K. A. L. A. S. A. G.: June 2012

Gunung Rajah

Height : 5,526 feet (1685 meters)

9-10 June 2012

Distance to campsite approximately 6-7 hours and another 2 hours to the peak.

Day 1
00:00 BUS: Larkin to Bentong, Pahang
04:00 ETA Pahang / Breakfast
06:00 Taxi to Chamang Waterfalls
08:00 Start Trek / Adventure begins
13:00 Lunch / Rest
14:00 Continue Trek
16:00 Reach Campsite - 7hrs
17:00 Continue Trek to summit
19:00 SUMMIT + photo session
20:00 Descend / night trek
22:00 Reach camp Site / Socials
23:00 Lights Off

Day 2

06:00 Rise and Shine
08:00 Breakfast / Break Camp
11:00 Descend
13:00 Lunch at the White Rock/ Swim-swim
14:00 Continue Trek
16:00 Reach the long and effin' logging trail
17:00 Reach Lata Chamang Waterfalls/ Clean- up
18:00 ETA; Taxi to Bentong - KL
20:15 Reach TBS KL Bus Station; Off to Singapore
02:00 HOME SWEET HOME :)

Woodlands Meet-Up

This is my first freedom climb ever. We're supposed to hike in Gunung Hantu Besar (Ghost Mountain) but unfortunately our guide there informed us last minute that the trail was closed and we're no longer allowed to camp. Our Team Leader, Ernie initiated to climb Gunung Rajah instead and thought that it would be the best way in which we don't have to waste our expensive bus tickets that was bought beforehand.

Breakfast at TBS Bus Station

To be honest, I agreed to join this Freedom climb without a proper training and at that time I really had no idea where this mountain is nor how high it is, and from what I have learned from others who already climb Rajah - the trek is going to be TOUGH. Phew.

Gunung Rajah is located in Pahang and most trekkers start the trek from the foot of Chamang Waterfall in Bentong, Pahang. Physical fitness and stamina was more than a pre-requisite for this trek and the total distance covered was approximately 32km and that was inclusive of the long undulating logging trail in the beginning.

Take 5 :)

We have successfully reached the summit of Gunung Rajah for a whole day non-stop trek. Due to time constraints, we compressed this climb to 2 days/ 1 night itinerary. It requires one to trek through the initial logging trail which feels really far and long! After which we trek along undulating terrains of the logging trail then reached the steep slopes of the gorge. The path becomes narrow after the gushing rapids along the logging trails. The trail gets steeper and muddy. Good thing is that there's no sights of leeches. It was not easy trekking up to the campsite as one would have to circumvent many fallen tree trunks, and have to navigate through muddy and steep terrains. A trek where all of us should keep a reasonable safety distance between one another.Not long after ascending to the steep and muddy slopes, we cross a few rivers before reaching the campsite. It was a sigh of relief. Thank God as well, we were blessed and fortunate for the good weather. We pitched our tents at the campsite, rested for a while and continue to climb. Each of us must have that eager "summit push." We were all careful of our handholds and footholds while ascending.

Adam and Eve's Tree

It's just 4pm and it was getting cold already and the air was moist. We began to gain more body heat while scrambling through the uneven mossy forest on that afternoon then VOILA! Signs of ropes were seen just after the false summit. Geez. The actual summit is a vertical rock face with ropes slinging by the side to assist the us all up to the top.

We have reached the summit just before the sun sleeps. And it was very beautiful. The sight of Genting Highlands far right, the exquisite mountain ridges plus the enchanting sea of clouds. It was indeed breathtakingly perfect, a worth of long and tiring trek.