Dashing on the Ridge

Please click here to view 41 photos taken by yours truly.
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Work is in progress to process 1,500 photos taken by Jason Lee and Hon You at the GE30k Run (Great Eastern - Pacesetter 30km Run) on Sunday 20 January. Stay tune...

(L-R) Front: PK Chan, Kathy, Ann Lam, Tee, Chiew Hong. Back: Jenny, Lai Khuan, ..., Kelly

When I looked up, I was genuinely surprised to see one middle-aged man in short pants walking swiftly and effortless on the rocks high above. At that moment, it gave me the impression that he was walking on the ridge of a roof and I was struggling at the ground level edging my ways between rocks. Within seconds, he was out of sight.

After watching many Hong Kong sword-fighting movies, I was amazed by his master skill in maintaining balance, and the courage to do it. Later, when I took a look, there were three rocks located quite wide apart with 2-foot wide flat platform and cliff at both sides. Losing balance means plunging down the cliff of Klang Gate Ridge (or Bukit Tabur).
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On Saturday 19 January morning, it was a fine weather for trekking. It was slightly cloudy in the morning that provided much of the shade. Besides, it was quite cooling with constant breeze caressing our face and body. Sweating profusely with the wet T-shirts, we felt cold at times. With three weeks to Chinese New Year, the cool breeze reminds me that the festive season is drawing near.

We started the journey at 7:45 a.m., 15 minutes behind schedule. Ann Lam and Miss Tee were waiting at the opposite side of the stream and they have to cross the stream to come to a different starting area. Tee was having slight difficulty with her water-bag as air was trapped in the rubber hose that prevent smooth outflow of water.
. Lily - Yes, good to overcome this treacherous stretch!

After a brief group photo session, I led the team for the great journey. After the strenuous badminton game the night before, my body seemed warm up instantly and I was walking uphill with fairly fast pace without me knowing. When I turned around to gauge how the team was doing, I saw Ann and Kathy were following closely while the rest was walking in a single file behind.
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Ann is manoeuvring a tricky and difficult cliff

At the first rest area, I was told by PK Chan that one of the team members could not follow the pace due to too fast in too short ascent. Immediately, it reminded me of running the Subang Jaya 10km race a few years ago where I followed the pace of elite runners and I pumped out after 10 minutes.

There were many trekkers in this trail. It was nice meeting them and we exchanged pleasantries.

Jenny and Lai Khuan - what you don't see is the cliff below

At certain point, we could see the ridge opposite which we climbed in the previous trip. From a distance, it was amazing that we could climb the vertical cliff to reach the peak. Trekking is just like a journey in life: take one step at a time; make sure it is a secure step and we will arrive at the peak – slowly but surely.
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Ann - Don't ever let go!

Lover’s Rock
Someone gave it a most appropriate and sentimental name. This rock actually comes in the way of the trail. Slanting slightly to the cliff, one has no choice but to hug the rock firmly to manoeuvre oneself to proceed with the journey. The experience of hugging it was exciting yet scary. As a loose grip would mean falling down the cliff. I am sure when one thinks of it as ones lover; one surely would not want to let it go.

PK Chan is distributing CNY cookies

At the Peak
We finally stopped at one of the peaks where there was a flat area comfortably for light refreshment. PK Chan brought a container of Chinese New Year cookies and Chiew Hong brought a few mandarin oranges – Yeah! Another sign of the festive season is just around the corner.

The Swift Moving Guy in Short Pants
After much walking (on the way down), we were surprised to meet him. He was sitting there alone enjoying the fresh air and admiring the scenic view of the surrounding areas. What a good way to live life! He was wearing the “kampong Adidas” shoes costing RM 7-00 bought from a shoe shop in Melawati. He told me that the shop is located at the same row as the old Giant hypermarket. Kampong Adidas is a one-piece rubber shoes for trekking use. It is for all terrain, all weather condition trekking and climbing.

Yours truly is showing the brand new, high-ankle trekking shoes for Annarpurna Base Camp, Nepal trekking.

Next Trekking Trip: Pine Tree Trail of Fraser’s Hill on Saturday 26 January 2008. These are a series of trekking trips preparing the team members going for the Annapurna Base Camp Nepal (lead by yours truly) and Mount Kinabalu or Mulu Trip (lead by Tony Q).

Written by KC

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