First off, my stamina / strength. I started hiking once or twice a month for few years now, but nothing serious. Mostly I hike in Bukit Wawasan or Bukit Kiara. Have also hike in Bukit Gasing, Bukit Saga, Bukit Nanas, Bukit Tugu and the likes. I really loves the fact that I'm working out, training my instincts and reactions on where to step and where not to, plus I have fallen in love with the nature. I also runs 5km on the treadmill twice a week.
Two days before the long weekend, my friend texted me if I'm interested to follow them to climb Gunung Nuang. I said yes instantly, and then it hit me that this is probably not the regular little hills that I have been hiking. So, I texted another experience hiker and ask her the difficulty level between Gunung Nuang and Bukit Wawasan. She said, "one is gunung and one is bukit, what do you think?" So, that is how my search in the blogospheres begun.
There are many blogs about Gunung Nuang, but look for the "To Bring List". You see, when I go on my regular hiking, I bring nothing except one small bottle of water in my waist band and my car key. I hike up and down the hill and be back to the car park in 2 - 3 hours. Climbing Gunung Nuang is a totally different ball game. We are looking at 7 - 10 hours round trip. So, these are the items that I think is quite mandatory:
1. Water, you need at least 1.5 liters;
2. Food, you will need high energy food like chocolates, energy bars, banana etc;
3. Phone / camera, I think you know why;
4. Windbreaker / rain coat, in case it rains and it can get chilly;
5. Gloves (I'll explained why later);
6. First aid kit or at least some plasters just in case you fell;
7. Very good hiking shoes;
8. Hiking stick, not mandatory but it helps me, like a lot;
9. Knee guards (esp if your knees are weak);
10. Extra clothes and slippers that you can change into when you come down. If too heavy, leave it in the car.
So, here's my story as a regular hiker attempting to climb a mountain.
The climb to Gunung Nuang starts in Janda Baik at 7.30am. We park our car, pay RM7 and off we go. As most blogs would tell you, there is apparently 4 sections of the climb.
The first section starts from the car park where you will go through a vegetable farm and the never ending gravel path. I'm not sure how far is the walk but although it does not involves climbing, somehow I got tired in the first section.
The second section starts when you enter into the woods. This section is almost like a walk in the park! The second section ends at the Chemperoh Waterfall.
When I reached the waterfall, I no longer feel tired! The Chemperoh waterfall is so beautiful and is the pit stop for most hikers. Now, if you think you cannot reach the peak, you should stop here. This is the place where you can camp and chill and enjoy the waterfall. Once you decide to leave the waterfall and climb, you will have to go all the way. There is no more pit stop or a place for you to chill and wait.
For me the real test of climbing Gunung Nuang starts after the waterfall. The distance is probably half way but the effort needed is 2/3 or even 3/4 of the climb. You just keep climbing and climbing and climbing with no end. It was really tiring and so this is where you mental strength helps to push you on.
Finally after more than 4 hours, I almost reached the summit except there is one very big rock boulder separating us from stepping our foot on the summit. So for the very first time, I did rock climbing in the open at the mountain cliff! The picture doesn't show how scary it is. Suffice to say, I hang on for dear life with my fingers and taking my time to find good foot landing step by step as I know if I do slip, I will fall to my death. Gloves will definitely helps you to have a more secure grip here.
And then I step my foot on the summit! I did it! It is a big deal for me! BIG! After hiking through gravels, muds, crossing rivers stepping on slippery stones, rocks, in between tree roots and general forest pathways, I reached the peak, 1,493 meters above sea level.
 |
| Andreas, Jeffrey, Me, Linda and Inge. They are the best hiking buddies, like ever! |
 |
| My Wikiloc record (one way up) |
 |
| The most beautiful view at the peak |
After climbing and hiking for four and a half hours, my body is tired, my legs' muscles are sore and now, I need to repeat the journey again. Descending definitely takes less time it takes for you to climb but nevertheless it is not an easy feat, at least not for hikers like me. I had a really tough time when climbing down the steep descend. My legs are so tired it actually wobbles and at some point, my legs refused to listen to me anymore that I need to sit and pull myself down. The hiking sticks really comes into play here. It is like the 3rd leg I never have. So, after what feels like forever, I managed to crawl into the parking lot on the 8th hour of the journey.
Listen to the sound of the forest
As I'm writing this blog 3 days later, both my legs are still in pain but I'm sure the feel good memory of me achieving this will stay on way longer. So, hike away! Go find a group of considerate hikers and just make the journey (if you think you are fit enough). Feel the brother/sisterhood of hikers, greet and be greeted by everyone along the way, feel the mother earth, feel God's creation, listen to the symphony of the forest, and finally post that photo of you holding the sign ...
"Saya Telah Tawan Puncak Gunung Nuang!"
This video is compiled by Inge Bursell - excellent hiker & runner and fantastic friend!
Location : Gunung Nuang, Malaysia
Date : September 2019
