It is incredible! The fastest timing to arrive at the peak of Pine Tree Trail clocked by David Spence and Steven Yip was 50 plus minutes. While Jessen Lee, Raymond and Kenny Kwan took 1hr06min, the entire group arrived at 1hr30min. I remembered a few years ago, the timing for trekking was 2hr30min.
It was a fine weather with lots of blue sky on Saturday, 25 February 2012 at mid-day. We then continued to Twin Peak, the second peak, that require additional 20 minutes. The trail here is less prominent.
It was a fine weather with lots of blue sky on Saturday, 25 February 2012 at mid-day. We then continued to Twin Peak, the second peak, that require additional 20 minutes. The trail here is less prominent.
Do click here to view photos taken by your truly (KC Leong). Hit F11 key to adjust the optimum displays size.
Front: KC Leong, Simon Goh, ChooTS, Steven Yip, Raymond Ng, Jessen Lee, Sue Teoh, Phoebe, Florence Chan, David Spence... Back: TanHB, SC Yong, Michelle Looi, Debbie Tan, Jezamine Lo, Kenny Kwan
At trail head
The icing on the cake was to put up one night in the bungalow of RHB Bank, arranged by yours truly (KC Leong). The dinner was cooked by the caretaker with a simple yet tasty meal. It was an evening of good company amid interesting and fun topics of conversation ranging from Kilian Jornet (the world’s best trail runner), Mount Kinabalu Climbathon 2011, Mount Everest Base Camp to 'do and don't of bangsai (shitting) during camping'.
On Sunday, after our breakfast, we have a fun time of photo shoots at the field outside the bungalow in the misty environment. Descending the mountain, we continued the journey to Chilling Waterfall. The journey to the main waterfall was quite an effort having to cross at least 5 rivers crossing with water as deep as waistline level.
We rewarded ourselves with a sumptuous late lunch at the famous Loh Mee at Ulu Yam Lama. Just five minutes before finishing our meal, the rain started to pour heavily at 4:00 p.m. If we were still enjoying the nature at Chiling Waterfall, we would probably get stuck there not able to cross the river when the water level had risen. Luckily, we were waiting in comfort in a restaurant.
We rewarded ourselves with a sumptuous late lunch at the famous Loh Mee at Ulu Yam Lama. Just five minutes before finishing our meal, the rain started to pour heavily at 4:00 p.m. If we were still enjoying the nature at Chiling Waterfall, we would probably get stuck there not able to cross the river when the water level had risen. Luckily, we were waiting in comfort in a restaurant.
On cloud nine ...
Sue Teoh and Debbie Tan
RHB Bank Bungalow ... tastefully designed interior
RHB Bank Bungalow is well furnished and nestle within a huge compound of pleasant green and surrounded by age-old trees. With the stone exterior walls, it radiates the rustic charm of a country lifestyle.
The spacious living and dining room complemented with immaculate interior create a delightful environment to relax with friends and family members. It has a spacious lounge with sofas and chairs for a comfortable seating of at least 20 persons. There is a 33-inch Sony conventional television complete with ASTRO satellite network station; a DVD player and audio sound system.
The three spacious bedrooms, each completed with huge bathroom, are having their own colour theme: blue, yellow and white that suit a guest's preference.
The sense of peace and tranquillity prevails once we were at the bungalow. After almost five hours of trail running, it was indeed refreshing to relax there.
Spacious and bright
Rustic charm of a
country lifestyle
Dinner is served ... the gentlemen behind are observing the conventional protocol ... Bravo !!
Sunday, 26 February 2012 ... a misty and cool morning
Photo shoot session
... Debbie Tan, Florence Chan, Phoebe, Jezamine Lo, Michelle Looi, Sue Teoh
Chiling Waterfall (Sunday, 26 Feb 2012)
A few of us were somewhat ill-prepared for this outing. We heard that it is about one hour's walk on land to Chiling waterfall with the name that gives a chilling impression that is most appropriately describing the ice-cold water. Leaving our serious trail running gear in the cars, we were carrying bags that look like going to market on a Sunday morning.
After making payment of RM1 each for the gate fee, the group excitedly crossed the wooden bridge over the river. We then walked along a trail that looked like a trench to me that filled with shallow and slow flowing water with overgrown shrubs on both sides. Not wanting to wet my trail running shoes, I was consciously looking for rocks or dry grounds for landing.
After walking for some time, the trail led us heading directly towards the river. The moment of realization finally unfolded before our eyes – we have to cross the river.
I was glad that Phoebe joined us in this trip. Though she was slower when running up Pine Tree Trail Mountain the day before, I was impressed that she could lead the team assertively to the Chiling waterfall. At lower ground, she could really move swiftly.
To arrive at the 2nd last waterfall, we have to cross the river 5 times wadding through water against the current, and at certain points the water almost reached waistline level. I am not worried about wetting my body; but the main concern was that the cameras that we carried should never touch even a single drop of fluid – hi-tech stuff and water don’t mix.
ChooTS and I managed to keep the cameras dry, never mind that the lower body was totally wet and the trail running shoes were filled with sands.
To arrive at the final waterfall required another 20 minutes of uphill climb which was not too tough after the workout the day before. We took about 1 hour 30 minutes to arrive at the final waterfall. The view was quite spectacular with the water gushing down in gusto for a drop of almost 50 meters.
Later, we trekked/ran further up to the upper part of the waterfall which is just a shallow pool with calm water as oppose to the rushing water caused by the fall. We took a group photo with most of us standing in the water, this time, without much hesitation about wetting the shoes.
Special thanks to Phoebe for being the lady mountain guide for that special occasion.
A few of us were somewhat ill-prepared for this outing. We heard that it is about one hour's walk on land to Chiling waterfall with the name that gives a chilling impression that is most appropriately describing the ice-cold water. Leaving our serious trail running gear in the cars, we were carrying bags that look like going to market on a Sunday morning.
After making payment of RM1 each for the gate fee, the group excitedly crossed the wooden bridge over the river. We then walked along a trail that looked like a trench to me that filled with shallow and slow flowing water with overgrown shrubs on both sides. Not wanting to wet my trail running shoes, I was consciously looking for rocks or dry grounds for landing.
After walking for some time, the trail led us heading directly towards the river. The moment of realization finally unfolded before our eyes – we have to cross the river.
I was glad that Phoebe joined us in this trip. Though she was slower when running up Pine Tree Trail Mountain the day before, I was impressed that she could lead the team assertively to the Chiling waterfall. At lower ground, she could really move swiftly.
To arrive at the 2nd last waterfall, we have to cross the river 5 times wadding through water against the current, and at certain points the water almost reached waistline level. I am not worried about wetting my body; but the main concern was that the cameras that we carried should never touch even a single drop of fluid – hi-tech stuff and water don’t mix.
ChooTS and I managed to keep the cameras dry, never mind that the lower body was totally wet and the trail running shoes were filled with sands.
To arrive at the final waterfall required another 20 minutes of uphill climb which was not too tough after the workout the day before. We took about 1 hour 30 minutes to arrive at the final waterfall. The view was quite spectacular with the water gushing down in gusto for a drop of almost 50 meters.
Later, we trekked/ran further up to the upper part of the waterfall which is just a shallow pool with calm water as oppose to the rushing water caused by the fall. We took a group photo with most of us standing in the water, this time, without much hesitation about wetting the shoes.
Special thanks to Phoebe for being the lady mountain guide for that special occasion.
The Chiling
Waterfall
Posted by KC Leong
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