Lata Naning /Gunong Rajah Meteor Watch- Looking at the Stars !!!

WARNING! Read only if you can withstand incessant yakking.
                 (photos from Vincent's collection)

Group photo at the start

After much waiting to the awaited date since January when it was proposed, the day finally came. The attendees list was fluctuating like the KLSE. First there was 30 which was the maximum then some backed off and then it went full again. On the last few days before the actual date, a few backed off again and finally at the appointed time and place only 18 showed up! I think cold feet causes a lot of diarrhea! Ha,ha,ha.

The whole group delayed 30 minutes to wait for the rest and finally we had to shoot off. After another half an hour or so, we reached Chamang waterfalls. This is the starting point. Suprise, suprise!, we started off earlier than the big group from Johore which was supposed to start earlier and it was not 30 hikers as expected but 60! Before that another group of day trippers started off and also another group from OGKL. 

                                               The coffin!

As usual, the group splintered into different groups, the faster ones ahead and the slower one behind. Somewhere along the logging trail, Ricardo's, (the 

Korean hiker, some called him Ronaldo and some called him Avocado) sole separated from the shoe. I think it was a long time he didn't use his shoes as they looked new. Luckily for him, Vincent had a spare. We finally regrouped at the trail head which the rangers called 'Matau', which was actually a clearing with 3 prominent rocks but I will call it 'three rocks'. We rested for a short moment before proceeding into the jungle. This is where the jungle trail starts. It was an easy route as the trail ascends very gradually with a few makeshift bridges built by the 'orang asli' for their jungle foraging. It was also under heavy foliage and cooling.

                                  Arrival at the 'three rocks'.

The faster group dissapeared into the forest fast and the back markers was 

trudging along quietly. It was uneventful but everyone except Munin and Jaya

was at the river crossing. Farid started off as soon as he saw us and the faster group was here for the past 40 minutes! That's a big gap between the group. I took my lunch here as I did not had any that morning. After that we started off again. It was trickier from here onwards but it's only a 200 meters ascent to Lata Naning and it is only an hour's hike. The altimeter on my watch registered 740 meters above sea level when we arrived in Lata Naning. My trip meter on my GPS registered the distance at 11.4 kilometers from the start point at Chamang waterfalls.

                            Vincent's collection of jungle produce for lunch.

The early birds have already set camp. In total there was 7 camps. Ricardo, Amit and Vincent in one, Bella and Yee Jen beside them, ZH Tan and Ng in another and  finally with Zul and Ann in their white Coleman single tents. The five tents which I named Damansara Heights as they were overlooking the other two tents on lower ground. One of them is mine, ha,ha. Me and Lilian and also Chin with Er Chun Chiang and Jacq. Come to think of it, where did Niklaus sleeps? I knew Jaya and Munin was a pair and their huge bungalow was on the other end. There was a straggler from OGKL group. He was a wee bit overweight and was struggling from the river crossing and he too decided to camp here without his gang who have continued to 'Kem Hijau'.

                                           Damansara Heights

We had a fire going at the center and Jaya, Munin and Farid was restless and 

they decided to move to the peak first and planned to reach the peak of Gunong Rajah by sunset before descending to LWP (last water point) to camp for the night. Then Niklaus, Jacq and Er Cun Chiang wanted to follow, then Amit decided to go as well. So, there was only 11 of us left at the camp site. Though I wanted those going to the peak as a group but it was out of my hands and to be fair, they were much fitter than the rest. We still have Vincent, ZH Tan and Zul (who did not want to hike to the summit) who knows the trail. The rest of us rested and we made a camp fire and enjoyed dinner while joking and Ann was the subject of most jokes. Ha,ha,ha! At one point, while Lilian was getting water from the river, she screamed! A frog frightened her and the frog followed her and hopped in the direction of Ann and she screamed even louder! The frog hopped between her legs and onto the groundsheet. Luckily it did not get stuck between her legs, ha,ha,ha. There were many frogs there.  I too, also got a shock! Not that I was afraid of frogs but while squatting at the river bank filling water, there was this low croak that sounded like Kenny Roger greeting me in a low tone and it was loud!

                             The calm and refreshing waters at Naning.

The rest of those who wanted to hike up decided to start hiking at 10.30 pm

that night. They were Bella, Yee Jen, ZH Tan, Ng, Vincent. The straggler from OGKL also decided to join our group for the ascent. At 9.30pm Zul called out to those who are going to wake up and get ready. Ann decided to move her camp from Damansara Heights to lower ground beside me and Lilian. After they started off, the camp site was quiet. Me, Lilian, Chin and Ann had not much to do except chatting and making fire. Actually it was very peaceful. It was also very relaxing. It was also getting cold and I had to put on my jacket.

We looked at the sky among the trees but didn't see any stars. It was covered with clouds. Dissapointingly we decided to sleep. I can't really sleep as the gushing of the waterfall was loud and I was just at the edge of the 60 foot fall. It was thundering  <music> all night long, all night long <music>. Reminded me of the song. Not Lionel Ritchie but Chris Tucker in Rush Hour, ha,ha.

                   A hairy thingee discovered by Vincent and had a sting by it too!

The usual me, if I am awake, I need tea. "Takde teh, tak boleh jadi", as Mahmud Jun would say. I went to the river bank for water and then, " Hey, the sky was filled with stars. I woke Ann up and together the three of us went to the rocks and lay down there. Each of us was scanning hard at the sky. I managed to identify a few constellation but don't know what it's called. Some weird astrologer, huh? There was the brightest one which could be Jupiter. Then Ann shrieked, "there, there". "Where", Lilian asked back. "That's a firefly lah", Lilian and Ann said together. The stars was getting brighter and clearer and then we all saw one meteor flashed past and it was a mere second! We all saw our first meteor of the night. After another half an hour we saw another one and I saw another one. By this  time Ann and Lilian was sitting a bit higher than me and further from the water's edge. Then Ann said, "Balik tidur lah, cukup lah nampak tiga". Then it hit me, the frogs were croaking louder, ha,ha. I suspect that's the reason for Ann's early retirement.

Back at the camp, me and Lilian can't sleep, so we restarted the camp fire and I gathered some dry branches to fuel the fire. Now I can enjoy my tea and had a chat time with my wife. We talk, laugh and reminisce about our lives, what we have been through and it was a great feeling. Lilian said it was so peaceful and think we should do more camping.

We settled in at 5.00am and at 7.30am, this is the conversation between Ann and Chin. They were loud and clear and I was still inside my camp.
    
         Ann    : "Wah! uncle sudah bangun aah?"
         Chin   : " Sudah lama lo "
         Ann    : " Sudah makan kah? "  
         Chin   : " Sudah makan Oooooat "
         Ann    : " Susah mau tidur lah! Banyak keras, sakit pinggang. "
         Chin   : " Ya kah?

Now, what was that they were talking about? I rolled for a few moments and then unzipped my tent and peered outside. Ann saw and wished, "hai, morning". I greeted back and asked her, " apa yang keras sangat sampai tak boleh tidur, sakit pinggang pulak ". She caught on and laughed hysterically. She explained it was the ground. We ate breakfast and before you know it, it was already 10.00am. 10 minutes later I saw movements in the bushes across. Munin and Jaya showed up. They were the first. I crossed the river and sat with them. I enquired about the group to see if they regrouped and if they are all OK. Munin assured me the second group have all reached the peak. It was kind of relieve to hear that. Munin and Jaya started their descent at 7.30am.

Er Chun Chiang showed up and then Amit Kumar. They were exhausted. Er Chun Chiang shouted to Chin if there was food. Chin replied positively and Er Chun Chiang rushed over and slipped and sploshed into the river. His bag was soaked and quickly he fished it out and took out his hand phone. He took out the battery and tried to flicked it dry but the battery fell into the river. His legs must be really weak!

Slowly one by one, they showed up, tired and exhausted. I was back at the camp and after a while, all was accounted for. From feed backs from Bella, the second group, under Vincent and Zul, was really a tight group. The sense of camaraderie among them was strong. They even waited and pulled up the 120kg (my guesstimation) straggler from OGKL up the rock face. In fact he was already part of our group now. Probably our group was more considerate and accommodating. I saw Munin sleeping at the rocks across the river and it was decided that we will leave at 2.00pm.

Some had their lunch and slept for a while and I was already packing in my stuffs and by 2.00pm we have all crossed the river. Except for Zul, Farid and Ng and ZH Tan (who asked us to carry on first, they will catch up later) we all moved out with Munin and Jaya in the lead. As usual, stage by stage, me and Lilian eventually 'swept' the back. We all regrouped at the river crossing and moved  out again and this time Zul and Farid was at the back. I, Lilian, Bella and Yee Jen was at the back as Bella was prepping and encouraging Yee Jen as she was really beat up. I have to admire her strength as this is her first hike! Yes, first hike! Although a mistake but she made it to the summit. I do hope that she don't give up hiking after this trip. So, Yee Jen, if you are reading this, I will say again even when the others has said, " You just choose a wrong trip, don't give up hiking yet. Try a few more hikes first before deciding." We caught up with Niklaus almost 600 meters from the 'three rocks'.

The logging trail is usually my dread of any trail either here or Nuang. I was already in trundling stage now. Every step is an effort. Even Chin overtook me near the hydro station. There was also strong sun near part of the logging trail and finally I reached the trail leading back to car park. The steep descending trail looks so long. At last we were at the car park. All was still waiting there. I saw all except Farid, Zul (which was behind us) and no Bella, Yee Jen and Niklaus. Then I saw them coming down the slop, they overshot!

We all said our 'goodbyes' and left the car park. Later at night and I SMSed Zul to check on them. I felt better if I knew they have reached and Zul replied that they reached at 7.00pm. Now, I can sleep peacefully and "Boy!" did I really sleep! I was most grateful on the weather. Although the weather 

forecasted thuderstorms for the two days, there was not even a drop of rain and I am thankful for the wonderful weather on this trip.

Bukit Apek, Syiok Syiok saja!

                                                     A rewarding waterfall for the hike!

Gunung Ulu Semangkok was just last week where I made my knee hurt even more. Bella and Chin was discussing about Bukit Apek during the hike. They asked my opinion and I told them," I really need a rest if I were to make it to Gunong Rajah this 21st April." So, it was between them.

During the return to our car, me and Bella left our hiking poles in Chin's 4WD. Bella called her and Chin asked her to pick it up on the trip next Saturday. As the week progressed, my knees was healing and so, I agreed to the hike. We made plans and then I asked Bella if she could lead other hikers in Bukit Apek, since she knows the trail very well. It was like her playground, hiking there without fail every Saturday. I convinced her and then I announced it in KL Meeting's website.

Till midnight, the day before the hike there was 18 hikers who has RVSPed. All gathered without much problem except one hiker which misread my description but he made it there finally. Bella cautioned that on the walk to the trail head, we should keep our volume down so as not to disrupt the residents there who are still in their slumber. With a group like us, that's going to be hard!  Chin was the most prepared man that day, he's ready for camping! I did mention to him that today's hike is just like a day walk in the hills.

                        Group photo before the hike, all look so fresh and nice!

So, the hike starts. Bella has roped in her fellow hikers of the hill to help out. A kind man Palini was willing to sweep. I want to thank all of them. So, I WAS FREE ! Ha,ha,ha. The trail was a well trodden one, the local residents took care of the trail and it was well marked. From the trail head we moved to a small bridge crossing, then on to the 3rd station. The rest of the group was waiting there. Then we proceeded to another rest stop called 'Gold Hill' by the residents. Chin's friend gave up here and decides to return. I got a feeling that this it will be his last hike. Just as I was going to continue, Thai YF jumps in front of me and Lilian. She was with us during the Gunung Rajah survey hike. We changed greetings and chatted for a moment. I heard this was also her regular hiking haunt.

Chin was getting slower at this point but Palini was with him. As me and Lilian reached the 6th station, and then on to the Saga rest stop. Here I saw Jag and company swaying on the hammocks. Chin was resting and since Palini was there, me and Lilian decided to catch up with the group. This is where I met Victor and Mr Tee. I told them I was trying to catch up with the main group. I thought they were going to the waterfall so me, Lilian and Victor went for the trail. We were not sure and then kind hikers directed us. On the way to the waterfall, we bumped into the main group. Ha,ha,ha. Bella was leading and told me, " Aai! how come you are here?" I said, " I don't know." They were on the way to the 'beirut'. We rejoined the main group and went to the 'beirut' which marks the highest point of this hill.

See the two guys on the right. I guess they were new hikers, at least on this hill.

Overheard them saying, "I thought we were here a while ago ? ? ?"

We proceeded to the waterfall after some rest and the usual jokes and banter. The way to the waterfall was familiar to me because we did that during another hike last September. As usual me and Lilian was taking our sweet time at the rear. After a few ascents and descents into a valley, walking on a fallen log, another ascent, we can hear the voices of the group. They were already splashing and playing in the waterfall.We joined them and had a sandwich and the 'Gatorade' that I bought at 7-11 this morning was a life saver. It was here I heard that Jag and her friend tried to catch up with me as Chin gave up. I also felt guilty that her friend fell and hurt herself. I didn't know but I was glad they were OK and they were there at the waterfall.

                                      Nice 'hammocking' time at the waterfall.

After a rest, it was time to trek back. Bella took us back on another trail. The trail was supposed to be easier and more gradual but the ascent to the top first is a 'killer'. From there onward, I was falling to the back and Lilian accompanied me. 'Going home' feeling always plays with your mental fitness. "Why, are we not reaching yet? ", this question always plays with you. It was a slow, uneventful trek back. 

Finally, we returned to Station 3 but Bella's paper trail was not on the trail that we came here. We trek a few steps and then I checked my GPS. The return trail was another one. Then a fellow hiker told me that  Awana is the other trail. So, I took the other trail as advised. The last kilometer was a few steep descents and even steeper ascent. I thought to myself, "This shouldn't be." We were supposed to descent but we were also ascending. The trip meter on my GPS says we have already hike almost 9 kilometers and the moving time

was equal to the stopping time. Ha,ha,ha. We were resting more than we were hiking.

The trait with Lilain was, she is always very eager to return and get it done with. She always leaves me behind at the last few stages. It was up to me to catch up with her. I made a mistake of not taking my hiking pole with me. The descent while catching up with Lilian really hurt my knees. At the last stretch, I saw Bella. She was suprised, " Is that you KT?" "Yes, it's me", I replied. I was faster than the main group. Ha,ha,ha. This has to be the first time. You should see Ann Daim's face (she was really tired) when she saw me taking a short cut. It was priceless!

                                See the red trail, Bella took them on that trail while 

                                             I used back the former trail.

Bella then informed me that Chin was still in the hills with Palini. I told her I would wait for him. Ray Lee came and had a drink with us. The rest dispersed and Ray Lee and Raymond Hah invited me for lunch but I declined as I still need to wait for Chin. I told them to carry on as we won't know how long Chin will take. I was waiting and waiting, I almost morphed into a rock! It was already 2.30pm but no sign of Chin and Palini. I decided to walk back into the trail when I saw Chin and Palini having a 'yum cha' session at the drink stall nearer to the trail. While we were waiting at the stall outside, he was here all the while. At least he was OK and so I bade goodbye and left.

Now I really, really want to rest my knees for the coming Gunong Rajah trip.