Johor Hiking Part 2 (Kluang)

Johor Hiking Part 2 (Kluang) from 28-30 Sept 2024 (Sat-Sun-Mon) ... covering Lata Tengkorak Waterfall, Trans Gunung Berlumut - Rimau, Trans Payong. 

Team members:

KC Leong, Amy Chan, Chan How Nean, Felicia Hew, Iris Lee, Jen Nee, Josephine Lee, Kellie Wong, Mei Chew, Rachel Thang, Rose Cheong, Sabrina Lim, TongSH, Vandy Yap, and Wey Tyng.

Mountain guide:  Apul +0116 386 6225

Do CLICK HERE to view 109 photos by KC Leong.

Day 1 hike to Lata Tengkorak Waterfall

Day 1: 

Lata Tengkorak waterfall and BBQ at Hutan Lipur Gunung Belumut.

Entering into the forest reserved areas of Johor

Lata Tengkorak Waterfall

Having fun and good time at the waterfall

Delicious BBQ fish and chicken prepared by mountain guide, Apul

Day 2 start of Gunung Berlumut and Gunung Rimau trans-peak hike

Day 2: 

Reversed trans Gunung Berlumut and Gunung Rimau

G. Berlumut elevation: 1,010m;

G. Rimau elevation: 889m;

Distance : 16km; 

Elevation gain: 1,600m;

Total duration: 10 hours.

The trails are wide and clear with the yellow-earth ground. A total of four sections or check-points (CP) to arrive at Gunung Berlumut peak. CP1 section is mostly flat and CP4 section is steep and difficult; with CP2 and CP3 sections gaining elevation gradually. 

Group photos with other team members and guides

An imposing view - At CP4 section, there is one area where we could see the peak of Gunung Chemendong. It take another 4 hours from Gunung Berlumut peak to this peak.

The terrain of CP4 section 

At CP4 rest-area, this is the only place along the trails where there is water source. Apul makes coffee and cooks instant noodles for all. Two thumbs up to Apul !

The peak of Gunung Berlumut ... Rachel Thang with Apul's 10-year-old son who hiked with us swiftly until the other peak (Gunung Rimau).

Gunung Rimau peak - from the peak of Gunung Berlumut, it takes another 1 hr 30 min to arrive here; to return to G. Berlumut peak, another 1 hr 30 min. The V-shape terrain is steep.

Mist and sunbeam - During Day 2 of Gunung Berlumut-Rimau hike, heavy rain started at 2:45pm. At that time, Mei Chew and I were at CP4 section, still have about one-third of the CP4 distance to descend. This section is steep and steps are wide, also requires both hands to hold on to the ropes. With the mud water gushing down the same trail blocking the view for proper landing ground, it was indeed a tough challenge. After about one hour in the rain, at around 4pm at CP1 section, we saw the rays of sunlight shined through the foliage and the mist.

Day 3 - start of Trans Payong hike 

Day 3:

Trans Payung at Parit Sulong

(Bukit Botak, Bukit Berdiri, Bukit Payong)

Distance : 5km;

Total duration: 4 hours.

Moss growing on rocks that gives a rusty-orange appearance

(Left) Rose Choeng, Vandy Yap, Felicia Hew, Josephine Lee, Jen Nee

Rachel Thang and Jen Nee

Kellie Wong and Amy Chan

A final group photo at Bukit Payong

Late lunch in Muar town at 4pm. 

Do Click Here to view photos of Johor Hiking Part 1 (Kota Tinggi) from 10-12 June 2023. 

Kluang famous tau sar peah (豆沙饼) - the team ordered a total of 70 packets of the pastry from Tong Huat's Confectionary as take-home souvenir with the help of Felicia Hew whose hometown is from Kluang.

Posted by KC Leong

Sungai Pauh Part 3

Sungai Pauh Part 3 Camping & Hiking from 3-5 Sept 2024 ... Sungai Pauh Campsite is one of the best campsites in Msia, complete with wooden-plank platform, gazebo/pondok, electricity, hot water bath (with water heaters), and new toilets. Build by the slope of a hill, at the lower end, there is a stream running across the campsite. Another consideration is the affordable fee charges by the Forestry. And the added advantage of a pleasantly cold temperature at night which is located at Cameron Highlands. 

Do CLICK HERE to view photos courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

Procedure to apply permit - at the end of this posting. 

The Sungai Pauh campsite - this time, we are allocated at Deck B

Team members:

KC Leong, Ong Soon Aun, Tong San Hee, Ng Lay Keong, Chong Yin Fook;

Siew Wey Tyng, Iris Lee, Cheerie Ling, Mei Chew, Joyce Lee, Ai Luan, Yvonne Low;

Chan How Nean and Angie Ng;

Jimmy Teh and Julia Ooi;

Ong Gillian and Steven Lim;

Rocky Chan and Jackie Wong;

Derrick Tan and Yeoh Hooi Keng;

Kishen, Chee Eng Hooi and family.

Clean and flat wooden platform ... NgLK, Ai Luan, Joyce Lee

Tapak / tent lot – the Forestry has drawn up the tapak space for camping so that the 80 persons per night - maximum number - are given fair allocation. As suggested by the Forestry, the dimension of each tapak is able to accommodate two tents of 10'x10' each. Hence, for those who are bringing bungalow tents and a lot of camping accessories, the tapak may not be able to fit well.

Further up is the upper Deck C area

Tents layout – for group activities, it is good to set up a communal flysheet for all to gather and chill out, or a shelter when it rains. The smaller tents (say, 2-man tent) will be set up nearer to the communal flysheet follow by bigger tents (say, 3-man tent). Those tents with personal flysheet would be set up at the far end. The reason for this layout: neater so that the bigger tents are not blocking the smaller tents; setting up flysheet requires many guylines/paracords pin to the ground which may become a hindrance when one walks past.

Day 1 evening is potluck dinner

Day 2 morning in preparing breakfast ... Iris Lee, ChongYF, Wey Tyng, Rocky and Jimmy 

Moon Chair – Other than the necessary camping stuff, I find that the foldable low table and moon chair are also good to bring. For example, in the above photo, it would be enjoyable to cook a simple breakfast while seated comfortably. And at night, it is good for chilling out in the cool night of Cameron Highlands. 

Getting ready to hike to Gunung Berembun 

Taking a breather before arriving at the peak

At Gunung Berembun peak

Timing:

One way to the peak of Gunung Berembun: 2 hr 45 min (normal pace);

Round trip: 6 hours.

Day 3 - visiting Boh Tea Centre, Sungai Palas

At Boh Tea Centre, Sungai Palas

Pahang Forestry Website

Online Application 

https://forestry.pahang.gov.my/e-ecopark/

(a) create an account;

(b) book Sg Pauh campsite via the above website;

(c) wait for approval;

(d) pay fees via online;

(e) Entrance fee - must also pay via online. 

Hiking Gunung Berembun: must apply via above website also; pay fees via online; RM10 per person for permit. No need mountain guide. Under the column of Mountain Guide, put team member's name; 7 hikers to one mountain guide. 

Taman Eko Rimba Sungai Pauh

Google Maps drop-pin

https://maps.app.goo.gl/3WwASp1SAD9bZMf19

Do CLICK HERE for Sungai Pauh PART 2.

Posted by KC Leong

Jade Mountain Taiwan Hike

Hiking Jade Mountain (Taiwan's highest peak, 3,952m) from 6-15 May 2024 (10D9N) ... a self-drive hiking trip with a total spending of RM2,500 (exclude flight). 

Team Lead: Kevin Lee;

Organizer: KC Leong; 

Drivers: Kevin Lee and KC Leong;

Road system: left-hand drive (opposite of Msia);

Vehicles: Toyota Granvia MPV and Audi Q5 SUV;

Navigators: Josephine Lee and Claudia;

Restaurant and food: Wey Tyng, ChanHN, Ivy Wong; Mey Wong;

Treasurers: Amy Thew, Swee Khim, Mei Chew.

Total team members: 11 hikers.

Do click following URL link for photos courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

CLICK HERE for Part 1 of photo album;

CLICK HERE for Part 2.

Happy and proud moment being at the highest point of Taiwan ... Josephine Lee

Overnight at Alishan, near to Erwanping train station 阿里山森林鐵路二萬平車站

ITINERARY:

Day 1 - Taoyuan airport to Alishan 阿里山鄉 and overnight;

Day 2 - acclimatization hike at Er Wan Pin trail and Tefuye Historic trail; visit Fenqihu Old Street 奮起湖老街, overnight at Alishan;

Day 3 - start hike Jade Mountain at 10am; overnight at Paiyun Lodge 排云山庄;

Day 4 - ascent to peak at 3am; descent; overnight in Puli;

Day 5 - lunch at Lumama of QingJing area ; overnight at Hehunshan 合欢山 Ski Hostel;

Acclimatization at Tefuye Historic trail

Day 6 - hike Qilai South Peak 奇萊南華步道; hike Hehunshan 合欢山 East Peak 3,421m; overnight in Wuling Farm 武陵农场; 

Day 7 - guided tour of Wuling Farm, visit Snow Mountain Trailhead; hike to Taoshan waterfall; overnight at WuLing Farm 文康館(武陵國民賓館);

Day 8 - lunch at 靠海生活 restaurant, Magang馬崗; visit 九分 JiuFen (old town); dinner at Raoshe Street Night Market 饒河街觀光夜市; overnight in Mellow Field hotel 沃田旅店Taipei;

Day 9 - hike Qingtiangang 擎天崗 grassland scenic area; hike Mount Qixing七星山; sunset at Fisherman’s Wharf 淡水漁人碼頭; celebration dinner; overnight in Taipei;

Day 10 - dim sum lunch in a leading hotel; return to Kuala Lumpur.

Start hike at Jade Mountain trailhead ... 

(left) Swee Khim, Mey Wong, Ivy Wong, Amy, Josephine Lee, Mei Chew;

(right) Wey Tyng, ChanHN, Kevin Lee, Claudia, KC Leong.

In this Jade trip, we hiked 7 hills/mountains with the main focus as Jade Mountain.

(1) Jade Mountain;

(2) Tefuye Historic trail;

(3) Qilai South Peak 奇萊南華步道; 

(4) Hehunshan 合欢山 East Peak 3,421m; 

(5) Taoshan waterfall;

(6) Qingtiangang擎天崗 grassland scenic area; 

(7) Mount Qixing七星山.

Above the cloud feeling; sunrise at around 5:15am ... Claudia and Josephine Lee

A beautiful sunrise - worth all the effort in hiking thus far

At Jade Mountain peak

At Paiyun Lodge

Timing:

Trailhead to Paiyun Lodge = 4 hr 15 min;

Paiyun Lodge to peak = 3 hr.

Best time to start summitting: 2am (for sunrise at peak) or 3am (for sunrise along the trail, above the clouds). 

Overnight at Puli, a cozy and comfortable homestay

Lunch at Lumama, Qingjing area

At Hehuanshan

Overnight at Ski Hostel of Hehuanshan ... Swee Khim, Mei Chew, Wey Tyng, KC Leong

Qilai South Peak 奇萊南華步道

Hike Hehunshan 合欢山 East Peak 3,421m; flowers in full bloom ... Mey Wong, Amy, Josephine Lee, Claudia

 Hehunshan 合欢山 East Peak trailhead

Overnight at Wuling Farm

Visit Snow Mountain trailhead (Taiwan second highest peak)

Taoshan waterfall ... Wey Tyng, Josephine, Amy

Lunch at 靠海生活 restaurant, Magang馬崗 with a commanding view of the sea while dining

Visit 九分 JiuFen (old town)

Visit 九分 JiuFen (old town)

Qingtiangang 擎天崗 grassland scenic area

Mount Qixing七星山

Sunset at Fisherman’s Wharf 淡水漁人碼頭

A simple and joyful celebration dinner ... I love it when a plan comes together (A-Team TV Series slogan)

Do CLICK HERE to view photos of my maiden hike to Snow Mountain Taiwan in 2017.

Posted by KC Leong