Together with other office colleagues and friends, RHB Mount Kinabalu Climbers went for a trekking trip at Gunung Angsi on Saturday, 14 December 2013. It was a great trekking trip with great company and good teamwork.
Do click here to view 63 photos courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong).
Pretty ladies with big boss's brand new Nissan GT-R car as background
These days, the weather is quite predictable: fine and sunny day in the morning and heavy rain starting around 3:00 p.m. In order to return to the trail head in avoidance of the rain, I set the cut-off time at 12 noon for the group to descend from the peak. The strategy: the slower trekkers would start at Bukit Putus way which is a shorter route so that most of us would arrive at the peak almost at the same time.
After the group photos were taken in front of the Ranger's Office, led by Mohd Abdul, Mat Nur and a few other, another pack went to Bukit Putus trail head and started from there.
A group photo in front of the Ranger's Office
Led by yours truly, 13 trekkers trekked via Ulu Bendul side. Arriving at the stream crossing area, I was pleasantly surprised to see that there wasn't much water in the stream gauging from the daily heavy rain at Kuala Lumpur. Nevertheless, trying for a balanced and firmed landing on the rocks was quite a tricky attempt especially the last few rocks that are pointed in shape and could easily cause a trekker to slip and fall into the water.
Help is needed in maintaining balance for a dry crossing
With the moist surrounding due to constant rainfall, there were quite a number of fierce leeches along the Ulu Bendol way. Most of the guys were attacked by leeches. A lady office trekker quipped that those must be female leeches.
We took 2 hr 30 min to arrive at the peak. Almost at the same time at 10:30 a.m., the pack from Bukit Putus arrived. That was good timing. Relaxing at the peak, everyone was busy doing something: eating munchies, taking photographs, chatting with friends on the account of the journey, etc. Abdul's group was busy cooking Maggie mee while Khoo Ban Yu was boiling water brewing coffee and tea.
Overcoming the obstacle course or rope area
After a group photo, the leading pack that was led by yours truly descended the mountain at 11:30. We took 1 hr 20 min (almost half the ascending time) to run down from the peak and return to Ulu Bandol Park. The trail is good for trail running as the downward slope is gradual.
At the Ulu Bendul Park, it was a nice experience to relax and play water at the stream which is running adjacently with the trekking trail. The water was cold in cooling down the body, and the running water was good to massage the tired legs.
hmmm ... smell nice and good
Tracy Chan asked me why I always wear red when trekking. I replied that it was more for easy identifying a person in the mountain; besides, red looks good when in photos. I quipped that the red RHB Mount Kinabalu T-shirt always bring good luck that when I wear it, the weather is always fine.
The final batch of trekkers safely returned to the Ulu Bendul area at around 3:30 p.m. After the bath, we heard the loud sound of rain hitting the leaves from a distance. We were alarmed. After 20 seconds, it was raining heavily and we were already in our cars. I like the "pre-emptive" warning. This time, Tracy quipped that the moment I took out the red T-shirt, it started to rain.
The group then adjourned to Seremban town for a sumptuous late lunch at 5:00 p.m. We were hungry. Ten of us ordered eight dishes of food and we could almost finish them all. The group returned to Kuala Lumpur feeling happy and satisfied with the outing, yearning for more in future.
SuWF, Sachi, Tracy Chan, Kellee, Wendy Chiam, Lana and Lai Peng
Khoo BY, KC; Wendy, Tracy, SuWF, Sachi and Lana
A group photo before descending the mountain
Time for a dip and relaxation in the stream
Gastronomical delight ... Adjourn to Seremban town for a sumptuous late lunch at 5:00 p.m. (or early dinner). Eric Lee flanked by the ladies; ten of us ordered eight dishes of food for a fantastic meal !!
Ascent: 2 hr 30 min; descent: 1 hr 20 min. Distance one way: 6km.
Start elevation: 171m; peak elevation: 813; elevation gain: 682m.
Gunung Angsi is my favourite mountain to trek previously as it is not too difficult; this time, for trail running. Do click here for the photos of trail running outings at Gunung Angsi (this posting is repeated; do scroll down the pages).
Do click here to view Mount Kinabalu climb photos.
Posted by KC Leong
