Mount Semeru

The group went for a 10D9N trekking and holidays trip at Mount Semeru, Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen from 20-29 July 2013. These are the volcanic mountains locate at east Java.

Do CLICK HERE to view 201 photos courtesy of yours truly (KC). 

This is Part 1 of the photos showing the ascent to Mount Semeru (3676m); stay tuned for more photos of Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen and  water rafting.

Mount Semeru is a tough mountain to climb because of the steep slope couple with loose volcanic stones and sands. Every step forward in the final ascent (of about 2km) could be sliding down almost of the same distance, if not more. At that moment in the ascent, in my mind, any mountain of firm landing is easier. 

If you are motivated to trek in Indonesia, try Mount Rinjani first (in Lombok Island, next to Bali). This mountain is a few times more difficult to climb than Mount Rinjani.  

Do wait for all group photos from Joseph’s dSLR camera, the official cameraman of the group and also the organizer of this trip.

Day 2 morning ... the peaceful and tranquil environment where farmers started work early (in front of the guesthouse that the group stay) 

 Guesthouse at Tumpang Village, Batu, Malang, East Java. 

 A unique local breakfast … (left) George, Sharon Tan, Jesslyn, Marie, and Joseph Yong 

 KC Leong, SK, Fiona, WongFK and Sharon Tan

 A Hindu temple at the top of a hill of Ranupane Village … the starting point for trekking to Mount Semeru 

 The start of the journey traversing the many onion and cabbage and other vegetable plantations 

 Sharon Tan, George, SK and WongFK 

 Descending a hill en route to savannah area  

 At the savannah area … Marie, Sharon Tan, Wong FK, Jesslyn, Fiona, KC Leong … far away are George and SK. 

 Passing by the scenic Ranu Kumbolo lake where the group camped one night after returning from the peak of Mount Semeru. 

 Passing by a vast land of wild Lavender flowers 

 At Kalimati campsite … the base camp for next morning’s summit to Mount Semeru. The group started the ascent at 1:30 a.m.

 Above hills and clouds for the beautiful sunrise while climbing up Mt Semeru 

 Up close … White fume spewing out from the active Semeru volcano 

 Yeah! I made it to the peak of Mount Semeru! Trekkers can walk around here with the flat and rocky terrain. 

It was a tough climb going up with more than a kilometer of loose volcanic stones, sand, that slide down whenever one try to advance a step upward.

 But descending the mountain is easy that kick up lot of dust with the fast-paced movement. While it takes 4 hours to go up this part of the barren ground, it only take 45 minutes to descent!

Average timing from base camp to peak is between 5 to 7 hours (one way) ... Fiona descending the mountain with ease. 

 Steep slope … this is almost the actual slope when one look down the mountain.

Do CLICK HERE for Part 2 - Mount Bromo

Do CLICK HERE for Part 3 - Mount Ijen

If you have not been to Mount Rinjani, do click here to view some of the photos taken by me during my previous trip there.

Posted by KC Leong

Zhineng Qigong Group Practice

Zhineng Qigong Group Practice at Dewan Besar Kompleks Belia, Jalan Cheras, on Sunady, 14 July 2013 conducted by Lu Lin Kun laoshi (from China), graced by President of Persatuan Senaman Zhineng Qigong Malaysia, Liow Kim Heng laoshi.

Other than practising chi gong, the group did an experiment in snapping the needles using chi gong. Needles snapped by chi gong is like being cut – having a straight end; those with round ends could be bent by force. The chi field there was very strong as witness by many needles been snapped by the members. 

Do click here to view 86 photos courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong) as the cameraman for the event.

 Lu Lin Kun laoshi (from China) conducting the group practice

Schedule:

热身舞/ warm-up qigong dancing – 智能气功舞 （张美云老师带领）

带功 –  捧气贯顶法，三心并站庄

Practice – 1st Module, Three Centres Merge Standing

抻气 / Chen-Qi

气功实验 / Qigong Experiment

i)        开天门

ii)       断钢针

 带功 –  捧气贯顶法，三心并站庄

Practice – 1st Module and Three Centres Merge Standing

带功 –  捧气贯顶法，三心并站庄

Practice – 1st Module and Three Centres Merge Standing

 抻气 / Chen-Qi

 抻气 / Chen-Qi

 抻气 / Chen-Qi

 气功实验 / Qigong Experiment  i)      开天门

The participants are pressing The Heaven's Gate point (at the top of the head) when performing this practice.

 气功实验 / Qigong Experiment i)       开天门

 气功实验 / Qigong Experiment ii)      断钢针

气功实验 / Qigong Experiment ii)      断钢针

Needles snapped with round ends could be bent by force; those snapped by chi gong is like being cut – having a clean and straight end.

Do click here for previous year’s group practice also conducted by Lu Lin Kun laoshi.

Do click here to view all social activities of Zhineng Qigong (M’sia). Scroll down the web pages.

Posted by KC Leong

Gunung Nuang Trail Running

This training event at Gunung Nuang on Saturday, 13 July 2013 was initiated by Tony Q for those who are taking part in the TMBT Ultra-marathon trail event (in September 2013).

After the previous evening's rain, the ground at Gunung Nuang was a bit wet but it was not slippery. The best thing was that the air was really fresh and cool. At one location before reaching the Pondok (end of Jalan Balak), we could feel the crisp and super cooling surrounding.

Do click here to view photos courtesy of yours truly (KC).

Tony Q (right) giving a safety instruction briefing to the team members

Those keng chow (strong) trail runners that I met were AB Tan, Yim Heng Fatt, Daniel Tan, Yoong Wai Loon; I also met another few keng chow trail runners swiftly running down the mountains: Shine Teh, Rothman Fong, and Lim Kok Kien.

We met a mat salleh couple at the Pondok (end of Jalan Balak). After assisting us in taking group photos, they continued their journey. Not knowing the way, they went beyond the first stream crossing where there is a rusty overhead pipe. Luckily we saw them and directed them back to the correct trail.

 A group photo before the start of trail running/trekking

Yoong Wai Loon and Debbie Tan were doing a long-haul trekking/trail running: from the car park, they would arrive at Nuang Peak and then go down to Janda Baik side and return – what an incredible feat (or feet)!

The brief moment at Kem Pacat, the tall and good looking Yoong Wai Loon was like the main star taking photos with all the trekker friends that he knows.

 Ching Soo Ming, ... AB Tan, Michael Wong, KC Leong, Rich Chai, Debbie Tan ... at the Pondok area

I stopped at Kem Pacat; together with Michael Wong, we hurriedly went down the mountain while the rest proceeded their journey to the peak. Total time taken was 4 hr 20 minutes. Each way is about 2 hours with 20 minutes rest at Kem Pacat.

I have to do a last-minute shopping for Mt Semero_Bromo_Ijen trekking at Indonesia next Saturday (20 July 2013 for 10D9N).

 Rich Chai showing his DIY sandal for barefoot runners while Debbie Tan looked on

 At the signature tree, Kem Pacat ... KC Leong, Yoong Wai Loon, Debbie Tan, Rich Chai, Michael Wong

 Yoong with two fast lady trail runner friends

 Colourful plants lining along the track

Posted by KC Leong

Bukit Tabur

Browsing through my blogsite for trekking at Bukit Tabur, time passes really fast that the last time I set foot at Bukit Tabur was 4 years ago. Since I took up trail running, I have been busy running around in other earth-based hills – but not this rock-based hill.

Another name for Bukit Tabur is Klang Gate Ridge which is a quartz ridge. Luckily, there is no gold in the quartz; otherwise, this hill would be flatten long time ago.

The idea of trekking at Bukit Tabur was mooted by SuWF when she is supposed to join her group of friends to trek Bukit Tabur. With a turn of event, her group was not going and I decided to come with a few other trekker friends on 6 July 2013, Saturday.

Do click here to view photos courtesy of your truly (KC Leong).

 Patrick Yee using his Samsung Note II to capture some of the scenes

After 4 years, the trails are now much wider and prominent. At certain areas, they even have parallel trails to cater for the big number of trekkers. 

I see that there are some arrow signs painted on the rock. That is good. However, I also see gratify at many rock surfaces.

Taking photos at the most strategic point offering a good panoramic view of the surrounding is not easy as everyone wants to be there standing among the rocks.

 The city view with houses and condo nestle among hills

Last time, we used to stop at certain far end and we returned the same way repeating the precarious rock climbing tasks again. This time, led by SuWF, we returned via the orchard way. So a few of the team members who were first time trekking this hill were relief after hearing the decision. Round trip is about 3.5 hours.

 The most scenic spot for taking photos

One interesting observation: I never see those trekkers ahead of me to return the same way competing for the narrow strip of space thus causing congestion. Just like what we were doing, I presume they all go down the hill via the orchard way which is a good idea. You can imagine that going up the ridge is like a one way flow of human traffic.

 SuWF, Sachi and Japanese friend, KC Leong

While going via the orchard way, the trail would lead one passing by a worker’s quarter. I met a worker wearing a reading glass reading a Malay dairy in the quiet plantation. According to him, with the clearing of other nearby forest for housing and development, many of the monkeys come to this orchard and they eat all fruits – whether ripe or otherwise. Which means all the durian, even before they are formed, have been eaten.

 The other team members happily posing for photos

 Notice the other trekker in red who is climbing up the rock surface ... a trekker must have strong arms and not fearful of height 

Another tricky situation trying to cross this peak

Do click here for all postings on Bukit Tabur; scroll down the pages.

Do click here for humorous situation application of Bukit Tabur.

Posted by KC Leong