Apik Hill Cheras Outing

Outing at Apik Hill Cheras on Saturday morning, 26 Nov with the star, Jo Jo the doggie, for a round trip of 5 hours ... With the daily afternoon rain, it is good just to go for a half-day outing. At the waterfall, it was full of people; maybe we all were having the same reasoning.

Do take note that bringing of dogs are not encouraged. While passing by the row of houses leading to the trailhead, the dogs in the houses barked excitedly and uncontrollably manner when they saw another new dog, thus making a lot of noise. A resident on motorcycle advised us not to bring dogs.

(do click on any of the photo for actual display size of photos)

Posted by KC Leong

Mount Siguniang 2017

Invitation to trek Mount Siguniang 2017 ... anyone interested? Free briefing and workshop on 11 Dec 2016, Sunday, 3:00 p.m. 

We will brief you the necessary tips in order to scale to the peak as planned.

(clock on the image for bigger display)

Do CLICK HERE for all postings/photos on Mount Siguniang ErFeng (2nd Sister Peak) climb.

Mount Siguniang 2nd Sister Peak (7)

SUMMIT AND RETURN – At 3:00 a.m. on 1 Nov 2016, the team members were ready, so were the mountain guides. The entire team started from the ErFeng base camp 4200m and set out in the final ascent into the dark, freezing cold mountains. Judging from the light of the headlamps, there were not many trekkers going up to ErFeng. Slowly but surely, we were glad that we finally reached the peak at 8:45 a.m. The final few hundred meters were a step climb that requires one to hold on to the railing. A slip on the slipery snow ground would be fatal. 

When we returned to base camp again, it was around 1pm. After lunch, we packed and got ready to trek down the mountains at 2:30 p.m. By the time we reached Rilongzhen, it was 6:00 p.m. It was a long day of trekking. 

We put up the next two nights in the same guesthouse of Rilongzhen, mostly free and easy activities. We then transferred by 4WD to Chengdu and spend another night in Chengdu; and boarded our Air AsiaX plane home. And that completed our 11 days of memorable journey. Credit and appreciation go to our trekking agent/ team lead – Eddie Ang of The Guide Proshop, Melawati – who is committed in his work and took good care of the team members.

Do CLICK HERE to view photo album #4 Summit and Return (85 photos).

 The peak of Mount Siguniang ErFeng (2nd Sister Peak) is visible now

 KS Tan, Marcus Ng, KC Leong and Albert Koo; only half the team members make it thus far

 Slippery snow and holding on to the safety railing is crucial

 Finally, we make it to the peak of Mount Siguniang Erfeng (2nd Sister Peak) of 5276m

 The following day, it was free-and-easy shopping for souvenir at Rilongzhen

 Our chief mountain guide, SanFeng (same sound as in 3rd Sister Peak) is roasting two chicken for our simple celebration

 Cheers! A simple dinner and a simple celebration

 Handing over our flag to the owner of this guesthouse (3rd from left)

 Back in Chengdu, we visited the panda park in the morning. In the same evening, we boarded our Air AsiaX flight back to KUL.

There are many pandas there, big and small

Do CLICK HERE for Part 6.... do CLICK HERE for Part 1.

Do CLICK HERE for all postings/photos on Mount Siguniang ErFeng (2nd Sister Peak) climb.

Posted by KC Leong

Mount Siguniang 2nd Sister Peak (6)

TO ERFENG BASE CAMP – After the paper work for registration at the park office at Rilongzhen, the team set out for the real journey to ErFeng or 2nd Sister Peak. At the mountain ridge area, we could see the peaks of Mount Siguniang clearly. We also saw the ribbon markers for the Siguniang Ultra-trail running event (60km and 42km), to be held on 4 Nov 2016, passing by the same trails. 

At 1:00 p.m., we rested at a guesthouse and have our lunch there with food packed from Rilongzhen during breakfast. We met a group of quite senior trekkers from Ipoh Perak. I spoke to their leader and their implementation was quite a challenging one: stay overnight in a guesthouse at Rilongzhen 3200m; in the morning, start trekking from trailhead; put up a night at ErFeng base camp 4200m; rest for a few hours and started the summit attack at 2:00 a.m. the following morning. This method was tough as a trekker would not have the time to adapt to high altitude for acclimitisation and would be exhausted with the long hours of trekking.

The team camped at Da Hai Zi campsite (or Big Lake, 3800m) for one night; there was a little snowing in the early morning. After breakfast, the team then proceeded to ErFeng base camp (or 2nd Sister Peak, 4200m) preparing for the summit attack the following morning. 

Do CLICK HERE to view photo album #3 To ErFeng Base Camp (128 photos). 

 Posing with the chief mountain guide (standing, R2), his mountain guides and the support crew

Traversing on the mountain ridge ... Mount Siguniang peaks are on the left

 Mount Siguniang Peaks (left to right):  YaomeiFeng (Youngest Sister 6250m), SanFeng (3rd Sister 5355m), ErFeng (2nd Sister 5276m), DaFeng (Big Sister 5025m)

 A trail runner is seen practising on the actual trails guided by the ribbon markers. The Siguniang Ultra-trail running event (60km and 42km) will be held in a few days' time on 4 Nov 2016

 Having our lunch here ... this guesthouse sells noodles, drinks, munchies

 Arriving at Da Hai Zi (Big Lake) 

 Camp overnight at Da Hai Zi (Big Lake) 3800m ... there was slight snowing in the following early morning

 Eddie, the trekking agent/ Team Lead, demonstrating how to use the two trekking poles for easier ascending and descending a slope

 After breakfast, the journey continues to ErFeng base camp 4200m

 Taking a breather and having our lunch with food packed during our breakfast ... YS Tan brought the Wor Lai Yeah meat floss. It sure tasted superb there

 The Hua Hai Zi (Flower Lake) 

 Arriving at ErFeng base camp 4200m

 ErFeng (or 2nd Sister) base camp 4200m

Do CLICK HERE for Part 7 (final); do CLICK HERE for Part 5.

Do CLICK HERE for all postings/photos on Mount Siguniang ErFeng (2nd Sister Peak) climb.

Posted by KC Leong

Mount Siguniang 2nd Sister Peak (5)

ACCLIMITISATION CAMPING for Mount Siguniang 2nd Sister Peak – After putting up a night at the guesthouse of Rilongzhen, the next morning, the team was set out on an acclimatisation camping journey at Muluozi campsite (3800m). This trail is very scenic and beautiful. Besides, there are many tourists too; some could not walk the distance and rode with the horse services.

We started the trekking at 10:00 a.m., by the time we arrived at the campsite, it was 4:00 p.m. – a very good timing to set up tents and get ready for dinner.

It started snowing at 8:30 p.m., by 11:00 p.m., we could see the snow was encroaching closer to our tent.  The next morning, we were pleasantly surprised to see the transformation in the scenery – from the vibrant colours of the mountains to the gloomy grey of the winter. With the good sleeping bag (that can withstand sub-zero temperature) and the good tents from the trekking agent, together with the proper warm clothing, it was comfortable sleeping in the tent.

We returned to the guesthouse for another night's stay.

Do CLICK HERE to view photo album #2 Acclimitisation Camping (140 photos).

The journey to the peak continues ... stay tuned for more photos.

 The trail to Muluozi campsite starts here

 The first part of the journey are walking on solid platforms of six feet wide ... Eddie, the trekking agent/ Team Lead, Alex Tan and Huda

 Passing by and traverse throgh a lakeside area

 Cooking our lunch with the gas stove that we brought from KUL

 There is horses service that brings one to the Muluozi campsite

 The entire trail is scenic running alongside the stream

 Arriving at the Muluozi campsite with the ice-capped Big Sister Mountain in the background

 Yeah! the tents are ready!

 What a transformation the following morning!

 Yeah! the journey continues!

 This mystic wooden structure is actually the toilet 

 Another campsite further down the valley

The amount of ice accumulated on the flowers

Do CLICK HERE for Part 4; do CLICK HERE for Part 6.

Do CLICK HERE for all postings/photos on Mount Siguniang ErFeng (2nd Sister Peak) climb.

Posted by KC Leong

Mount Siguniang 2nd Sister Peak (4)

TO TRAILHEAD RILONGZHEN – On 26 Oct 2016, the team assembled excitedly at KLIA2 set out for an exciting journey for trekking Mount Siguniang ErFeng 5276m (or 2nd Sister Peak). The team flew to Chengdu city, put up a night in one of the guesthouse. The following morning we then transferred by 4WD to Rilongzhen, a journey that took four hours. Rilongzhen is the trailhead for the trekking up to Mount Siguniang 2nd Sister Peak.

Do CLICK HERE to view Photo Album #1 To Trailhead Rilongzhen (53 photos).

 The team assembled at KLIA2

 Arriving at a guesthouse in Chendu, Sichuan Province

 En route to Rilongzhen

 Passing by Balangshan pass 4200m above sea level

 A tourist viewpoint for Mount Siguniang

At Rilongzhen, the trailhead for climbing Mount Siguniang

Posing in front of our guesthouse

Do CLICK HERE for Part 5; CLICK HERE for Part 3.

Do CLICK HERE for all postings/photos on Mount Siguniang ErFeng (2nd Sister Peak) climb.

Posted by KC Leong

Mount Siguniang 2nd Sister Peak (3)

SUMMIT ATTACK – starting the journey from Erfeng base camp (4200m) at 3:00 a.m. on 1 Nov 2016, the team trekked towards the peak in freezing cold conditions; and in darkness, illuminating the trail with only our headlamps. With each step forward, slowly but surely, the team finally arrived at the peak at 8:45 a.m.

Mount Siguniang Peaks (4 Sisters Peaks):  YaomeiFeng (Youngest Sister 6250m), SanFeng (3rd Sister 5355m), ErFeng (2nd Sister 5276m), DaFeng (Big Sister 5025m)

(click on the photos for bigger displays)

 (left) YS Tan, Marcus Ng, KC Leong and Albert Khoo

 Slowly but surely we are heading towards the peak of 2nd Sister (of Mount Siguniang)

 Yeah! We made it at 5276 m of 2nd Sister Peak (Marcus and KC)

Posing with chief mountain guide (left; his name is SanFeng) and his assistant (right) ... Albert Khoo, Marcus and KC

Do CLICK HERE for Part 4; do CLICK HERE for Part 2.

Do CLICK HERE for all postings/photos on Mount Siguniang ErFeng (2nd Sister Peak) climb.

Posted by KC Leong