Hiking up Bukit Kutu - 1054m

Date climbed : 20 Feb 2011

How to get there :
Travel time : 1 hour 15 mins from Bangsar to Kg Pertak
From Jalan Maarof head towards Sri Hartamas/Mont Kiara direction
Go past Securities Commission on the right until the end of the road, take the right turn
Then take the split road on the left (you will see Solaris Mont Kiara/Cold Storage/SOHO on the left)
Go up Duke Expressway and exit to Jalan Kuching / Selayang
(This is a scenic road that takes you through the "old towns")
Just follow the road, go past Bukit Takun, Kanching, Templer Park on your right 
Go past Rawang town (up the flyover to head towards Serendah)
You will past by the small towns like Serendah, Anatara Gapi, Batang Kali, Rasa
Look out for the sign to turn right into Kuala Kubu Baru
The road is slightly winding, go past Bomba on the right until you come to a set of traffic lights
At the lights, turn right
Follow the road and it will lead you to another scenic drive round the dam
After a bridge look out for the sign "Pertak" (not sure if its Pertak or Kg Pertak or Sg Pertak) and turn right
It will lead you to a T Junction and take the right turn
Follow the road (narrow road) going past Kampung Pertak (Orang asli) until a clearing (on the left and right) where you can park your car. Cars are either parked at this clearing or parked alongside the road further up

At the base :
Sungai Luit is visible from the road side
This is where we shower and clean up after the hike up Bukit Kutu

Trekking time and terrain :
On moderate speed with some photography and a rest at C5 (huge boulders) - up 3 hours, down 1 hour 40 mins
Terrain rating 6/10
Description of terrain : At the start cross 2 rivers on the bridge, come to a fork turn right and follow the path till a river. Cross the river (knee deep) and take the left fork after the river. (After this will there will be another 3 small river crossings where you wont get wet)
Follow the path until another fork, take the right one until the next fork, take the right one also
There are markers along the way after this. The trail is clear with some crawling under the bamboo trees
After 45 minutes of fairly flat grounds, you will come to the steep incline of about 50 degrees. This will continue for about an hour or so till C5. From C5 to the peak/campsite is about 45 minutes, fairly flat.
There is an old well which is still working - water can be used to clean up or for washing if you are camping. Adviseable to carry water for drinking and cooking.
Huge campsite available.

At the peak :

A 360 degrees view after climbing up the boulder (u can virtually be on top of the world)
Weather can change rapidly.... if you get clear skies, capture the moment as it may not last! (mist can come in within minutes)
An old chimney is still standing tall after all these years and the steps that leads to what was once a house built during the British Administration
Venturing further on, you can find an old fort, quite visibly of what used to be another house within 15 minutes of walking

The old chimney at the campsite

At the peak!

View of the dam from the peak

View from the peak

Hiking up Gunung Angsi - 825m

Date climbed : 23 January 2011

How to get there :
Travel time : 1.5 hours from Sg Besi tol to Bukit Putus base
On North South Expressway, take exit 219 to Port Dickson / Seremban exit
Follow road signs to Kuala Pilah (will pass by many traffic lights and LEKAS highway on the left)
After LEKAS highway look out for the signboard Bukit Putus and take a right turn
The road will be winding and slight uphill for about 5 mins
Park at the left side of the road (there is a clearing where we can park)

At the base :
Ferny trail starts about 800m away from Bukit Putus and known as Bukit Putus 2
No proper shower and toilet facilities available for use
Cleaning up can be done in the nearby stream (across the road), less than 100m from where the cars are parked


Trekking time and terrain :
On moderate speed with some photography - up on Ferny Trail 2 hours 50 mins, down on Bukit Putus 1 hour (coming down on Bukit Putus can be hot!)
Terrain rating 6/10
Description of terrain : 95% flat on ferny trail about 1 hour 15 mins. Will come to a stream, cross it (wont get wet) and the uphill begins about 45 degrees uphill almost all the way, one way, no visible forks for about 1 hour 35 mins. Along the way there will be a place where one needs to climb up using ropes

At the peak :
Not much view can be seen but it is a good training ground for uphill climbs

The attraction :
A R&R area while you are coming down from Bukit Putus

On the way to Angsi, cannot resist taking a picture of the beautiful skies

The starting point of Ferny Trail or Bukit Putus 2

The river crossing

This was what we did while waiting for Yew Keong at the peak

And when he finally arrived at the peak, all of us jumped with joy

Resting at R&R

 

Yew Keong - who finally made it to the base, that's how he looked

Lower Lengka

Date : 12 February 2011

How to get there :
Location undisclosed

Trekking time and terrain :
On moderate speed with some photography - in and out 8 hours with short play times at each cascade/fall
Terrain rating 7/10 (not recommended for beginners)
Description of terrain : Trekking in loose soil, slippery paths, river crossings (no proper paths, no markings)
Few cascades and falls along the way with pools to swim in

At the last fall :
Tall and majestic fall, outstanding height of approx 45 metres

The waterfall king testing his 4WD to cross the stream with helper pushing from the back :)

Cascade with pool

More cascades

Next cascade, some cannot resist but to jump in

Natural reflexology

Lower Lengka, after a lot of hard work!

Thank you Harry!

Hiking up Gunung Datuk - 870m

Date climbed : 15 Feb 2011

How to get there :
Travel time : 1.5 hours from Sg Besi tol to Gunung Datuk base
On North South Expressway, take exit 223 to Pedas/Linggi
After tol, at the junction, turn left (road sign lead to Rembau)
Go straight until roundabout, take the 3 o'clock turn
Follow the road until you come to a set of traffic lights - turn right
Go straight and look out for signs that lead to Gunung Datuk - the last sign (sort of a tower will say Gunung Datuk 500m turn left)
Travel approximately 4km and turn left (road sign is visible) - this will take you through the rubber estate
When you come to a fork, take the left one and it will take you to the Gunung Datuk base

At the base :
Register and pay RM 3 as entrance
Proper shower and toilet facilities available for use
For those who are collecting climbing certificates, its available at RM 5

Trekking time and terrain :
On moderate speed with some photography - up 1 hour 35 mins, down 50 mins
Terrain rating 4/10
Description of terrain : About 30 degrees uphill all the way, one way, no visible forks

At the peak :
Huge boulders visible with ladders to climb up to the peak
A 360 degrees view
Straits of Malacca can be seen on a clear day
Windy, can be cold at times. Make sure one is always firmly on the ground as the wind can be very strong!

35 mins to this landmark

At this point its only 2 mins away from the lower peak which is also a campsite (If you are camping, there is no water source at the peak)

 

The huge boulders and ladders to climb

 

View from the peak

On top of the boulder

Feeling on top of the world!

Hiking up The Pinnacles - Gunung Api 1750m

Dates of my visit - August 27-31, 2010

Location : Mulu National Park, Sarawak
Itinerary :
Day 1 - Arrive Miri, Visited Lambir National Park, Overnight at Dillenia Guesthouse
Food recommendation : Sarawak Laksa at Restaurant Tasty Point, Seafood dinner at Restaurant Meng Chai

Day 2 - Transfer to Mulu on the morning flight, Canopy Walk (needs to be prebooked), Langs Cave, Deer Cave, Evening Exodus of bats, Overnight in Riverview Lodge
Note : There is no phone reception in Mulu except at the peak of Pinnacles. Only bottled water is available for purchase. Another option is to purchase in Miri and carry in.

Day 3 - Boat ride for visit to Penan Village, Wind Cave, Clearwater Cave and transfer by boat to Kuala Litut to begin the 8.8km trek into Camp5, Ovenight in Camp5
Note : Pack light to trek into Camp5. The rest of clothings can be left at the Guesthouse. The trek is about 90% flat but long. A decent walk would take about 2 hours. At Camp5 drinking water is available in a stainless steel pot. No power points to charge phone/camera.

Day 4 - Pinnacles Climb (The only place with phone reception is at the peak), Overnight in Camp5
Note : Terrain is about 50 degrees all the way and must arrive at the ladder point by 11am. Otherwise will not be allowed to go up to the peak. From Camp5 to the ladder point would take approx 3 hours and the ladder to the peak approx 1 hour. This is of moderate speed with some photography sessions.

Day 5 - Trek out from Camp5 to Kuala Litut, transfer to airport for return flight to Miri then home


How to get there : From Kuala Lumpur Fly Air Asia to Miri then MasWings to Mulu OR Fly Direct on MAS to Mulu (also via Miri)


Accomodation :
Miri - Dillenia Guesthouse at Jalan Sida (Can arrange for pick up with owner, Mrs Lee) - Various choices of accomodation available with breakfast included. Coffee, tea, water help yourself to it.

Contact details

Mrs Lee's own handiwork

 Mulu - Riverview Lodge, Outside the National Park (Electricity available from 5pm to 12 midnight).

Dormitory Style with 4 bathrooms available

Mulu - Camp5 (Sorry! Did not take a picture) - Basically dormitory style living by the river with cooking facilities. Some trekkers cook on their own while some package all with food included.

Places of interest
Miri - Lambir National Park
Go to Pujut Bus Station in Miri town (it is the outstation bus stop in town) via bus or taxi
At Pujut buy tickets from the counter - ask to go to Lambir National Park, inform the driver that you are stopping at Lambir National Park
Many trails available, clearly marked and map can be obtained when you register at the counter. The trail we took was for approximately 4km and completed in 2 hours
To return, just hop on any bus which says Miri - it will take you to the Pujut Bus Station where you can get a taxi to Miri town

Latak Waterfall

Nibong Waterfall

 

Clearly marked trails

 Miri - Marina Bay to watch sunset - a friend took me there.

Mulu - Canopy Walk "The Mulu Canopy Skywalk at 480 metres is the longest tree-based walkway in the World. As you walk among the ferns and vines 15 – 25 metres above the forest floor and river you will enjoy this unique opportunity to get closer to the rainforest ‘web of life’"

The entrance to the National Park

Hanging bridge

Some things one can see along the way

Mulu - "Langs Cave.Small and intimate, with walls beautifully decorated with long shawls, layers of rim stone pools on the floor, and throughout the cave, spectacular stalagmites and stalactites. In this smaller cave the bats are easier to see, small white cave prawns hide in pools of water and shimmering near the roof are strands of web spun by the thread worm larvae waiting for a passing meal"

 

Mulu - "Deer Cave with ancient riverbed and one wonders at the force of the water that once roared through, tumbling huge boulders around and carving the scalloped walls. Above your head columns of water stream from the roof to join the river passages that twist and turn through the mountain, continuously enlarging and changing the shape of the cave. The path continues to wind deeper into the blackness of the cave and suddenly the Garden of Eden appears in the distance, a green oasis shining in the sunlight. Nearby are Adam and Eve’s Showers spouting 30 metre columns of water to the river far below."At the Deer Cave a profile face of Abraham Lincoln can be seen!

Garden of Eden

Abraham Lincoln?

 
Mulu - Bat Exodus At Bat Observatory Area - "Twelve species of bats have been recorded within Deer Cave, including the Wrinkled-Lipped Bat, a colony of free-tailed bats estimated to number between 2.5 and 3.5 million. Each evening the bats gather at the cave entrance in large ring-shaped formations, circling higher and higher up the cliff face before moving out across the rainforest in spiraling ribbons. It has been estimated that nightly each bat consumes between five and ten grams of flying insects. This means that 3 million bats will return in the morning to deposit a huge amount of guano in the cave and provide a unique ecosystem, home to millions of insects and their predators. The bats leave the cave on most evenings between 5.30 pm and 6.30 pm but on rare occasions do not leave at all"
 

Mulu - Penan Village (by boat) - where some local hand made products were sold.... the Penans were early settlers in Mulu and were relocated into this village where they are taken care of...... there is a small clinic (no hospitals in Mulu), a school and a new longhouse. It was interesting to observe the place, a back to nature type of life.....The Penans "has a remarkable understanding of the rainforest, they have used for generations for their food, medicines, tool making and building shelters"
 

The Penan Longhouse

Handiworks on sale

Our boats

Chief steward

Mulu - Wind Cave by boat - "Wind Cave where millions of years ago, the first minute calcite crystals were deposited, building majestic columns and stalagmites in the King’s Chamber" One can feel the wind in a small passage way in the caves - feels like air cond! (Was not able to capture good photographs due to lighting conditions of the chamber)

 

Mulu - Clearwater Cave (Adventure caving is available) One needs to climb over 200 steps to arrive at the cave entrance. "The river roaring beneath your feet has travelled its subterranean route for over 108 km. Giant logs thrown high on the banks and wedged under boulders are evidence of the power of this mighty underground river.Outside the cave, one can swim in the crystal-clear waters where the river emerges from the cliff face."

Walking from Wind Cave to Clearwater Cave - A prelude to the view of Pinnacles

Entrance into the cave after climbing over 200 steps

One leaf plant

After Clearwater Cave, we head towards Kuala Litut where the trek into Camp5 begins. Along the way, the boat needs to pushed several times due to low water levels and that we were travelling against the river flow.
"Camp 5 sits besides the Sungai Melinau and faces the spectacular Benarat cliffs. This comfortable jungle accommodation has fully equipped kitchens, dining room and bathrooms"

Sg Melinau

Benarat Cliffs with the hanging bridge over Sg Melinau

Pinnacles Climb information available at the dining area

The Pinnacles Climb briefing :
1. We start hike at 0630 (earliest is 6am, latest by 7am)
2. We had to reach a point by 1100 (just before the ladders)
3. If it rains in the morning the climb would be cancelled
4. The first part was "kacang"
5. Then came "panjang" - a very long route inclined with no proper rest areas.....

Mulu - Pinnacles - "The pinnacle formations of Gunung Api and Benarat are spectacular examples of this limestone feature. Mulu’s Pinnacles tower above the surrounding landscape, some reaching heights of 40 to 50 metres.  Centuries of water have eroded and dissolved the rock into razor sharp spikes which knife skywards through the surrounding rainforest.The trail to view the Pinnacles is only 2.4 km long but rises 1,200m and the last section is near vertical with ropes and ladders to climb. Fit, experienced trekkers may reach the top in 2–3 hours, the not so fit around 4–5 hours. For many, the descent is more difficult and can take 5 hours or more"

Gems of the jungle..

At Mini Pinnacles where one can stop and rest. For some bottles of water are unloaded here and collected on return trip to carry minimal weight up the Pinnacles

The trek

The starting of the ladders

The Pinnacles

The Pinnacles

An owl we saw along the way, another gem of jungle!

The Pinnacles Climb is not an easy one although its not unachievable but takes a lot of determination and mental strength to conquer it....

"descriptions of the places are abstracts from the Mulu National Park website" http://www.mulupark.com/