Gunung Nuang Challenge

Please click here to view photos posted by Tey Eng Tiong in his weblog.
x
Please click here to veiw the complete photo album by courtesy of Tey Eng Tiong.

“Trekking up this Gunung Nuang is tougher than running a full marathon,” I proclaimed proudly while Tey Eng Tiong was holding his Canon compact camera for a video recording. After five hours of non-stop ascent to the peak, that statement aptly summarized my achievement while relaxing at the peak.

KC, Herbal Sifu, Tey's friend, Wendy, Chef Chan, CW Ee, Mary, PK Chan, Chong YF. Tey is holding camera.

At that moment, I understood why Chef Chan did not quite agree with my earlier statement that “anyone who can climb Klang Gate Ridge should have no problem in climbing other hills”. Klang Gate Ridge is steep and short in distance much like running a 10km race; whereas Gunung Nuang is like running a full marathon race.

On Sunday 8 April at 6:30 a.m., we stopped for a hearty breakfast at the kampong area en route to Gunung Nuang foothill. At that time, most shops were still not opened yet. Knowing that it would be a long journey, most of us ordered roti canai enriched with eggs and Milo “kaw” (strong) or teh tarik drinks.

Team Members

The group consisted of nine trekkers: Wendy, Tey Eng Tiong and his friend, Chef Chan, Mary, CW Ee, Chong YF and friend (herbal sifu) and yours truly.

After a quick group photo session at the start of the trail, the journey of a thousand steps ahead began with the first step at 7:30 a.m. I was excited at that moment because that trekking trip was planned almost one month in advance.

The mountain guide for this trekking trip was Tey Eng Tiong (pm22). According to him, he has climbed this mountain for countless times. When he took part in the Mount Kinabalu Climbaton two years ago, that was his favourite training ground. The second mountain guide was Chef Chan, who has climbed this mountain numerous times. The group was indeed in the good hands of the experienced trekkers.

Taking a rest to continue with the tough climb

The Terrain

The entire course can be divided into three main sections:

a. from car park to Pondok of Lo Lo River – 1.5 hours

b. start of climb to Camp Pacat passing by Camp Lo Lo – 2 hours

c. steeper climb from Camp Pacat to the Peak – 1.5 hours

The first section was easy as we walked along a wide road meant for vehicles long time ago. Due to soil erosion, this earth-based road is only passable with 4-wheel drive vehicles. The road is gradually sloping upward which was very good for training run.

The mid-section of the course passed by the stream four times. At the lower part, the trail was narrow that overgrown with wild vegetation. Slowly but surely, the steepness of the trail increased. Most of the time, we trekked on the trail of red earth that looked like a water channel or trench. I believe when it rains, the water would be gushing down via the trail and the ground would be slippery hindering movement. Camp Pacat was actually a clearing. Though this spot is literally translated as Leech Camp but we did not find any leech at all – even for the entire trekking trip.

Obstacles along the trail

The third section consisted of steeper slope. This part of the trek was quite windy and cooling due to moderately high altitude. At times, I could feel the pressure was building up in my ears. Towards the last stretch before reaching the peak, the ground was wet and moist, much like Gunung Irau in Cameron Highland. The trail turned into muddy ground with many big rocks blocking the path.

Kem Lo Lo

There was quite a number of camp sites located around this area. With a stream flowing through, that was ideal for camping. One unsightly view was that the camp site was strewn with rubbish! Quite a number of campers were seen camping there. I believe they were having fun watching us crossing the stream precariously trying not to wet the shoes. Nevertheless, a few of the team members stepped into the water.

A group of campers are camping at the Camp Pacat

Kem Pacat

While approaching a clearing, I was surprised to see a banner hanging high up that read: Good Good Mountaineering. I saw a big group of Chinese trekkers were camping there. It was euphoria feeling of meeting other trekkers after having been enveloped for hours in the forest. The feeling was like “all were brothers and sisters”. We happily introduced to them that Tey is a reporter from a local Chinese newspaper. Seeing he was holding a Nikon SLR camera, immediately, I could see them responded with enthusiasm. It was most funny to see Tey promptly gesturing this hand and said coolly: “reporter is at the back” in order to diffuse the focus on him.

Camp Pacat after the campers have vacated the spot. The girl in red is Jean. She came with her friend. She is an avid trekker who has trekked most of the mountains in Malaysia.

I was told by our mountain guide that the clearing was meant for the helicopter to land during emergency situation for Search and Rescue Operation when trekkers were lost in the jungle. With a big group of trekkers occupying the spot, looks like we need another clearing for helicopter.

The Peak

At 12:30 p.m., we reached the peak. It was a clearing measuring about 30 feet by 15 feet with a metal pyramid on one side. On the other end is a small green sign board that read: Gunung Nuang; Summit 1,493 Meters; You Are the Best.

Cheers! "You are the best" Team posing for photo at the peak

As usual, Wendy would set up her mobile gas burner. However, one has to contribute his/her drinking water this time to make hot drink due to the scarcity of water. It would be too heavy a load for her to carry the water for other team members.

That was the only trek that we met many trekkers at the peak and also along the trail. We spent about 45 minutes at the peak having light refreshment that each brought. After a photo session, we started our descent at 1:15 p.m.

The Descent

The descent was much easier and faster. However, to my astonishment, it took almost the same amount of time to return to the foothill, i.e. about 5 hours.

While crossing the stream near Kem Lo Lo, I saw Tey was standing in the stream holding and staring at a plastic bottle. At first glance, I thought he was catching small fish and put in the bottle. Later, when I saw the water in the bottle turned orange colour, then only I realized that he was brewing some secret formula. According to Tey, the secret formula contained minerals plus “kam chuo” (Chinese herbs) that could quench thirst and prevent muscle cramp.

I took the opportunity to clean myself. The water in the stream was chilling that gave me a refresh feeling.

Speical brewing is in progress by Tey at the background

Chef Chan

He was carrying quite a big backpack. With the “kling klong” sound, he could be carrying the cooking utensil and food. He was with me at the last stretch. But I never got to see him reaching the peak. According to one of the trekkers, he encountered leg muscle cramp and decided to descend earlier. Since he climbed with his friends at the same mountain one week earlier, I presume it does not matter whether he reached the peak. Otherwise, we could be having a feast at the peak cooked by a chef from a leading 5-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

Mountain Guide

Our gratitude goes to Tey for being the main mountain guide. Tey even double up as the photographer taking photos for all trekkers while we were thick in action negotiating tough and steep terrains. Throughout the journey, one of his hands was holding his SLR camera – readily for action. He has attained the “sifu” (master) skills in maintaining balance during the ascent and descent.
True to the spirit of a committed photographer, he even risked his camera by standing in the stream and continued to take photos while other team members were crossing the stream.

Tey Eng Tiong is a committed photographer; Wendy is crossing the stream

Another commendable effort demonstrated by Tey was that he even brought his compact Canon camera to record video of trekkers when relaxing at the peak. (Note: SLR camera, though huge in size, takes only excellent still frame photos but does not support video recording)

That was the only occasion where I was like a star – I appeared in many of the photos.

Conclusion

We were lucky that the ground was dry and it was a fine weather that day. It was fun though the journey was long.
x

Trekking up Gunung Nuang is an excellent training ground preparing one for trekking in Gunung Tahan or Mount Kinabalu. The trek is long enough for tough and endurance training. I also recommend all marathon runners to try Gunung Nuang as cross training. It will strengthen other parts of the leg, which is not able by sheer running on flat ground alone.

All the happy faces

The other good point of this trek is that one can chose whether to trek up to mid-point (Kem Pacat) or to the peak depending on fitness level or availability of time.

By KC