Saturday, March 17, 2007

Gunung Tahan(2187m)

    Gunung Tahan is the highest mountain in Peninsular Malaysia, and there are two ways up. The tougher route up , which is from Kuala Tahan , can take up to 9 days to complete, though most people make it in 6-7 days. The easier route up is from Merapoh, which will normally take 4-5 days. The views you can see as you're about to reach the peak is simply superb , no other mountains match the scenery.


From Merapoh


 


    Merapoh is a small sleepy town nearby Gua Musang, and that's where the other entrance of The National park is situated. It is accessible by road as well as train. However, if you are taking the train, make sure that the train stops at Merapoh, as some trains, the express, if I'm not mistaken , doesn't stop there. From the train station, you can see the park entrance across the road. From there, you'll have to go to the park headquarters at Sungai Relau. There , guides, campsites , and payments for permits such as the entry permit , photography license can be made. It is advisable to reach Sungai Relau in the afternoon, the day before the expedition, so that the formalities can be settled early.


First day.


    The first day usually begins with the mandatory rubbish counting, where every piece of plastic, cloth and rubber is counted, and listed down so that they can check your rubbish at the end of the expedition. This is done to ensure that the trails are kept clean , which is very important as the trails are quite heavily used. For each piece of rubbish lost, a fine of RM 50.00 is imposed. After declaring your rubbish, there is a 4WD - roller coaster ride to Sungai Relau, the actual start of the trek. By the time the expedition starts, it would probably be around 1pm, the camp for the first night will usually be Kor Camp, which is about 4-5 hours from Sungai Relau. There the campsite is big and there is a stream flowing next to it.


Second day.


    On the second day, it is possible to reach the peak, but if you're not in a rush it is more fun to camp 3-4 hours before the peak , either at Bonsai or at Belumut. If you decide to camp at Bonsai, you'll have to bring extra water for the night, but if you're spending the night at Belumut, there is a small trickle of brownish water which can be patiently collected and used for cooking.


Third day.


    On the third day, the peak should be reached easily by 2pm. Try not to rush , because this is where you'll see some of the best sceneries. Take your time, take pictures and enjoy. Gunung Tahan peak is BIG , about the size of two football fields, with the real peak, a small bump with a signboard somewhere on the right.


There is a small pond of water at the peak, but is sometimes polluted , especially during the dry season. It is better to carry your own water up, or hike about 20 minutes on the Merapoh side where there is a small cool stream flowing between the rocks.


Fourth and fifth day


    On the fourth day, you should be able to reach Kem Kor comfortably in one day. Then the next day, trek out to Kuala Juram and wash up while waiting for the 4wd to pick you up .



 


(Extracted from:    http://www.angelfire.com/trek/mofam/Mountain%20Info/gunung_tahan.htm)

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Thursday, March 15, 2007

MT. TAHAN PHOTOS FROM WEE'S SITE




First photo taken on 20/2/2007 at Lata Luis. Next to me (wearing long sleeve shirt with sweat) is Des, Wee's son, and Kiki, both from Penang.
Second and third photos taken on 21/2/2007 at Kubang. I was still having my walking lunch. Penang hiking group "Anak Hutan" group photo.
Fourth photo snapped on 21/2/2007 at Kubang. I was still having my walking lunch. Wee (specky) with Kiki (backpack), Desmond (sitting) and "Long Hair" (in pink colour) from KL.

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Tuesday, March 13, 2007

MT. TAHAN PHOTOS FROM KENNY'S SITE




First photo was taken on 21/2/2007. I was still having my walking lunch whilst other members of the group had left for Belumut.
Second photo taken on 22/2/2007. The 2 'monsters' watching sunrise from the summit.
Third photo taken on 22/2/2007. The person besides me was 'Long Hair' and Kenny Sin.
Fourth photos taken on 22/2/2007. Group photo with 3 teams, i.e. 2 from KL and 1 from Penang.

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Monday, March 12, 2007

Road Tax Reduction & Toll Raise in Malaysia.

Road Tax Reduction
Some Malaysians are very happy with the Road Tax Reduction ...
Let us, take a look at the simple calculations below...

E.g.
Road Tax Reduction = RM50 for 1 year
For per day = RM50/365
= RM0.1370/day (WAU!!!!!! What a big savings for Malaysians)

Syabas !!! To our Government !!!

Toll Raise
Examin ing a situation where a person uses the Kesas Highway from Klang To K.L.
(To & Fro, which means - using a full package on this Highway)

Old Toll Rate = RM1.50 per toll x 6 tolls = RM9.00 per day
New Toll Rate = RM2.20 per toll x 6 tolls = RM13.20 per day
Difference = RM0.70 per toll
For 1 day = RM0.70 x 6 tolls (To & Fro)
= RM4.20 / day

Normal Working Days for Normal Person = 240days / year
For One Year = 240days x RM4.20
= RM1008.00 (Difference bte Old &New Rates)
Full Calculation = RM13.20/day x 240 days
= RM3,168 per year

But Some Crazy Guys Work for 365 days / year
For One Year = 365days x RM4.20
= RM1533.00 (Different - Old & Present)
Full Calculation = RM13.20 /day x 365 days
= RM4,818 per year
For other toll places you can calculate yourself ... using the same method.

If an average Malaysian Salary is RM2000.00/mth. (For easy calculation purpose)
It means he/she will be spending his/her 2 month salary/ year just to pay on his toll.

Syabas again !!! To all Malaysians.... For Being Blind

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Saturday, March 10, 2007

MT. ULU SEPAT PHOTOS DAY 4




still WIP

MT. ULU SEPAT PHOTOS DAY 3




still wip

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

MT. TAHAN TRAIL MAPS




First map is a map showing the trail from Sungai Relau to the summit and to Kuala Tahan. The second map illustrates the route from Sungai Relau to the summit.

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Tuesday, March 06, 2007

MT. TAHAN PHOTOS FROM KIKI'S SITE




Photos extracted from Kiki's site. Photo 1 at Kubang on 21/2/2007. I was having my walking lunch. Photo 2 at summit watching the sunrise on 22/2/2007. Photo 3 at summit on 22/2/2007. The day was getting brighter.

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• The Trail To Gunung Tahan

A suitable plan for a 7-day trek is as follows (see maps and trail profile)


 


Day 1: Kuala Tahan – Kuala Melantai


Day 2: Kuala Melantai –Kuala Puteh


Day 3: Kuala Puteh-Wray’s Camp


Day 4: Wray’s Camp- Padang


Day 5: PadangSummit Gunung Tahan


Day 6: Summit Gunung Tahan - Kuala Khor


Day7: Kuala Khor-Kuala Juram-KL


 


 


Day 1: Kuala Tahan to Kuala Melantai


 


This takes 4-5 hours. Follow the trail out of Kuala Tahan to Rentis Tahan-Trengganu for about two hour. After 11/2 hours you will pass a turn-off to Lubuk Lesong a popular picnic site: this turn-off is sign-posted. After a further half-hour, there is the turn-off for the main trail to Gunung Tahan. This turn-off is not clear and may not be sign-posted.


The trail is fairly flat for some time. Towards the end there is a steep climb of about 100m (flat), before descending to the campsite. The campsite at Kuala Melanti is a bare earth patch surrounded by tall tree. There is a small stream where you can wash-but not swim. The altitude is about 100m (300ft)


 


Day 2: Kuala Melantai to Kuala Puteh


 


            This takes about 8 hours. For most people, this is a hard day. There is usually no water en route.


            The trail starts with a steep 250m climb up a ridge at the back of the campsite. This hill was once know as “Blood Hill’, for a European surveyor who coughed up blood and died on the hillside.


            After about 1 hour, the ridge top is reached. There is a view. The trail goes north along the ridge. You cross a total of 27 little hills on the ridge. At the end of the ridge, there is a 150m (500ft) climb to the top of Gunung Rajah- the highest hill on the ridge.


            Gunung Rajah is 576m (1900ft) high. On the top there are signs of a large fire (probably started by lightning) and a lot of rezam fern have grown up from the ashes.


            Then the trail makes a long steep descent down to the campsite at Kuala Puteh. This descent takes 1-11/2 hours and rushing water can be heard long before you reach the campsite.


            Kuala puteh is an attractive site on the bank of the Tahan River. There is plenty of space to camp. You can fish and swim. The altitude is about 150m.


 


Day 3: Kuala Puteh to Wary’s Camp


           


            This takes 7 or 8 hours. The route is along the Tahan and the river is usually crossed several times. However the distance is short and there is almost no change in altitude. If the water level is low and the weather fine, Kuala Teku can be reached comfortably in 3 hours.


            Before setting out, cut a walking stick to help you in river crossings. There is a good change of seeing elephant droppings along the riverbanks. In fact this is your best change of seeing any animals thought the odds are small.


            There is no fixed trail to Kuala Teku. The number of river crossings depends on the state of the river. Usually one continues upstream along the east bank for about 40 minutes to junction with the Peleting (a small tributary). The first crossing of the Tahan is made here. On the other side, the Peleting is crossed soon after. Provided you stay close to the river, you will eventually arrive at Kuala Teku.


            If the river is in flood after very heavy rain, you may have to wait for the water to go down. This might takes as long as 12 hours (provided the rain stops).


            As you approach Kuala Teku, you will be on the east bank of the Tahan. You must then cross the Tahan to reach the campsite, which is at the junction of the Tahan and Teku River.


            There is an alternative, land route to Kuala Teku. This could be used if the Tahan is in flood. Instead of making the first river crossing near the Peleting, continue along the east bank of the Tahan. Proceed until the vegetation becomes too dense for progress without cutting with a parang (machete-type knife). At this point, climb straight up the hillside at right angles to the river. This can be exhausting: it is almost vertical, the vegetation dense and there are loose rocks. Eventually you will arrive on a ridge top. Here there is an old trail running along the ridge, parallel with the river bellow. Go along the ridge for 1-2 hours. The ridge forks: take the west fork. The trail then disappears and the ground descends. At this point, there is an old trail (marked by parang cuts) down to the river. In any case, go due west down to the Tahan. You will then be almost at the junction with the Teku. The Tahan must still be crossed to reach the campsite.


            The land route must be led by someone with experience of jungle. Kuala Teku is a scenic campsite. You can fish and swim. There is plenty of space for camping. The altitude is 168m (550ft).


            Kuala Teku was the base camp of the first successful Gunung Tahan expedition of 1905. All the earlier expeditions made the mistake of continuing from here up the Teku River. The correct route is up the ridge behind the campsite.


            After reaching the Kuala Teku the track will continue runs up for about 800m (2396ft) though oak forest and pine trees, to a little flat spot just off the trail-called Gunung Pondok Dua (“Second Peak”) the trail will take 4-5 hours. This campsite is also known as Wray’s Camp-after one of the leaders of the 1905 expedition. A distinctive feature of Pondok Dua is the primitive ferns called Matonia Pectinata, which are only found on a few mountaintops in Peninsular Malaysia.


            Pondok Dua is a convenient campsite. Water can be found at a small stream 10minutes scramble down from a point a few yards further along the trail. The altitude is 898m (2946ft).


 


Day 4: Wray’s Camp to Padang


 


            There is no further water between Pondok Dua and the Padang. Water must be carried from Pondok Dua. Immediately after leaving Pondok Dua is an abrupt vegetation change. The trees become short and twisted. There is a lot of moss. The ground is soft and spongy in places. Orchids and pitcher plants begin to proliferate.


            The trail goes along the top of a narrow ridge with long steep drops on both sides. The ridge is very broken and a lot of scrambling is required up and down short vertical sections.


            There are three convenient campsites along this ridge-each on a little peak. The first is Gunung Pankin about 1 hour from Pondok Dua after a steep climb. Another 11/2 hours is required to reach Gunung Tangga Lima Belas at 1578m(5164ft).


            Gunung Tangga Lima Belas is a spectacular place to camp. The summit is very small, about 5m square, with a sheer drop on the west side, straight down into the teku valley. But the view is superb and you can hear the water rushing through the Teku Gorge below. You can see along the whole rock face, across the Teku valley.


            Tangga Lima Belas is very cold at night, because of its exposed position. Wind and mist sweep the ridge and campsite. The trail goes over Gunung Reskit to the base of the rock face on the side of Gunung Gedong, This takes a further 11/2 hours.


            You then scramble up a clef in the side of the rock face. It is very damp and dark. There is an old steel cable remaining from an expedition in the past, which is useful for handholds in places.


            At the top of the rock face, one emerges on a shoulder of Gunung Gedong. There is an abrupt vegetation change: it is now very thin and low-consequence of rocky ground and washed out soil. There is an excellent view back down along the entire ridge. The height here is 1900m (6200ft). Gunung Gedung is on the edge of the Padang- an open plateau with gently rolling hills which stretches out below Gedong.


            The Padang campsite is 300m down from Gedong, on the other side of a small stream. It is at about 1600m (5250ft). A lot of attractive pink orchids grow around this site. There are the remains of two concrete platforms, which apparently date from the 1920-1930 period when a weather station was operated on the Padang. An old abandoned wooden weather station can also be seen high up on Gunung Gedong.


            Flocks of birds sometimes cross the Padang around noon. Elephants have been recored on the Padang (how they get there is a mystery).


            The Padang campsite can be reached from Gunung Tangga Lima Belas in 3-4 hours. The whole Padang can quickly be covered in mist: visibility is then reduced to a few yards. The Padang is very cold at night. Temperatures as low as 4’C have been recorded though 15-20’C is more normal.


 


Day: 5 Padang to Summit Gunung Tahan


 


            In clear conditions, the whole of Gunung Tahan is visible from the Padang. It takes 21/2 hours to reach the summit from the Padang campsite. The trail from the Padang campsite goes north over the plateau for a time and then climbs steeply onto a ridge linking Gunung Tahan with Gunung Gedong. Once on this ridge there is only one way to go and the trail is obvious.


            The ridge drops down into a saddle between the two mountains. This little valley contains dense mossy forest with lots of orchids and other high-altitude plant. It is quite wet and the trees unusually high.


            On the other side, the trail rises towards the summit of Gunung Tahan. The vegetation is very low and heath-like. There are white patches of quartzite rock, particularly on the trail where many boots have worn away the thin soil. Many pitcher plants can be seen.


            The summit of Gunung Tahan is not impressive. There is an iron survey beacon, the original one put up in 1906. Unfortunately, people standing on it for photographs have largely destroyed it; you are unlikely to get a good view from the summit. More often then not, the summit is immersed in mist and there is light rain.


 


Day 6: Summit Gunung Tahan to Kuala Khor


Day 7: Kuala Khor to Kuala Juram


 


          






















































Location


Altitude


Distant


Hour


Kuala Juram-Kuala Luis


309m-306m


1 1/2km


1 ½


Kuala Luis-Lata Luis


306m-558m


6 km


1 ½


Lata Luis-Kem Khor


558m-750m


2.5 km


1


Kem Khor-Permatang


750m-874m


2.5 km


1


Permatang-Kubang


874m-1406m


3.5 km


3 ½


Kubang-Belumut


1406m-1493m


1.5 km


1


Belumut-Bonsai


1493m-1705m


5.5 km


3


Bonsai-Bukit Botak


1705m-1943m


3 km


2


Bukit Botak-Summit


1943m-2187m


2.4 km


1


 


Times to reach destinations are estimations as it varies according to the climber’s level of fitness.


 


(Original source of info.: unidentified, email from Chai Kam Meng)

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Monday, March 05, 2007

MT. TAHAN HIKING (20 FEBRUARY 2007 TO 25 FEBRUARY 2007) SUMMARY


































































































































































































































































































































































Day


Date


Time


Location


Altitude (Casio)^


Altidtude


(Official)


Difference


Distance


Remarks


1


20/2/2007


0111 hrs


Sungai Relau (National Park HQ)


160 m


N/A


n/a


0


Arrived at Park HQ at time 0030 hrs


1


20/2/2007


1131 hrs


Kuala Juram


180 m


309 m


129 m or 71.7%


13 km


4WD ride


1


20/2/2007


1311 hrs


Kuala Luis


220 m


306 m


86 m or 39.1%


5 km


Start hiking, water source


1


20/2/2007


1451 hrs


Lata Luis


495 m


558 m


63 m or 12.7%


6 km


Target to go beyond Kem Kor, water source


1


20/2/2007


1603 hrs


Kem Kor


670 m


750 m


80 m or 11.9%


2.5 km


1st night camp, water source


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total


13.5 km*


 


2


21/2/2007


0826 hrs


Kem Kor


645 m


750 m


105 m or 16.3%


0


Start hiking, water source


2


21/2/2007


0918 hrs


Permatang


765 m


874 m


109 m or 14.2%


2.5 km


Not suitable for camping, water source


2


21/2/2007


1134 hrs


Kubang


1,295 m


1,406 m


111 m or 8.6%


3.5 km


Walking lunch, water source


2


21/2/2007


1254 hrs


Belumut


1,395 m


1,493 m


98 m or 7.0%


1.5 km


Walking lunch


2


21/2/2007


1611 hrs


Bonsai


1,655 m


1,705 m


50 m or 3.0%


5.5 km


End of muddy trail


2


21/2/2007


1820 hrs


Bukit Botak


1,895 m


1,943 m


48 m or 2.5%


3 km


Dinner, watch sunset, water source (last water point)


2


21/2/2007


2050 hrs


Mt. Tahan summit campsite


2,115 m


2,187 m


72 m or 3.4%


2.4 km


2nd night camp


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total


18.4 km


 


3


22/2/2007


0646 hrs


Summit


2,135 m


2,187 m


52 m or 2.4%


0


Watch sunrise


3


22/2/2007


1403 hrs


Gunung Gedung


1,810 m


2,055 m


245 m or 13.5%


7 km


Descend at time 1000 hrs, water source


3


22/2/2007


1538 hrs


Gunung Reskit


1,625 m


1,279 m


-346 m or -21.3%


1.5 km


Almost 90 degrees downhill slopes, ropes and aluminium ladder


3


22/2/2007


1707 hrs


Gunung Tangga Lima Belas


1,545 m


1,656 m


111 m or 7.2%


2.5 km


Ropes and aluminium ladder


3


22/2/2007


1812 hrs


Gunung Pangkin


1,405 m


1,463 m


58 m or 4.1%


1.5 km


Kem Pangkin, very near


3


22/2/2007


1848 hrs


Kem Pangkin


1,265 m


1,243 m


-22 m or -1.7%


0.5 km


3rd night camp, water source, small campsite


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total


13 km


 


4


23/2/2007


0956 hrs


Kem Pangkin


1,230 m


1,243 m


13 m or 1.1%


0


Water source


4


23/2/2007


1032 hrs


Wray’s camp (Kem Pondok Dua)


1,065 m


1,110 m


45 m or 4.2%


1.5 km


Rest camp


4


23/2/2007


1306 hrs


Kuala Teku


200 m


280 m


80 m or 40%


5 km


Walking lunch, water source, bathing


4


23/2/2007


1901 hrs


Kem Puteh


190 m


137 m


-53 m or -27.9%


7 km


4th night camp, water source


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total


13.5 km


 


5


24/2/2007


0941 hrs


Kem Puteh


150 m


137 m


-13 m or -8.7%


0


Water source


5


24/2/2007


1121 hrs


Gunung Rajah


575 m


571 m


-4 m or -0.7%


4 km


Bees


5


24/2/2007


1236 hrs


Kem Tengah


405 m


465 m


60 m or 14.8%


 


Walking lunch


5


24/2/2007


1600 hrs


Kem Melantai


165 m


291 m


126 m or 76.4%


9 km from Kem Puteh


5th night camp, water source


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total


13 km


 


6


25/2/2007


1026 hrs


Kem Melantai


125 m


291 m


166 m or 132.8%


0


Water source


6


25/2/2007


1428 hrs


Kuala Tahan


130 m


N/A


n/a


12 km


Hiking ends, park HQ


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total


12 km


 


 


Notes:


*          Excluding 4WD ride


n/a       Not applicabe


N/A      Not available


^           Reading from my Casio Protrek Tripple Sensor PRG70T Series watch


 


Total trekking distance = 83.4 km over 6 days 5 nights


Day 1 total hiking time including rest = 4 hrs 52 min


Day 2 total hiking time including rest = 12 hrs 24 min


Day 3 total hiking time including rest = 8 hrs 48 min


Day 4 total hiking time including rest = 9 hrs 5 min


Day 5 total hiking time including rest = 6 hrs 19 min


Day 6 total hiking time including rest = 4 hrs 2 min

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