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.
No comments:
Post a Comment