Bukit Kutu Revisited. "Ascending is an option but descending is mandatory!"
I got an invitation from Raymond for a hike to Bukit Kutu and I acccepted the invite and I pulled in Lilian for the hike too. The last time we hiked up was on the first day of Chinese New year (can you belief how bored we were during the festivities!). The former trip was organised by Alex KL Hiking. It was quite tough for me then and it's about time for me to really gauge if I have improved.
As I have to pick up my daughter from work right after the hike, I did not offer any car pooling for this time. Bella was not able to make it and Patrick has to work Saturdays. The last hike in Angsi made me make an effort to wake up earlier so I can have a proper breakfast. I have informed Raymond that I will make my way to the trail head myself.
Contrary to most says, the big rock is actually quite
a distance to the peak!
I reached Kuala Kubu Baru (KKB) at 7.00am but the intended Hainanese coffee shop was still not opened. The shutters were partially opened but the young chap closed it tighter the moment my car was parked in front of it. So, me and Lilian went opposite for 'mamak' breakie. On the tables were 'nasi lemak bungkus', my favourite actually. I had a slow and leisurely breakfast, no rush and I was at Pertak trail head at exactly 7.45am as I promised. I was the first there but I had a good chat with one Encik Saiful from Putrajaya. In fact they were the group that has carried aluminium ladders to replace the rickety wood ladders at the summit. 'Thank you' to them for the effort. He also mentioned that another old trail has been found. The old trail from Ampang Pecah (the old Kuala Kubu before flood destroyed the town) and they will be doing a hike on the old trail after the coming Hari Raya. I immedietely got hold of his contact and wanted to join the hike. He explained that it will not be disclosed yet and somewhere in the forest, an old locomotive was also found. There was a railway line here to ferry natural resources from Pahang to the Port town on the west coast. This was the only way to the east coast then as there were no Karak highway then. To safeguard the find from 'besi buruk' dealers, it will be kept secret for the mean time. The idea of a 'trans Bukit Kutu hike' is exciting, meaning ascending from Pertak and descending in Ampang Pecah. Off course, the logistics must be arranged but the distance is short so it's not that hard.
The 'Gates' to Bukit Kutu.
Back to the hike, the rest arrived shortly after 8.00am and by the time we started, it was already 8.30am. "You know me lah!" I always take the last place. Easier to take a pee and also fart if I need to. "What to do, old liao!" They were all there at the river crossing which I listed as Riv 2 on the chart. I really hate taking off and putting on the shoes back. I can barely stand on two legs let alone one! I must order a hiking shoes from Hitec that stretches to the thighs. So, I don't have to take off my shoes for river crossings like these. Mine now is only water proofed to the ankles.
River crossing at RIV2
We hike passed durian orchards and suprisingly, there were some fallen ones and at the first hike in January, there were also in season. Since when is durians available all year round from the same orchard. As me and Lilian slowly trekked up, I met Raymond sweeping two new hikers. One of them was nearly blacked out! He wanted to turn back but Raymond won't allow it and I too persuaded him to take a long rest. I offered some rehydrating salt to him and also some balm for his dizziness. So, the 5 of us were trekking at a very slow pace to accommodate him. We just want to make sure he make it. Usually if they are no coaxing and if he returned, this new hiker will definitely not hike any more!
Trekking into orang asli's orchard where they have put
up a notice warning barring hikers!
At 'Checkpoint 5', the front group was not there anymore. They have all move up. We took our time though as I too like a slow trek. After a satisfying rest, we continued and the pace seems to quicken from here onwards. The newbie was actually hiking faster than me and Lilian. After 'checkpoint 7', Raymond shoot off first. It doesn't matter as I can sweep and furthermore the two newbies was in fact hiking faster than me and Lilian. Although they were faster they did wait up and rest too and they were always within sight. The trail was cleaned up and direction signs posted everywhere and hard trails were blocked and easier trails retained even though they are longer. I heard the Fire Department is responsible for this.
Our friend nearly gave up! In the beginning he was hiking at a
wrong pace. Luckily we have Raymond as organizer.
I reached the top and they were all resting at the peak just below the boulder. Just the same as the last, I did not climb the boulder as there is a bad haze around, so there are no views. Raymond looked at me and Lilian and asked us, Where are the two new hikers?" I answered, "They were in front of us". They must have took a wrong turn but the trail leads to the same point. Just about that time, they appeared amid cheers from the group.
All enjoying resto-ology until some fitter than most
wanted to run.
A few minutes later another part of the group appeared, they were visiting the old sanatorium. Then Victor asked, "Where's KT.Wong?" I raised my hand and said, "Here!" I thanked Victor for his concern but I was not the last one up this time, heh,heh,heh! 10 minutes later, Madam Yoga urged all to start descending. She was adamant despite protest from Raymond and honestly I was protesting too. Then she used the cloudy skies as a good reason to descend. I was wondering how she sees thorough the haze. Yee and some others said there were no group photo yet. We all then agreed to have the group photo at the chimney stack.
What's left of the old sanatorium!
There was a photography enthusiast that was still atop the rock and he too, I suspect is not really keen to descend yet! At times I cannot fathom the logic that some hikers have. Why do they take 3 hours to ascend but wants to descend the moment they reach? What's the hurry? I can understand those that needs to be somewhere at a certain time but those not doing anything, I am puzzled. Hiking with Raymond is great, to me though. No hurries, no time constraint, in fact I think that's what hiking outings should be. Why do people wants to keep chasing time? Isn't doing that 6 days a week not enough? Why want to pursue time even when you are trying to enjoy doing something you like. I suspect those chasing time are not there to enjoy, they must have some other agenda or their biological clock is ticking at the same rate. There are many hikers who likes photography, some likes nature, some like botany, some likes mineralogy and myself, I just love REST-ology also known as replenishinology. I known some like runninology but at least try to give and take as we are a group, I dare say all have different attitudes towards hiking.
What's left of the old colonial bungalow.
Slowly one by one, we all trudged down. I was the last with Lilian in tow or rather Lilian had me in tow. Half an hour into descent, I met Saiful again with three hikers in tow. We chatted a while and wished each other goodbye. At 'checkpoint 5', the big rock, I saw a group resting there and since there was no place for me to rest, I continued descending. I thought of having a bite and rest. All along the trail from 'checkpoint 5' to 'checkpoint 4', the trail was literally full of hikers lying down, sleeping, resting, sighing, cursing etc. Then I saw one more appropriately attired for the hike. I enquired," Siapa organise ni?" He answered proudly, "Sayalah". Then I told him, "You mesti kena marah kau-kau punya kat atas. He queried, "Kenapa?" "Banyak dah pancit tengah jalan,"I answered. He was chuckling and then we bade goodbyes.
Further on down, I met another 2 organisers of the group. I chatted with them and they told me they are from the Sunway Group and there were 50 of them. They plan to camp at the peak for the night. We chatted and joke for a good 10 minutes before I continued. He told me of a 'running auntie' in green T-shirt. "That must be the 'Madam Yoga", I said. I told them, " Mungkin dia lapar kot!" I think Bukit Kutu is not suitable for a social event of an organisation. A waterfall somewhere is more appropriate. Some have never hiked before and I noticed there were 4 with soles of their shoes wrapped with duct tape. Some of them will surely remember this outing for life!
When I reach the orchard area, I took a durian and using my folding knife, I pry open one. It was raw and I spilled blood doing it. It must be raining or windy last night. The fruit don't fall unless it is ripe and this must have been blown off from the branches. I saw part of the group drenching themselves in the river and since we are near to the car park, I didn't bother to take off my shoes. Same with Lilian, we trudged into the river with the shoes. I waited a while for them to get ready and off we go again. Usually my mind is weak here. Just like the logging trail in Nuang and Rajah, we are anticipating the trek to end. The trail seems to go on and on. Finally the first bridge and then the second.
I had lunch with Raymond at the same venue as the time we went Ulu Semangkok the last trip. We wanted to try out a good spot that was mentioned in one of the dailies but it was closed. They closed at 3.00pm but it was already 4.00pm. We had our meal and then we went off our separate way. I decided to take Ulu Yam route this time back as Rawang was always jam just like the many times I experienced and today is Saturday and not Sunday. I reached KLCC at 6.15pm and there was another 45 minutes before my daughter finish work. In our dirty garb and sweat smelled bodies we bought two cups of 'Gong Cha' or literally in English 'Silly Tea' and sat at the atrium until 7.00pm.
Conclusion, I think I have somewhat improved on my hikes but the speed cannot be improved. Mentally I have improved as I don't have shivers looking at steep inclines because I know I can hike it. I can't improve on speed though because if I try to follow the front group, I will disrupt my rhythm and breathing. This is probably due to my sinus problem and also my knees. Unlike the others, my descent takes the same time as my ascent and I can still walk around KLCC after the hike means I am better than the last time. As for speed, if some hikers want to hike fast, go ahead but I will keep my comfortable pace. If you cannot wait, please be my guest and go back first, that's why I invested in the GPS anyway. In every hike, I am always prepared to hike even till daylight runs out. Rushing is not an option!
Like a good quote I read somewhere, "Ascending is an option but descending is mandatory!", so pace ourself.
come lets do a night hike. Trek up on saturday nite, camp a nite up at the peak and descend on sunday late morning. Bring ure slr n a tripod. U get to take a panaromic view at sunrise.
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