The Long Awaited climb to Mount Tahan

Its been ages since my last mountain climbing, and that was in 2003 Gunung senyum. I did not have any serious plan to climb, when a new friend from Facebook invited me to climb Mount Tahan, I decided to join in. Khairul from Bangi, who administer a Facebook page call "Kami Pencinta Alam", suggested to climb Tahan for the 10.10.10 date celebration. As for me, to celebrate my 43rd birthday on the 8th October. The climbers meet up at KL Central for the first time. Most of them I considered as new to climbing activities. maybe becuase I'm much older than them. The oldest among our group of climbers was CK, aged 45. The train depart from KL Central at 2130hrs to Gua Musang. The rest of the members had bought their tickets. As for me had to buy the ticket day of the departure. Had to que for four hours, this is because KTM is upgrading their ticketing system. Had to get the second class ticket. 

As the train did not stop at Merapoh, we had to alight at Gua Musang train station at 0730hrs. Saw another group of climbers from Singapore. As we wait for our transport to Merapoh, we had breakfast. Had nasi Kerabu, the official breakfast for Kelantan. After breakfast, went shopping for any last minute groceries. Got myself an new hiking shoe, an "Adidas Kampung" a common name around here. The shoe is normally used by rubber tappers. For RM6, I dont hesitate. At least I dont have to wear my Columbia shoe. From Gua Musang to Merapoh is a 20 minutes  drive. Our transport is a 4 wheel drive. Arriving at Taman Negara, we had to unload our bags for inspection and count. The Taman Negara Rules states that every climbers must register whatever clothes and plastic that they bring along.

Khairul and Wing at Sg. Luis

So that when you came back, the stuff that you bring in must be accounted for. Finish repacking, jump into the 4 wheel drive again to Kuala Juram.  Encountered an obstacle along the way, a fallen tree. It only takes a few minutes to clear the road as our guide bring along a chainsaw. This time a group from VirtualMalaysia.com joined us. Reached Kuala Juram and have a short lunch before we start. The first day was more hiking rather than clmbing to Kem Kor, our first nitght campsite. had to cross few river though. During the dry season, it was quite easy to cross, as the water level did not reached your knee, so the only thing difficult is wet shoe. Everyone was quite happy on the first day. As not much climbing. We reached Kem Kor around 1730hrs. Considered early. We were the first to reached Kem Kor, as the group from virtualmalaysia.com and the singaporean maybe a bit slower just simply enjoying the jungle scenery. 
The second day, we were quite late to start. so a very quite breakfast of nasi goreng and pack for lunch on the run. As we had a lot of ground to cover to Bukit Botak, we had to push a little. CK was physically tuned for the next day trekking. Its a good thing cause its going to be much difficult and demanding compared to the first day.  There will be a lot of climbing and ropework. 
Lim from JB suffer a minor knee injury which proves to slow us down. While others rush to Bukit Botak, I had to trek along Lim. I did not bring a torch light, as I did not planned to do  night trekking, yet a seasoned hiker like me can also make a stupid mistake.  We were not even near the Bonsai camp area when it started to get dark. 

Bukit Botak.

I had to share a torch light with Lim. Half way to the Bonsai camp, our guide Atan backtrack and found us, blundering in the dark with a very dim torch light. Rest for a while at camp Bonsai, heats up some water and make milo. Had to rest for a while, as Bukit Botak is only 1 hour trek from Bonsai camp. We could see the rest of the climbers already reached Bukit Botak. Khairul signalled us and back track. Because I was carrying most of the food, so they had to wait for me to cook dinner.  So we had a late dinner tonight at Bukit Botak. 

Cancer break at 2137m high... YEH BEBEH

For most of us this the first time to climb Mount Tahan.

Had to wake up early at 0530hrs, if we are to see the sun sets. From Bukit Botak to the peak, is only one hour climb, so we should get there by sun sets. Lim and others decided to climb early as they afraid that they miss the sun sets. Khairul had to give me his spare torch light, as I did not bring my own. 

The official certificate.

Reaching the peak, I remembered the days of my climbing days. its been a long time since I enjoyed the view from a mountain peak. With new found friends, hope to do more climbing after this. 
As we descend to Bukit Botak, the group from Singapore started their climb to the peak. They will continue their journey to Kuala Tahan. Its gonna take another 4 days for them. As for us, we will be back tracking to Merapoh. 
As usual, the climb  down will be much faster to reach to Kem Kor. As for me, reaching Kem Kor around 1830hrs would be just nice to set up camp.
As for tommorow, it would be an easy trek to Kuala Juram. Hani who was the first to reached Kem Kor said that he saw a black bear tearing a rubbish plasctic bag which the group virtualmalaysia.com has hanged. He was so excited that he forgot to snap a photo. Having that info, I decided to set up my tent as close as possible with other tent. 

fish feeding..

Morning on the last day, after breakfast, the others decided to trek early, while me and Khairul will be the last men behind. Its ok because Khairul and me can catch up with them later. Reaching Kuala Juram around 1500hrs, we had time to goof around with ikan kelah. Its amazing how tamed the kelah is. Its like feeding fish in an aquarium. Definitely must bring my family to enjoy the experience.