MT. KORBU & MT. GAYONG HIKING (29 APRIL 2007 TO 2 MAY 2007) SUMMARY AND NOTES

Day	Date	Time	Location	Altitude (Casio)^	Altitude (Official)	Difference	Remarks
1	29/4/2007	1007 hrs	Kg. Chadak, (Ulu Kinta car park)	165 m	N/A	n/a	Decided not to follow Stanley via Kem Seroja.  No 4WD, had to walk in
1	29/4/2007	1138 hrs	Football field, Kg. Makmur	250 m	N/A	n/a	Luckily a motor bike driver (native) was kind enough to take us in (charges = RM5 per person)
1	29/4/2007	1202 hrs	Hut, Kg. Makmur	290 m	N/A	n/a	Walking lunch
1	29/4/2007	1224 hrs	Starting point, Kg. Makmur	295 m	N/A	n/a	Started hiking from Sg. Senoi-oi without any guide.  If cannot find correct way, have to back trek and return to starting point
1	29/4/2007	1226 hrs	Starting point, Kg. Makmur	295 m	N/A	n/a	Crossed the steel bridge
1	29/4/2007	1245 hrs	River	325 m	N/A	n/a	Break.  Crystal clear water
1	29/4/2007	1248 hrs	Logging trek	325 m	N/A	n/a	Continued.  Crossed river.  Not sure whether we were heading towards the right direction
1	29/4/2007	1314 hrs	Logging trek	400 m	N/A	n/a	Some marking left by hikers were tied on tree trunks
1	29/4/2007	1321 hrs	Logging trek	400 m	N/A	n/a	Met some native people and they pointed to us the direction (i.e. go straight all the way).  Decided to tie marking ribbon for every 30 to 45 minutes of hike just in case we had to back trek
1	29/4/2007	1334 hrs	River	395 m	N/A	n/a	Break.
1	29/4/2007	1337 hrs	Logging trek	400 m	N/A	n/a	Continued.  Crossed river.
1	29/4/2007	1350 hrs	Logging trek	465 m	N/A	n/a	Break.  More obstacles such as fallen bamboo trees
1	29/4/2007	1352 hrs	Logging trek	470 m	N/A	n/a	Continued.  Certain path had to squad and crawl
1	29/4/2007	1424 hrs	Logging trek	600 m	N/A	n/a	Break
1	29/4/2007	1430 hrs	Logging trek	600 m	N/A	n/a	Continued
1	29/4/2007	1503 hrs	Logging trek	745 m	N/A	n/a	Break.  Boring logging trek like Mt. Nuang.
1	29/4/2007	1519 hrs	Logging trek	755 m	N/A	n/a	Continued.  Not sure whether heading the correct way.  Just follow team leader
1	29/4/2007	1614 hrs	Logging trek	805 m	N/A	n/a	Break
1	29/4/2007	1624 hrs	Logging trek	805 m	N/A	n/a	Continued.  Had a feeling that this may be the right trek.  Where is the campsite ?
1	29/4/2007	1652 hrs	Kem Pangkin	895 m	N/A	n/a	Break.  Glad to find the first campsite.  We were on the correct trail.
1	29/4/2007	1700 hrs	Kem Pangkin	895 m	N/A	n/a	Continued to Kem View
1	29/4/2007	1809 hrs	Campsite	870 m	N/A	n/a	Arrived at a campsite near small waterfall on left side.  Asked direction from some campers to Kem View.  Go straight and cross a small stream and a mini water fall
1	29/4/2007	1827 hrs	Kem View	900 m	N/A	n/a	Arrived at Kem View.  Ipoh city could be seen.
2	30/4/2007	0924 hrs	Kem View	870 m	N/A	n/a	Started hiking
2	30/4/2007	1031 hrs	Last water point	1,060 m	N/A	n/a	Break.  Refill water.  Brushed teeth.  Washed face and hair
2	30/4/2007	1102 hrs	Last water point	1,060 m	N/A	n/a	Continued journey (Backpack very heavy with 7 litres of water & other group equipment)
2	30/4/2007	1109 hrs	Kem Permatang	1,105 m	N/A	n/a	Break
2	30/4/2007	1113 hrs	Kem Permatang	1,105 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking.  Next target Bongsai Tonggek
2	30/4/2007	1153 hrs	Mossy forest area	1,280 m	N/A	n/a	Break.  Walking lunch
2	30/4/2007	1206 hrs	Mossy forest area	1,280 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
2	30/4/2007	1326 hrs	Mossy forest area	1,525 m	N/A	n/a	Break
2	30/4/2007	1334 hrs	Mossy forest area	1,525 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
2	30/4/2007	1419 hrs	Mossy forest area	1,685 m	N/A	n/a	Break
2	30/4/2007	1423 hrs	Mossy forest area	1,690 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
2	30/4/2007	1426 hrs	Bongsai Tonggek	1,700 m	N/A	n/a	Break.  Met with Malay hiking group (descending)
2	30/4/2007	1443 hrs	Bongsai Tonggek	1,700 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
2	30/4/2007	1640 hrs	Mossy forest area	1,960 m	N/A	n/a	Summit getting nearer.  Sky getting clearer & clearer
2	30/4/2007	1650 hrs	Mossy forest area	1,995 m	N/A	n/a	Break
2	30/4/2007	1658 hrs	Mossy forest area	2,000 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
2	30/4/2007	1745 hrs	Summit	2,145 m	2,183 m	38 m or 1.77%	Arrived on Korbu summit.  Shoulder slightly pain due to carrying heavy load
2	30/4/2007	1747 hrs	Summit	2,145 m	2,183 m	38 m or 1.77%	Thigh muscles slightly sore
3	1/5/2007	0851 hrs	Summit	2,120 m	2,183 m	63 m or 2.97%	Ascend Gayong summit with light backpack
3	1/5/2007	0913 hrs	Mossy forest area	1,965 m	N/A	n/a	Break & continued hiking
3	1/5/2007	0938 hrs	Mossy forest area	1,960 m	N/A	n/a	Break.  Snap photos.  Scenery beautiful than trail to Korbu from Kem View
3	1/5/2007	0943 hrs	Mossy forest area	1,960 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
3	1/5/2007	0950 hrs	Mossy forest area	1,980 m	N/A	n/a	Break
3	1/5/2007	0951 hrs	Mossy forest area	1,980 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
3	1/5/2007	0953 hrs	Mossy forest area	1,990 m	N/A	n/a	Break
3	1/5/2007	0955 hrs	Mossy forest area	1,995 m	N/A	n/a	Met Anakhutan members (including Kenny Sin & Wee) & Forest Gan
3	1/5/2007	1012 hrs	Mossy forest area	1,995 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
3	1/5/2007	1052 hrs	Gayong summit	2,105 m	2,173 m	68 m or 3.23%	Reached Gayong summit
3	1/5/2007	1116 hrs	Gayong summit	2,100 m	2,173 m	73 m or 3.48%	Descend Gayong summit
3	1/5/2007	1215 hrs	Mossy forest area	1,915 m	N/A	n/a	Break
3	1/5/2007	1223 hrs	Mossy forest area	1,915 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
3	1/5/2007	1301 hrs	Korbu summit	2,110 m	2,183 m	73 m or 3.46%	Reached Korbu summit.  Saw Anakhutan descending to Kem View.  Walking lunch & photography session with Forest Gan
3	1/5/2007	1402 hrs	Korbu summit	2,120 m	2,183 m	63 m or 2.97/%	Descend Korbu summit via Kem View trail
3	1/5/2007	1457 hrs	Mossy forest area	1,815 m	N/A	n/a	Break
3	1/5/2007	1501 hrs	Mossy forest area	1,815 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking.  Raining
3	1/5/2007	1529 hrs	Bongsai Tonggek	1,700 m	N/A	n/a	Kem Permatang.  Still raining heavily
3	1/5/2007	1529 hrs	Bongsai Tonggek	1,705 m	N/A	n/a	Could not wait due to heavy rain.  Continued hiking
3	1/5/2007	1700 hrs	Kem Permatang	1,130 m	N/A	n/a	Reached Kem Permatang.  Break
3	1/5/2007	1718 hrs	Kem Permatang	1,130 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
3	1/5/2007	1741 hrs	Last water point	1,085 m	N/A	n/a	Reached last water point.  Break & wash-up
3	1/5/2007	1838 hrs	Kem View	895 m	N/A	n/a	Reached Kem View.  Met up with Anakhutan members and Malay hikers.  Campsite quite full
3	1/5/2007	1852 hrs	Logging trek	890 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
3	1/5/2007	1915 hrs	Campsite next to small waterfall	860 m	N/A	n/a	Reached campsite after Kem View and pitch tent here
4	2/5/2007	1037 hrs	Campsite next to small waterfall	845 m	N/A	n/a	Descend to starting point
4	2/5/2007	1113 hrs	Kem Pangkin	875 m	N/A	n/a	Break.
4	2/5/2007	1115 hrs	Kem Pangkin	875 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
4	2/5/2007	1129 hrs	Logging trek	865 m	N/A	n/a	Noticed marking no. 5 tied by myself on Day 1 hike
4	2/5/2007	1130 hrs	Logging trek	860 m	N/A	n/a	Break
4	2/5/2007	1132 hrs	Logging trek	860 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
4	2/5/2007	1230 hrs	Logging trek	735 m	N/A	n/a	Noticed marking no. 3 tied by myself on Day 1 hike.  Break
4	2/5/2007	1232 hrs	Logging trek	740 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
4	2/5/2007	1253 hrs	Logging trek	605 m	N/A	n/a	Break.  Logging trek too slippery to hike.  Slip down approximately 6 times
4	2/5/2007	1255 hrs	Logging trek	605 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
4	2/5/2007	1322 hrs	3rd last river before Sg. Senoi-oi starting point	400 m	N/A	n/a	Stopped for walking lunch.  Met Anakhutan hikers again.  Anakhutan hikers having lunch.  Stunk by sweat bee while trying to depart from the river.  Had to jump into the river.  Too many bees surrounding my shirt from the back
4	2/5/2007	1352 hrs	Logging trek	410 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
4	2/5/2007	1422 hrs	2nd last river before Sg. Senoi-oi starting point	345 m	N/A	n/a	Break.  Wash up at river side and rest.  Noticed Anakhutan hikers coming.
4	2/5/2007	1441 hrs	2nd last river before Sg. Senoi-oi starting point	345 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking with Anakhutan hikers
4	2/5/2007	1459 hrs	Starting point steel bridge at Sg. Senoi-oi	320 m	N/A	n/a	Break
4	2/5/2007	1506 hrs	Starting point steel bridge at Sg. Senoi-oi	315 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking under hot sun
4	2/5/2007	1601 hrs	Kg. Chadak (Ulu Kinta car park)	200 m	N/A	n/a	Arrived at the car park after taking motor bike ride, arranged by Forest Gan
4	2/5/2007	1656 hrs	Toyota Avanza	205 m	N/A	n/a	Left Ulu Kinta for Kuala Lumpur

 

Notes:

n/a       Not applicable

N/A      Not available

^           Reading from my Casio Protrek Triple Sensor PRG70T Series watch

 

Total trekking time on 29 April 2007 = 7 hr 58 min [including resting time (from Kg. Chadak to starting point, halfway by motor bike ride = 1 hr 55 min and from Kg. Makmur (steel bridge next to Sg. Senoi-oi to Kem View = 6 hr 3 min)]

Total trekking time on 30 April 2007 = 8 hr 21 min (including resting time)

Total trekking time on 1 May 2007 = 10 hr 24 min (including resting time)

Total trekking time on 2 May 2007 = 4 hr 22 min (including resting time) until the starting point of Sg. Senoi-oi.  Then had to hike for another half an hour under the hot sun to the bamboo hut near the native village. 

 

29/4/2007

 

Hiking pace = Average

Plants observed: Oil palm trees, bamboo trees,

 

Notes:

 

We were supposed to follow another group of hikers, led by Stanley, to Korbu via Kg. Makmur route.  To enter, we need to take 4-wheel drive ride.  We arrived at around 9.30 a.m., half an hour late after lodging our trekking plan with the police.  At first, we went to the nearest police station near the dam to file in our report but we were told that this police station only conducts search and rescue operations upon receiving reports from other police station.  We were then directed by the officer to file in our trekking plan and permit with the Tg. Rambutan police station.  Upon arriving at the station to file in the trekking plan, one of the officer asked whether we had the permit.  I handed the permit, name list with emergency contacts and hiking plan to the police officer.  Noticed one of the officers holding a stack of file comprising name list and hiking permits.  After informing our checkout time from the jungle, we proceeded to Kg. Chadak.

 

The 4WD chartered by Stanley did not turn up.  Stanley decided not to go by Kg. Makmur (longer, last water point to the summit need almost 7 hrs) but use the Kem Seroja route (shorter, last water point to the summit only 2 hrs+).  To enter, a motorbike ride is needed.  The charges was around RM40 to RM50 per ride per person.  Some members decided to follow Stanley but I personally felt that we should not follow Stanley due to the following reasons (from my own opinion):

1.         We already filed in our hiking plan, permit and emergency contact list the Tg. Rambutan police station, friends and family members.  We should not change our hiking route for safety purposes even though the hike would be led by experienced hiker.

 

2.         In the case of any emergency situation, the search and rescue team would know where our hiking direction.  Changing the hiking plan at the very last minute would make things difficult for the search and rescue team, if required to conduct a search and rescue operations.

 

3.         The last reason was the expensive motor bike ride.

 

We started walking to the starting point at around 10 a.m.  We decided to go by ourselves via Kg. Makmur route without any guide.  In my opinion, the group of 4 hikers had made the right choice by not following Stanley.  The team leader had earlier on (in late March) done a survey until the starting point (steel bridge at Sg. Senoi-oi).  Walked until after one hour and took a motor bike ride to continue to save our energy and time.  Charges = RM5 per ride.

 

At around 12.30 p.m., we started our hike from the steel bridge.  We were informed by the team leader that there is no guarantee that he could find the correct way to the summit as he had not used the trail before.  In the case that we cold not find the correct way, we may have to back trek to the starting point.  I was not so confident of going in a team without a guide but we decided to try out the route as we had prepared ourselves with the relevant survival gadgets.  We had to depend on the information given by other hikers who had hiked the trail before.  There was a possibility of night hiking since we started quite late.

 

For every 45 minutes of hike, I tied the marking ribbon to the tree branches on my right side.  The marking ribbon started from no. 1 until no.8.  This was meant to guide us down in case we had to back trek.  The marking ribbon with numbers could also indicate an approximate duration of time to another destination when hiking down. 

 

The trail was obvious and clear.  Noticed some markings left by previous hikers.  After reaching Kem Pangkin, I knew that the trail was correct.  After reaching Kem View, I had tied 5 marking ribbons along the route.  We were lucky as we need not do night hiking.

 

30/4/2007

 

Hiking pace = Average

 

Plants observed: Pitcher plant and Bonsai trees

 

Notes:

 

Another 3 marking ribbons were tied along the way up the summit.  This was the toughest hike for the day.  The hike to the last water point to us one hour +.  The trail to the last water point was slightly dangerous.  At certain stretches along the narrow cliff that was exposed to soil erosion and landslide, we had to hold on to the tree trunks to move around.  From the last water point to the summit, it took us almost 7 hours.  Had to bear with the heavy loads as I was carrying almost 7 litres of water from the last water point to the summit for personal and group usage.  When reaching the summit, my shoulders were slightly painful and my thighs were slightly sore.  These were due to the heavy loads carried in the backpack.

 

At altidude 1,850 metres, I was nearly stunk by bees.  We were advised by some Malay hikers to be extra cautious when passing through the bee hive after Bongsai Tonggek.  Most of them were stunk by bees.  The bee hive was covered with a black garbage bag on the tree trunk.  We had to move slowly, separately (not in one group) and try to avoid touching any plants.  I was so scared (had to yell) when passing through the bee hive as I heard some bees flying near my neck as was running passed the bee hive. 

 

We were supposed to cross over to Gayong to meet Kenny Sin of Anakhutan.  One of the members had a bad cough and it was 6.15 p.m. after resting since we arrived on the summit at 5.45 p.m.  We were then advised by Stanley’s group (arriving at the summit one hour earlier via Kem Seroja) to go the next morning.  For the group’s safety, we decided not to proceed with the hike to Gayong.  If we were to go, we would have to do night hiking which is dangerous.

 

1/5/2007

 

Hiking pace = Average to fast

 

Plants observed: Pitcher plant and Bonsai trees

 

Notes:

 

The hike to Gayong was quite relaxing and the view of the mossy forest was magnificient.  On the way, we met Anakhutan hikers led by Kenny Sin and Forest Gan, the guide for Anakhutan. Reached Gayong at around 11 a.m after almost 2 hrs of hike with light backpack.  Before reaching Gayong summit, we took the left turning.  The team leader realised that the trail was going downwards (wrong direction) and we had to back trek and took the right direction to the summit.  The left turning near the summit leads to the Trans Titiwangsa trail.  Left Gayong summit at around 11.15 a.m.  Arrived at Korbu for walking lunch at around 1 p.m. 

 

Descended from Korbu at 2 p.m. for the campsite after Kem View.  Noticed that he trail to the bee hive at altitude 1,850 metres was closed by Anakhutan members.  A new trail along the cliff which is next to the bee hive (on the left side of bee hive) was opened by Anakhutan members. The team leader viewed that this was slightly dangerous to walk on the cliff next to the bee hive as the ground was very soft.  Anyway, thanks to Anakhutan for opening the new route along the cliff.  This minimised the chances for us to avoid getting stunk by bees.

 

Was asked by team leader to move infront as he was accompanying the other two members from the back.  Decided to hike at a fast pace and wait for them at Bongsai Tonggek.  Upon reaching Bongsai Tonggek, it was raining heavily and I decided to speed downhill to the last water point.  Managed to catch up with the 2 Anakhutan lady hikers accompanied by a sweeper.  Chit chat with them and zoomed passed them as I was trying to locate the marking ribbons that were tied by myself on the second day of the hike.  I decided not to rest at all (even though I was thirsty) and kept on speeding downhill until I found the marking ribbon.  Along the way, found 3 marking ribbon and rested 3 times. 

 

We were united back after the last water point.  Noticed Kenny Sin braving the rain to hike up himself from Kem View to a location near the last water point to look for his member and helping his members to pass through some difficult stretches.  Hiked together until Kem View.  Later we left Anakhutan members at Kem View for the next campsite.

 

Felt sleepy and tired after dinner, due to long hiking hours.

 

2/5/2007

 

Hiking pace = Average

 

Plants observed: Bamboo trees and palm oil

 

Notes:

 

Left the campsite quite late at around 10.37 a.m.  Met Anakhutan members at the 3^rd last river before Sg. Senoi-oi starting point.  Had my walking lunch there.  That place was infested by bees.  I was stunk by a sweat bee on my right arm.  I had to jump into the river as more bees were surrounding my shirt.  Hiked together with Anakhutan members back to the starting point and the bamboo hut at the native village.  Thanks to Forest Gan for arranging the motor bike rides for 4 of us to get back to the Ulu Kinta car park.  This saved our hiking time and energy.  The charges for motor bike ride were RM10 per ride.

 

Overall

 

This was the toughest hike I ever encountered.  We were supposed to follow the other team who will be leading us but we ended up looking for our own ways up the summit without any guides at all.  Quite a risky hike but I enjoyed this hike.  The trail was obvious with clear markings left by other hikers. 

 

I dislike getting stunk by bee and the scar is still visible on my right arm. Some scars still visible from my legs due to sand flies bite and leach bites.

 

 

Author: LIM FANG HAU

Date:    28 May 2007