Next Exciting Trip to Mulu-Pinnacles

Penang Bridge Marathon 24 June: Wishing all runners pleasant journey and enjoyable run. As for the Penguin Runners, the line-up are as follows:
x

Meng (P2) - full marathon

Tony (P3) - full marathon

Steven (P5) - full marathon

Eric Teo (P10) - full marathon

Jason Chin (P12) - full marathon

kWeng - full marathon
x

-----------

Note by KC: After the successful trip of leading a group of Pacesetters runners to climb Mount Kinabalu from 27 April to 1 May 2007, Tony, a.k.a Penguin-3 the Mountain Sifu, will be the Team Leader again leading another group of 25 runners and trekkers for an adventurous trip to Mulu-Pinnacle from 27 June to 1 July 2007.

Here are a few of the Pacesetters runners who are going in this trip: Francis Toh, Sonny Ng and wife, Eric Teo, Vivian, Siok Bee, Jezamine, Gerard, etc.

After months of training in trekking up hills within Kuala Lumpur, the group of trekkers is adequately prepared for this exciting trip.

Wishing them pleasant journey and memorable excursion. As I mentioned earlier, call it “expedition” (if one likes) depending on the toughness of the trip.

Let us take a look at the itinerary:

Day 1 - LCCT - Miri -Mulu – Check-in at Mulu National Park. Visit Bat Observatory Tower if time permits.

Day 2 - The trip to view the Pinnacles is tough and challenging and is usually done as a 3 day 2 night trip.

A boat-ride on the Melinau River for 1-2 hours and as we pass Batu Bungan, the Penan Longhouse and Wind and Clearwater Caves we can visit these along the way. Our boat driver will leave us at Kuala Litut which is the beginning of the 8km walking trail to Camp 5 and return in 2 days, at a pre-arranged time.

Camp 5 is a forest shelter that caters to visitors traveling on the Head hunter's Trail and to the Pinnacles. Located beside a clear stream, Camp 5 is an ideal place to swim and relax after our walk. We will camp here over-night.

Day 3 - The following morning, trekking begins around 7:00 a.m. The trail to the top is only 2.4 km long but rises 1,200 metres to the viewpoint. The last section of the trail is near vertical with rope sections and ladders to climb. Fit, experienced trekkers may reach the top in 2-3 hours, the not so fit around 4-5 hours. For many, the descent is more difficult and can take 5 hours or more.

The climb is well worthwhile though as it culminates in spectacular views of the pinnacle formations, some of which tower up to 40 metres high. The trail itself, which climbs steeply from the Melinau Gorge passes through some intriguing limestone forest and as we reach the higher altitudes includes some spectacular pitcher plants (Nepenthes sp.), sightings of rare orchids and Mountain Shrews.

Day 4 - After another night at Camp 5 we will retrace our steps back to Park Headquarters or continue along the Head Hunters Trail to Limbang.

Day 5 - Home Sweet Home

Photos are by courtesy of ChongYF.

By Tony