/9/2006, time 1329 hrs)
Ken Tat taking careful steps to avoid the muddy trail [1/9/2006, time 1329 hrs]
Interesting way to celebrate our national day on 1/9/2006 with the flags [From left: Fang Hau, Lam, Jeremy, Ken Tat & Tiger (Time 1413 hrs)]
Evanna (right) & friends and Ghee Beng (left). [Another group of hikers on the summit on 2/9/2006 (Time 0918 hrs)]

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Ulu Sepat乌鲁士拔峰 2006 (Mr. Lam's hiking notes)

Participants :
1) Lam Wai Seak(016-2025528)
2) Tiger Ong Siew Chin(019-2126143)
3) Jeremy Tan(012-2681268)
4) Jason Lim Fang Hau(012-2478525)
5) Wong Ken Tat(016-4384877)

30Aug2006(Wed)
2142 Depart from Tiger’s house at Uptown

31Aug2006(Thu)
0102 Checked in Rome Hotel(05-7912242), which is just next to Maybank(in front of the only traffic light) at Gerik. Paid RM85 for two 3-men rooms
0725 Checked out Rome Hotel. Hussein(019-4209718) with his blue van(ABS 2523) was waiting.
0730 Tiger went to Police Station to lodge report but was told OCPD was on leave & unable to issue permit. We just proceed.
0740 Took breakfast at a hawker center which is just 5 minutes drive from the hotel
0841 Reached Hussein’s house & parked our cars there
0850 Left his house(125m[1]) for Pengkalan Trojan at Temenggor Lake
0924 Reached Pengkalan Trojan(225m), which is nearby Temenggor Dam. There is a floating police station manned by about 3 staff. A few van operators were waiting for passengers
1010 The boat, which manned by Hussein’s son arrived
1016 Left the jetty & sailed along the dam(225m)
1022 Elevation 225m
1108 Reached the jetty(225m) at Pos Kemar. The 4WD not yet arrive.
1243 The 4WD arrived & proceed
1313 Passed by Kg Rantau
1324 Elevation 465m
1339 Reached Kg Lerlar(465m). Met another group of 10 from B.P. Guild, who droved 3 units 4WD from Lasah[2], Sg Siput Utara just arrived. They claimed it took about 4 hours drive & the road surface is not good. They only aimed for Ulu Sepat. A senior guide, Adi was registering the participants. We engaged a guide, Emat, for RM60/day. We shall provide shelter & food for him along the trip & he carried some of our stuff. We also keep some stuff at Adi’s house.
1357 Left Kg Lerlar
1414 Crossed a stream
1427 Crossed a wooden bridge
1452 Crossed a small stream(635m)
1500 Entered big bamboo foreste
1505 Crossed a narrow bridge. Elevation 685m
1506 Took a break. Met a member & a guide from the group of 10, who was left behind from the main group
1532 Crossed a small stream(740m)
1541 Crossed a narrow bridge. Elevation 770m. It started to rain
1717 Crossed a narrow bridge. Elevation 985m
1740 Passed by 3 native houses, which are belonged to Emat’s grand parents
1746 Reached Lanweng Camp(1060m), beside the Lanweng river. It was still raining. Total tracking time is 3h49m. Midnight temperature could reach 16.3°C & lower

01Sept2006(Fri)
0845 Left Lanweng Camp(1040m)
0846 Crossed Lanweng river
1026 Elevation 1545m
1029 Reached a small open area where could view the false peak & Ulu Sepat peak
1037 Elevation 1555m
1041 Reached a flat area(1555m) where is the last water source. We have to descend for about 10 minutes to reach a stream for water(1505m)
1110 Continued tracking
1120 Elevation 1555m
1150 Elevation 1735m
1159 Elevation 1765m
1221 Elevation 1880m
1225 Entered beautiful mossy forest(1890m). There are pitcher plants & other flora
1233 Elevation 1925m
1238 Elevation 1950m
1251 Came across some pitcher plants(1960m)
1323 Reached a Y junction(2095m) where left turn to Chamah. We took right turn
1338 Elevation 2095m
1344 Elevation 2090m
1203 Reached the peak(2095m). Official height is 7091ft/2161m
1710 Another group of 7 from FIC, plus 2 guides arrived. They came to Kg Lerlar from Lasah. They ascend to Chamah, then cross to Ulu Sepat, before back to Kg Lerlar. 4WD from Lasah to Kg Lerlar costs RM800

02Sept2006(Sat)
0013 It started to rain. Temperature could drop to 14.1°C
0927 Descend from the peak(2085m). The track along the mossy forest was very muddy after yesterday night rain
1055 Reached the last water source(1560m) & had a break
1107 Left the last water source(1535m)
1125 Elevation 1405m
1130 Elevation 1340m
1135 Elevation 1280m
1145 Elevation 1190m
1152 Elevation 1130m
1156 Elevation 1110m
1200 Elevation 1095m
1205 Elevation 1075m
1212 Crossed Lanweng river(1030m) & reached the Lanweng campsite(1020m)
1242 Left Lanweng campsite(1030m)
1244 Crossed a small stream
1250 Dropped by Emat’s grand parents huts.
1302 Left the huts(1050m)
1320 Crossed a stream(965m)
1324 Crossed a small stream(950m)
1326 Elevation 950m
1330 Crossed a single logged bridge(945m)
1340 Crossed a small stream(940m)
1344 Elevation 940m
1352 Elevation 930m
1359 Elevation 930m
1404 Reached a flat area(915m) & took a break
1215 Elevation 830m
1418 Crossed a stream(805m)
1422 Tracking through huge bamboo forest(795m)
1425 Crossed a river(785m)
1430 Crossed a stream through single logged bridge
1434 Crossed a river
1438 Reached a campsite(780m)
1441 Crossed a stream(780m)
1443 Crossed a small stream(780m)
1446 Elevation 775m
1448 Crossed a wooded bridge(775m)
1454 Elevation 755m
1456 Elevation 750m
1457 Crossed a stream(750m)
1500 Elevation 735m
1503 Elevation 730m
1507 Elevation 715m
1509 Elevation 705m
1512 Crossed a small stream(700m)
1513 Crossed a wooden bridge(700m)
1516 Elevation 670m
1532 Elevation 590m
1541 Crossed a bridge(550m). It started to rain
1548 Elevation 545m
1552 Crossed a small stream
1553 Reached the T junction(510m) where we took right up to Kg Lerlar
1606 Elevation 480m
1609 Reached Kg Lerlar(495m)
1610 Reached Adi’s son house for overnight, at RM20/night. Dawn temparature around 23.7°C

03Sept2006(Sun)
0938 The 4WD arrived & we left Kg Lerlar(420m)
0941 Passed by Kg Rantau
0950 Passed by a grocery shop
1006 Reached the jetty(235m)
1013 Left the jetty(230m)
1032 The boat engine out of order & back to jetty for repair(220m)
1053 Left the jetty(225m) again
1134 Elevation 235m
1145 Reached Pengkalan Trojan(235m). Hussein is wating for us
1230 Reached Hussein’s house(135m) at Gerik
1300 Lunch with Shum Koon Sang(019-4641210) at 新江酒楼, Gerik(140m)
1424 Left Gerik(155m)
1544 Took a break at Tapah R&R
1800 Reached Tiger’s house at Uptown
[1] Elevation reading by Lam’s Casio ProTrek PRG-90. Reading from the site shall be highlighted
[2] There is a 4WD operator calls Lee Loy Hee(05-5911257) at 53, Kg Lasah, 31100 Sg Siput Utara, who provide 4WD service to Yong Yap, Chamah & Ulu Sepat

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

FREE & EASY HIKE AT MT. SWETTENHAM ON 19 AUGUST 2006

Dear all,

Sorry for not updating for quite some time. It has been quite a busy month in August 2006. To view my photos for the day trip, please go to this link http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jasonlfh/my_photos

and select album 2006-09-03 (MT. SWETTENHAM) and 2006-09-03 (MT. SWETTENHAM 2).