Camping at Gunung Yellow - 1667m

Date : 30 & 31 July 2011

The is my first time since school days on a proper camping trip ie, need to hike in. Most of my camping trips previously require very little or no trekking at all. Gunung Yellow at 1667m can be accessed through Gunung Irau to Yellow OR like what we did, start from the highway heading to Cameron Highlands via Simpang Pulai. As it is only a small campsite, hence we limited the number of people for this trip to 10 pax.

4 of us spent the night before in Ipoh at Aileen's place and the next day went for a nice breakfast in Ipoh and to the market to pack some food. We met the rest at about 9am at the starting point of the trek. We started trekking about 9.45am and the fast ones (for sure its not me) arrived at the campsite in about 4 hours. I managed to "scramble" all the way in 5 hours :) with a 14kg backpack together with Aileen and Barry who accompanied me all the way. (Thank you very much)

Trekking time and terrain :

On moderate speed with some photography - 4.5 hours.
Basically one way with no major forks.
1. At the Gunung Pass peak, take the left fork
2. At the first false peak of Gunung Yellow, take the left fork
3. At the second false peak of Gunung Yellow, go straight
Some uphill climb with adequate resting/recovery time. The last stretch of uphill is about 10 mins at 70 degrees gradient.
Overall a hike that can be attempted but the major setback is that it is only a small campsite. You need to be there early to "book it". Campsite can fit 5 2-men tents comfortably.
Water source available about 30 mins away from campsite. Small stream.

The starting point of the trek. When you see the notice on the left as you are driving towards Cameron, the trek starts directly opposite it

First viewpoint

At Gunung Pass fork

View at False Peak 1

Have only seen this in Irau before

The group

Food food food

At the peak

The campsite

Mossy forest like Irau

I had an enjoyable weekend - not the usual 20/30 people wherever we go. Small group is fun and I had time to catch up with everyone. Alan and Tony cooked for us to eat, prepared dinner and breakfast too.... thanks so much. We packed up at about 9am to descend as Chelik Waterfalls was also in the itinerary (though I did not go) By the end of the trek my energy level is fully depleted! Thankfully I did not have to drive.

Waterfall Abseiling at Pisang Waterfalls

Date : 16 July 2011

My first time at waterfall abseiling and this is organised by GTZ Trekkerz who I think manage the Madmonkeyz gym also....They also organise an annual charity climb usually at Damai Wall. A great fun bunch of people who makes you feel young :)

How to get there :

Our meeting place was at a Shell/Petronas petrol station with McD on MRR2 heading from Kepong to KL.

From here, take the first left exit and follow the road to the left.

Travel along this road until you come to a T junction (traffic lights) and take a right turn.

You will then be driving on a one lane road for about 15 minutes (you will go past a football field on the right) before you come to the turnoff to Pisang on the left.

At the base :
No proper shower facilities

You may park alongside the road

Trekking time and terrain :

On moderate speed with some photography - 1 hour with river crossings

Terrain rating 1/10 (no sweat!)

Description of terrain : 

The starting point of the trek is by crossing the river 15 mins into the trek, you will come to the tunnels. (The landmark of Pisang Falls) From the tunnel, just follow the river usually keeping to the right. 

There is another option to Pisang falls which is easier. After the tunnel, you will see a flight of stairs on the right - you can go up and come to the side of the highway. Turn left and follow the road. (The only problem is you must know when to enter back into the "jungles" to come to Pisang Falls... ) This is a good way to exit as it takes less than 30 minutes to get to the tunnel.

  

At the fall :

Waist high water level, best viewed from the slope opposite the fall.

After crossing the first river

The tunnels

After the tunnel

Pisang Falls

Water abseiling

 

After the water abseiling, we ventured further up and came to this little "dive" site

Back flip too

Pisang Falls from the slope across it

I had a great time trying the water abseiling the first time... it's really not that tough and just remember NOT to look up while you are going down :)

Ginger and Honey Drink....

1. 10 grams of ginger ground into a paste.
2. Put the ginger paste in a glass.
3. Add boiling water.
4. Add a spoonful of honey, mix well 

I have always been a great fan of ginger and garlic! 

My all time favorite

Have you ever heard of Yiruma?
The first time ever when I heard the song Kiss The Rain I fell in love with it. I have been addicted to it ever since. The music is so melodious that when I listen to it, I find myself drawn into a different world.
Today Aileen sent me lyrics of the song. Its actually a sad song where a girl describes her feelings to another man who gave his heart to her but it is hollow - how sad to know that the one person you gave everything to does not feel the same for you.
I suppose life goes on no matter what. The clock is still ticking away.
Be thankful to have loved than not to experience what is love. So my dear friends, love whole heart-edly and completely. It is the only way to experience it 100%

Here's the youtube video of my all time favorite http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCSe66pWNmc

July onwards....... things are not the same :(

Its been a while since I updated my blog. Well, work has taken up a lot of my time and with the weekend activities I find that I dint have the time nor the mind set to write at all. In July with a turn of event, my life was kind of turned upside down. I had very tough days and at a point, I din know what to do.
I was in a situation where I was completely thrown off guard and things that I have been taking for granted is no longer mine and no longer there for me.
With the help of some friends, it is slowly getting together bit by bit but I think it will never be the same anymore.
So please dear readers, do not take things for granted. Do not fret over small stuffs. Cherish the moments and be thankful always. I am also still learning......

Weekend in Taiping

Date : 9&10 July 2011

Waterfalls visited:
1. Upper Trong Falls
2. Lower Trong Falls
3. Kamunting Falls
4. Maxwell Hill Falls
5. Air Hitam Falls

How to get there : (instructions to Trong Falls only)

Travel time : 2 hours 45 minutes, exit at 146 Changkat Jering
Once exit, at the traffic lights, turn right into Beruas / Lumut
Approximately 15 mins drive, will come to a traffic lights with a police station on the right
After this lights take the first left turn
At the fork, take the right fork and just follow the road till the end
Trail to Upper Trong starts on the right
Trail to Lower Trong starts on the left (going down the steps)

The beauty that we saw along the trail

The lower falls of Upper Trong

Upper Trong

 

I had a fun time sliding down though the water was freezing cold and my teeth was going "grr grr grr grr"

The water at Upper Trong was very cold when we went. There was no sun on that day (not sure about other days) But we had a fun time sliding down one of the lower falls...

The trail into Upper Trong is relatively easy, rated 3/10. The trail is fairly flat and the challenge in this trek is to see if one can run faster than the leeches at this place.......(we were pretty lucky because there were not too many present but I have been told that the leeches here are notorious). So, venture at your own risk.

The path is not clear with a few forks and many fallen trees. Venture with someone who knows the way.

Lower Trong

The steps down Lower Trong

All one need to do is just walk down the stairs to reach this fall. Big swimming pool available for use :) Becareful not to venture too near the falls as the water is really gushing. Rated 3/10 as after the splashing time at the falls, one needs to walk back up the stairs.

Kamunting Falls

The water falls into a small shallow pool

The starting trek is behind a Indian temple and around the water treatment plant. The first 1/2 hour of the trek is easy until we come to a uphill trek which is on the right side along the trail. The uphill is about 1 hour with one section aided by rope. This trek is rated 4/10 and need to venture with someone who knows the way as one needs to know which section to start the uphill trek. This trek best done in the morning and must arrive at the falls before 11am for photography purposes. Once the sun is up, one would not be able to get a good picture here as the water volume is small and well spread

Maxwell Hill Fall

This is now a water catchment area and hence one is restricted from entering the pools.

Air Hitam Falls

Natural reflexology

Kampung Air Hitam is where this falls is located. The trek in is only about 15 mins, rated 2/10. Easy trek with a rewarding fall, many places for reflexology.

It was a good weekend for me instead of spending time in the cities. We stayed overnight at Casavilla Lodge at Simpang. The place is new and clean.