Pine Tree Hill........as quoted, Going up is optional but going down is mandatory.

I have RVSPed this hike a few weeks ago as it is hard to get my daughter's and wife's holiday on the same day. We were supposed to book a room and head to Fraser's Hill on Friday afternoon but something came up so we abandon our plans and woke up at 3.30am to get ready. I reached quite early, too early in fact, at 6.30am where there was no one around and also it was still dark! I was the first one there, I guess, barring those who were there last night. Anyway, I never like to be late nor like to wait for others too! A fact too unfavourable in my terms especially in KL.

Briefing by Alex.

Alex came next before the other came in droves. It was already past the expected starting time but Alex got a call informing him to hold on as they are on the way. We took the time to have a group photo at the clock tower right in the centre of a roundabout. But after 45 minutes delay (Alex usually don't wait that long) there was still no sign of the vehicle. We convoyed to the trail head  and everybody got ready and listen to a briefing by Alex.

I and Siva was appointed sweeper while Wei Ching took the lead while Alex will coordinate in between. Incidently, there was a few weak hikers and Siva made sure they laughed on every steps of the way. Laughter has the coaxing  and feel good solution on problems especially tiredness. Ha,ha,ha! At this time Mabel and Lilian was also along with us. Alex made sure that Mabel joined the faster group as he knows she's a faster hiker, than her mommy and daddy-lah but not the other supermans and superwomans. I wonder what they eat, probably not much delicious calorie filled foods that I crave so much.

Really cooling and breezy hike.

This group of new hiker actually needs to join nature walks more. They freaked out, really freaked out seeing a harmless millipede. I was behind them all the way until the group splintered into smaller two by two with each group a sweeper. A few while before I reached the false peak, I got a call from Mabel and she was saying I might meet an obstacle later before the false peak. All of us needs to clamber up a nearly 60 feet vertical slope with help of ropes anchored there. And "yes", there's another peak to scale after the false peak!

We started off at almost 9.00 am and it was already 11.30am now and we are just at the vertical slope. By the time we all made to the false peak, Mabel was already on the way to the actual peak. There was a 'lookout point' here and there was also a sign proclaiming that it is the Pine Tree Hill. If not for Mabel's absence here, I would have stop my hike here and Alex asked me if I am going to the peak. I answered," Yes!" He gave me a thumbs up and that is the sign that I must carry on.

The almost vertical slope!

I was still sweeping Kim but she was moaning all the way and was contem- plating turning back after her fingers got pierced by spines from a rattan plant. I wish Mr.Chul was here or there was 'kimchi' on my menu as  she was moaning about her finger. There was nothing I can do except maybe kiss the finger, ha,ha,ha which I did not, obviously! Keep your head clean. On the way up, I saw Daniel was heading down and many were already making their way down, especially those fast ones. I asked if Kim wants to turn back and she was straggling in-between of turning back and going forward to the almost-there peak. Daniel said she was on his car pool list and a little push she was off with Daniel.

I speed up (as if I can, ha,ha,ha) and I met Alex after a while and he was still sweeping the other slow hikers and I was at the back. Alex prolonged the turn around time a little as we were all almost at the top and another hiker was missing. He went venturing into the Semangko trail and was still not back. finally, as usual, I am always the last to arrive. I took a breather, although hungry but was unable to whip up an appetite. I just had a banana and a lot of 100 Plus. The missing hiker was still not back and I can see the worried faces on Wei Ching and Alex. The top was nice and it had a 360 degree view but sadly, it was hazy.

Funny looking cave made of tree roots.

The group was getting smaller as more and more were heading down already. Fortunately, the hiker showed himself and after that we took another peak group photo and then left the peak. I have under estimated this peak. Although we were hiking in between 1200 meters to 1350 meters asl, the number of ascends and descends really tires me out. In two of the ascends and descends, the difference was more than 150 meters. The return trip to the vertical slope was not hard and the lowering myself down holding the ropes was not really a problem for me, Lilian or Mabel.

Me at the peak!

The return trip of this hike is similar to the start. If you ascend long, the descend is long and vice versa. So, there's no advantage of faster descends in this hike, both ways are the same, in fact harder as by that time (it's almost 6 hours already), we were all really tired, I mean real tired!

The designated natural sweeper!

By the 3.9 km mark (which is a camp site with water point just nearby), I was practically dragging my feet. I was unable to lift up my legs. I was really tired and water is running out fast! As they said, "Going up is optional, Going down is mandatory!" But Alex was still behind me, as he was sweeping two other female hikers. I was switching places with Samantha, Jaycee and Lilian. Sometimes they were in front, sometimes us. They were dead tired too. Still the trail goes up and down, up and down, tiring us out tremendously.

Finally we came back to the steps which is a sign that we are nearing the trail head. But there was still 1.9 km. to go and this direct measurement over a map is misleading. The signs were also measured with GPS as they tally with my GPS reading. You can hiked like ages but you only gained 300 meters in distance! The return was really tiring, the moment we descend we know there will be another ascend. The last few ascends were really steep and this practically causes me to pickled in my sweat. In my opinion, the trail is even longer than the Chamang to Lata Naning trail which is 10.5 km one way. I was not this tired doing that. We won't know, will we? The distance measured was in a straight line and the diversion from the line and the ascend and descend was not taken in consideration.

Finally at 6.00pm, we emerged from the jungles. There was still Alex behind there sweeping. EC Chan was there while many has left and a few went for tea. Luckily EC Chan has extra water as ours are all dried up. 20 minutes later, Alex showed up with the other two hikers and they were estatic to see the road. This is a real tough one and I won't be doing it again soon.

Dinner time!

They were all having a blast at the tea house when I passed them, I can hear their laughter but I was now hungry for real food. Still pickled in my sweat , I went to the 'Kedai Kopi' , the only one there, I think, to have rice. The drying sweat makes me cold and cool breezes was blowing  and we sat outside. Nothing like a hot soup on a cold evening! sitting there, waiting for food, I see lots of tourist from KL, in my opinion. They were also coming for the lousy food dish by this restaurant. They should have brought their own meal, maybe that's just me thinking or maybe since I am a cook by profession, I think differently. As said, the food was LOUSY and also expensive. Anyway, you don't do this daily and I was enjoying the moment, resting my legs and sitting with my family. That's worth the price!


I started back at almost 8.30pm and reached home nearly 11.00pm. Still it was fun day! That matters and also this is another feather on my cap.

Back to Basics.......and it was enjoyable too.

Gunong Datuk, Rembau - 22nd July 2012.

The happiest hikers!

After the Berembun trip twice, we did manage to get to the right trail though, my wrist was still paining after a fall. Add salt to injury, I somehow pulled my achilles because of the weakened knees. I was hobbling for the past week and I skipped a week of activity. The last hike was with Kayee and gang from KL Hiking Group and that's also where I met Alex again after a long time.

Lilian (my wife) has not been hiking for the past two months due to work and she has wanted to hike so much. It was also unfair to her as I only did recce trips with hordes of leeches and she detest leeches! So, I signed up for the KL Hiking trip to Gunong Datuk. Although we have done it before, there's no wrong in doing it again, in fact it might be better as we know the terrain.

Hikers mulling at the starting point.

On the said meeting day, we woke up early, prepared and drove to Seremban for breakfast. I then drove to Rembau via the old Tampin road which was the main trunk road to Singapore many yeas ago. The road has changed! At the junction to Chengkau, I saw the KLH's convoy but I was already passed them when I noticed Alex's car. So, I just drove on to the Gunong Datuk's base station. After the handling out of name tags and so, Alex separated the group into two, the slower ones will move out first and the faster ones 10 minutes later. This is make the gap between both of them smaller so that the wait on the summit won't be long.

My plan was just to send Lilian to join them and wait at the station. But last night I popped two 'muscle relaxant' pills bought from a chinese medicine shop. I popped another two this morning before starting our journey. The ankles were OK and so is the wrist. I suspect these pills sold under the counter are actually pain killers with steroids and maybe 'muscle relaxant' was  part of it. It seemed to work so I joined in the hike.

The steep start!

Alex's faster group appeared just a moments later and I was still with some back markers. Honey Romenza was sweeping Michelle and Jenny at the back and  me and Lilian decided to stick with them since Lilian was out of touch and I was injured! We were noisy and we laughed more at the back. My opinion is, a sweeper has more discipline than a normal or better hiker. A sweeper has more compassion and it takes a lot of patience to actually care for other fellow hikers. For this, I admire Alex and in this case Honey!

The jungle ensemble!

Alex once told me that in Belgium, when there are hiking activities, the slowest hiker is always within 5 minutes of the first hiker. When he said that, our hikers here has the wrong idea that all their hikers are fast and there are no slow hikers. BUT you know how wrong they are. It means no matter how fast there are, they also care and wait for the last hiker.

It will never happen here,that I can be sure as we Malaysians (I am not generalising, please) are glory bound. They want acknowledgements for their achievements and they train hard for that too. That's why I say the sweeper has more courage and patience than the ones at the front. That's my personal opinion though after so many hikes and encounters with many hikers. I mean among the hikers there will be slow hikers, first time hikers even injured hikers, ha,ha,ha.

The steep roots clambering.

As we hiked up and almost near the peak, we felt colder and can see that rain was coming. Like usual, our hikers are all made of paper cartons, they wilt and  decompose in rain, all were already rushing down but we didn't care. We still clamber up. I reached the peak later but I did not want to climb the ladders to the top of the boulders as I know it might be slippery, not a worthwhile risk in my condition. Jenny and Honey went up.

The jubilant Jenny at the peak with Alex and friends.

Another shot which makes nurturing new hikers worthwhile. Look

at the jubilance and happiness in Jenny.

We were drenching at the base of the boulders but we were wet anyway. We waited and most of them went directly down after dismounting from the ladders with some disorientated hikers going into the wrong path but we redirected them. Finally the last few that were left finally came down. All was left was Alex, Satvinder, Siva, Sumi, Alexandre, Michelle, Jenny, Frankie and off course me and Lilian. We did not start down immediately but were joking and laughing.  Especially with Satvinder and Siva around and throwing Alex and Alexandre into the fray, it was havoc. Joking all the way down, we didn't really feel the slippery slopes but Jenny and Michelle did slip and sat on their butt once or twice.

When we reached the broken shed, Alexandre was sitting on the rock just in front of the broken down shed with it's pointed roof. He was sitting so grandeur like and Siva snapped at him, " You looked so comfortable there." I added in, " Yeah! you sitting like the Emperor of China. " Without further delay, Alex was bowing to him, " Shall be go down, Your Highness." We were practically laughing all the way down. I think back markers are more fun, we interact more, know each other better and most importantly, our sense of camaraderie spirit is even stronger.

The tired but still laughing their way out from the jungle.

We finally emerged from the jungles at 2.00pm and I changed into dry clothes and waited a while for the rest. Wei Ching was there waiting and so were a few others. After the name tags check, I said 'goodbye' to Alex and made my way to the car. Satvinder was asking," Why do we do this if it is so tiring and hard?" I answered, " To burn calories." She replied, " We can burn calories in so many ways." I replied, " I think it's the friendship, the togetherness and also the crazy jokes and banter." To this she agreed," That's it!"

I drove on to my usual 'Hakka Noodles' outlet if I am around Seremban but upon reaching there, it was full! Me and Lilian in our dirty garbs felt uncomfortable standing and waiting, we went to another famous Seremban noodles, "Seremban Beef Noodles." We satisfy our hunger and then drove back slowly home.

Till "Pine Tree Hill" then. It's only a week away, again I am sure I am also going to be the last hiker again. Ha,ha,ha.

Bukit Berembun or Is it Berembun?

                                         One of the nice falls we encountered.

Weekend is coming again and my wrist is still in pain. Patrick was suggesting simpler hikes as my wrist was still healing from last week's fall. I replied, " Why not try to finish what we started last week." He answered, " I am all for it!." I think my wrist is manageble, so I thought!

                                             Patrick and Bella looking fresh.

So, same place same time as last week. This time, we have Bella to join us on our exploratory hike. My car broke down at the last minute, so I have to walk to the designated meeting place. It's not so far from my home. At 5.30am I started from my home with a backpack, another bag filled with my hiking shoes and a camera bag with a hiking pole dangling from somewhere. I was apprehensive whenever I saw motorcycles passing but I was facing the traffic. Sigh............... such is living in KL. They were already there when I reached the 11th mile toll plaza so I hopped in and off we go via the 'Lekas' highway.

Patrick and me looking really fresh.

We went to the same 'mamak' shop in Seremban that we patronised last week. We then proceeded to the trail head in Pantai after that. It was only 7.00am then. Without any further delay we put on our hiking shoes and backpacks, switched on the GPS and off we went. We went into a branching trail that we didn't do last week and further on I saw that the trail on this path was more clearer. I also noticed the trail follows the meandering river. It was not steep and the hike was pleasant but there were many fallen logs to clamber over or go under. Some is so big and with my hurtful wrist, I can't go over it but to take off my backpack and go under on all fours.


The forest here was really virgin as mentioned on the notice boards and I mean really virgin. There are no plastic markers tied to trees and no paper trails, just thick carpet of fallen dried leaves which means leeches! After an hour we can hear loud gushing of waterfall and detoured into a smaller trail which leads us to the waterfall. It was nice and refreshing. We took a few snaps and made our way back to the main trail. The trail was still meandering along the river banks. Many times the trail detours around obstacles like fallen trees. After 2 hours hike we came to the end of this trail with a large rock blocking the path. We were still near the river. Patrick clambered up the slope beside the boulder while I and Bella watched.

                                              Wonderful trail

I then noticed an assembly of rock. Three rocks to be exact, one atop each other. A few metres towards the river is another formation which means we have to cross the river. We hollered for Patrick to return and we cross the river afterwards. We looked for signs of trails after crossing but didn't see any. So, We went up the slope and we saw another trail there. On the right was a big fallen tree with branches fanning all over and the only visible trail we saw was to the right. We hiked for 30 minutes before I felt it was not right. We were hiking with the flow of the river while we should be doing the opposite, againts the flow. I checked my GPS and call them to regroup. I told them we are hiking back to our original position and we should go back to the river crossing. They didn't objected so we hiked back to our original position. As we proceeded, I felt some stinging in my abdomen. I told them to carry on and and when they went out of sight, I took off my pants and undies. There it was! The little rascal was among the hairs. I pulled it out and threw it into the bush. It was hitching a free ride with meals thrown in. What a bargain! We have been practically pulling off leeches all the time since the hike started.

                                                              Relaxing at the falls. 

Back at the fallen tree we regrouped. I told Bella about the leech and she wanted to hear nothing of it. Too obscene for her. Ha,ha. Here, we either have to cross back to the other side and try another path or............ I told Patrick to see if there are other trails beyond the fallen tree. He did not see any but I asked him to climb over the trees anyway. He did as said and once there he saw another trail. So me and Bella would have to do the same too. After some effort, both of us are also over the other side.

We are hiking in the right direction now. Again, we were crossing rivers and hurdling over obstacles, dragging leeches off our limbs. There's also a part where we need to splosh through ankle deep mud, black coloured slosh! We have to do that under an arch of low growing vines and leaves. After a while still in the mud we need to go over fallen trees and this mud wading went for about 30 meters. My shoes were covered with the muck and Bella very ladylike managed to keep her socks clean. I wonder how she manages that! Patrick was practically wading through the muck but he was wearing an Adidas water shoes. So, not much problem while luckily for me I was wearing an ankle height shoes and today it has proven it water proofing capability. Bella was complaining of hunger now so we chose a nice riverbank spot and took five. I was not really hungry but I rewarded myself with the big bottle of 100Plus I carried in my backpack. This seems to be the perfect time.

 

The creek where we had lunch.

The inclination of the trail started to increase from here onwards but not that acute. It was still very gradual hike. There were more leeches though. As usual we were checking for leeches, spraying Mosi Guard avoiding hanging vines, climbing over fallen trees and going under them. After another hour or so, we came to a large overhanging rock, much like Bukit Kutu's but smaller. I recognised it as 'Gua Kambing' from the blogs. I can now confirm that we are on the right trail. Hooray! for that.

Patrick and myself resting in Gua Kambing.     

After resting, I told Bella and Patrick to continue on as I am giving up. I needed the rest. They urged me on and was willing to wait for me to completely rest. After half an hour, we mounted our backpacks and continued. We stone hopped over some rocks here as there a water source here. At some point, Patrick who was in front started laughing, while looking at the trail. I knew what that means and when Bella reached, she sighed ! When I saw the 60 degree inclination that leads to infinity, I gawked! After a few minutes into it, I hollered to Patrick and Bella to carry on. I am going back to 'Gua Kambing'. They discussed for a moment and after reassuring that I will be fine, they carried on. Patrick came down to get the camera from me. At least I have a picture of the peak.

While they went up, I trundled down. At 'Gua Kambing' I took out my fly sheet, no, not ground sheet but fly sheet, and laid it on the ground. I wanted to rest, whatever sheet will do! I sat on the sheet and took off my shoes. There was three fat slugs feasting on my blood. Took them out and it was bleeding. I took my first aid kit out and wash the skin puncture with Dettol and plastered it with Band Aid. Pulling the one at the rear of my left leg was hard as my wrist can't seem to be able to grip it. I then went to sleep. After an hour I woke up and there was bees and some black bugs flying all over me. There were thirsting over my sweat. I took out my lunch (cheese sandwich) and slowly munch it and gulped my 100Plus. I was enjoying my little party alone in presence of solitude! Wonderful.

At 2.30pm, I called Bella on  my hand phone. My Celcom line had a bar but Patrick's Digi is dead! Bella's Maxis rang once but she did not pick up and after a few attempts her's too went dead. I can hear thunder and dark clouds were looming past. I am worried about them and also the rain if it comes. We have cross so many rivers and if any one of them swells, we can't go back. Hiking in the dark is still OK as both me and Patrick carries torch lights but we can't do anything about river swells. Only thing we can do is pitch a tent and stay under it for the river level to subsides. That's why I have a fly sheet and cords in my back pack. Then at 3.00pm, I can hear their voices and I was relieved.

Bella at the peak after the 6 hours hike.

By the time they are down, I was already long packed up. After a few minutes rest, we started down without delay. Going down is the same story, detouring over obstacles, climbing over them, going under them but at a faster pace. Back to the sloshy part, then back to the fallen tree and cross the river. After here, I can rest assured as this is the major river crossing. We had a rest here and ate some dried fruits, dates and raisins to be exact, brought by Patrick. After a while we started back without delay and hiked as fast as we possibly able to, just to save daylight time. I was sweating profusely at this pace and my spectacles are all blurred with sweat and I can't wipe with anything as everything on me is wet. We just kept going and going and finally we reached the car park at 6.00pm. Whew! it was still daylight. Patrick went to the river to clean up while me and Bella changed into dry clothes. Then Patrick came back but we were too tired to doing anything else. Patrick was tired too, so he postphoned leaving for a while. Imagine myself, if Patrick is that tired, I can sit there all night if he wants to.


We rested for 40 minutes before we finally hopped into the car. We were hungry but nothing in Seremban really fancied us so we decided to head straight to KL for dinner. We went to a 'Yong Tow Foo' shop in Bandar Mahkota Cheras. It is a branch from one of the few famous ones in Ampang. My wife went there too to fetch me and we had a good and satisfying dinner. When Patrick stood up after the meal, there was blood all over the chair. Seems Patrick is having periods, ha,ha,ha. There was still blood suckers in his butt. The shop's waiter gave a 'yuccckish' look after seeing the chair before taking it to the back to wash.


The total distance I covered was 14 kilometers and moving time was 4 hours. So, I can presume that to do the peak, it is a 5 hour journey one way although it might just be 9 kilometers to the peak. Funny fact is, the peak was measured at 682 metres asl in the blogs but the contour maps in our GPS states the peak at within the 1000 metre line. Proof of that is Patrick recorded the peak at that height too. I was in 'Gua Kambing' which recorded 660 metres asl on my GPS while my watch recorded about the same. Did they hiked another peak?