MT. DATUK (843 m) DAY TRIP - 6 AUGUST 2006

This trip was unplanned. Supposed to go Nuang but did not materialise. Last minute attempted Datuk. This was my third time. First time in November 2005 but no photo captured. Climbing up and down the rocks at the summit campsite was quite scary as I had height phobia.

Second time was one week before Penang Bridge Run but dare not go up the rocks due to height phobia.

This time went with running friends. At first dare not climb the rock. Friends decided to go ahead without me. Waited for them for almost 1 hr did not know why took the so long to come down. Decided to overcome my height phobia by climbing up the rocks slowly and at last manged to see them enjoying the nice view. This time did not miss the chance for group photos on the rocks at the summit. Then, slowly hike down from the rocks before descending to starting point.

MT. DATUK (843 m) (23 JULY 2006) DAY TRIP

My second visit to this mountain. Reach campsite near summit. Dare not climb up the rocks due to height phobia.

CAMERON HIGHLANDS (4 - 5 NOVEMBER 2006)

After hiking had steam boat dinner before heading to MNS Research Centre for overnight. Next day woke up and explore the surroundings before departing to PJ.

MT. IRAU (2,110 m) (4 NOVEMBER 2006)

Did not manage to reach the summit as we had exceeded our cut-off time. Reached Baby Irau (false peak) only.

CAMERON HIGHLANDS 19 AUGUST 2006 TO 20 AUGUST 2006

View from MNS study centre

After a day hike at Mt. Swettenham, spent a night in dormitory at MNS Research Centre at Habu. Sunday, woke up to see sunlight and explore the surroundings of the tea plantation. Later proceeded to Brinchang before returning home.

MT. SWETTENHAM (1,961m) (Day trip on 19 August 2006)

Not much summit photos. View not so nice. Drizzling at the summit.

PINE TREE (1,456 m) & ROTTER HILL (DAY TRIP ON 1 OCTOBER 2006)

Rotter Hill is located approximately 1 km (or 0.5 hr) from Pine Tree Hill.

For the remaining photos, please visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/blueameba/sets/72157601313905014/

Mt. Suku (Day trip on 13 May 2006)

Photos IMG_0171 to IMG_0190 capture images on the way to the starting point of Suku.

Photos IMG_0202 to IMG_0209 capture images of returning from Suku to Simpang Pulai.

MT. SUKU HIKING (26 MAY 2007 TO 27 MAY 2007) SUMMARY AND NOTES

Day	Date	Time	Location	Altitude (Casio)^	Altitude (Official)	Difference	Remarks
1	26/5/2007	1052 hrs	Starting point	840 m	N/A	n/a	At KM 32, Simpang Pulai-Cameron highway
1	26/5/2007	1137 hrs	Small flat area	1,105 m	N/A	n/a	Break
1	26/5/2007	1141 hrs	Small flat area	1,105 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
1	26/5/2007	1149 hrs	Steep hill	1,155 m	N/A	n/a	Looks like false peak
1	26/5/2007	1220 hrs	False peak	1,335 m	N/A	n/a	Break for lunch
1	26/5/2007	1242 hrs	False peak	1,335 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
1	26/5/2007	1259 hrs	Last water point	1,400 m	N/A	n/a	Break.  Collect water for cooking.  Discovered the water safe for drinking
1	26/5/2007	1312 hrs	Last water point	1,400 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
1	26/5/2007	1346 hrs	Summit ridge	1,580 m	N/A	n/a	Break
1	26/5/2007	1353 hrs	Summit ridge	1,580 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
1	26/5/2007	1445 hrs	Campsite	1,725 m	N/A	n/a	Arrived at campsite
1	26/5/2007	2302 hrs	Campsite	1,705 m	N/A	n/a	Time to zzzzzzzz
2	27/5/2007	1004 hrs	Campsite	1,710 m	N/A	n/a	Depart for summit
2	27/5/2007	1020 hrs	Summit	1,735 m	1,797 m	3.57%	Arrived at summit
2	27/5/2007	1023 hrs	Summit	1,740 m	1,797 m	3.28%	Snap photos
2	27/5/2007	1033 hrs	Summit	1,735 m	1,797 m	3.57%	Depart for campsite
2	27/5/2007	1046 hrs	Campsite	1,710 m	N/A	n/a	Arrived at campsite
2	27/5/2007	1049 hrs	Campsite	1,715 m	N/A	n/a	Packed backpack and photography session
2	27/5/2007	1056 hrs	Campsite	1,710 m	N/A	n/a	Depart to starting point
2	27/5/2007	1138 hrs	Last water point	1,405 m	N/A	n/a	Passed by last water point
2	27/5/2007	1151 hrs	False peak	1,345 m	N/A	n/a	Break for walking lunch
2	27/5/2007	1218 hrs	False peak	1,345 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
2	27/5/2007	1313 hrs	Starting point	865 m	N/A	n/a	Arrived at starting point

 

Notes:

n/a       Not applicable

N/A      Not available

^           Reading from my Casio Protrek Triple Sensor PRG70T Series watch

 

Total trekking time on 26 May 2007 = 3 hr 53 min (including resting time)

Total trekking time on 27 May 2007 = 2 hr 17 min (including resting time) from campsite to starting point

 

26/5/2007

 

Hiking pace = Average

 

Notes:

 

I was on this survey and observation trip on the invitation of Wee from Anakhutan, Penang (http://anakhutan.multiply.com/).  Our journey started from Penang.  Stopped at Simpang Pulai police station to file in the name list of participants.  I knew that there is a water source along the way to the summit.  Stopped at half way before KM 32 mark to collect water.  I was sceptical about the cleanliness of the water at the last water point for drinking.  Decided to collect water at the halfway mark before KM32.

 

The starting point is located approximately 100 m before KM 32 mark on the Simpang Pulai – Cameron highway.  The landscape of the starting point has changed.  I was there on 13 May 2006 with a group of hikers of 12 for a day trip.  At that time, you can still see a water fall neither mini nor big) at the starting point.  Now what you can see is just a quarry.  The nature has been destroyed for the purpose of development. 

 

When reaching last water point, we discovered that the water is safe for drinking.  Collected some water to be carried to the summit.

 

Upon reaching the junction, I was confused which direction to take, left or right.  On the left, there is a marking ribbon sealing off the trail.  On the right, there was another route.  I could not remember which direction to take as more than a year, I have not been to this place.  Some of us including myself decided to explore the left trail.  Others decided to stay back.  We removed the marking ribbon sealing of the left trail.  It was raining.  After 5 minutes hike, we were asked to back trek as some of the members found a campsite. 

 

We continued trekking to the campsite, located around 5 minutes away from the junction.  I was not sure whether this was the summit.  Some hikers said this could be the summit whereas another hiker said there is another higher point away from this campsite as it could be seen from the campsite. 

 

Decided to try out the left route the next day.

 

27/5/2007

 

Hiking pace = Average to fast

 

Notes:

 

Tried the left route at the junction.  Managed to discover a higher ground with a flag pole.  Confirmed that this is the summit.  There is another way down to Irau. 

 

Before descending down from the campsite, the marking ribbon at the left route of the junction was tied back to its original position (i.e. sealing off the route). 

 

Noticed that the quarry area could be dangerous if the work is being carried on.  Landslide could occur at the quarry area as certain part of the slope is exposed to soil erosion (view at the quarry site).  The exposed area was not covered to prevent soil erosion.

 

Overall: Nice view from the summit.  Mt. Chabang, Titiwangsa range and Simpang Pulai – Cameron highway could be seen fro the summit.

 

 

There is a water source at the starting point, i.e. from the pipes used by the quarry workers.  Another water source is from the last water point at altitude 1,400 metres.

 

Author: LIM FANG HAU

Date:    10 September 2007