Mount Nuang

Gunung Nuang

(via Pangsoon/Ulu Langat)

(2D/1N)

Gunung Nuang is the highest peak in Selangor, at 1,493m/4,898 ft. It's a difficult climb and a highly-rated practice climb for those looking to attempt any of the G7 or  G12

There's a reason why it's a highly-recommended training climb, and I was going to find out why, the hard way.

It seems like such a small climb compared with Malaysia's highest peak, Gunung Kinabalu (13,435 ft), but its rough and steep terrain makes it a challenge. A climb in dry weather is a completely different experience to a climb in wet conditions. I've been told by super-experienced hikers that if you can climb Nuang in wet conditions, you can climb any mountain in Malaysia. That's how much respect Nuang has.

So yes, any sane person would pick this as a first climb in ten years with no training.

I set off one afternoon in 2012 with three friends. We took the route through Hulu Langat. You can search for “Hutan Lipur Gunung Nuang” on Waze or GoogleMaps, and it will take you to a small entrance. You can also opt to climb Nuang from the Pahang side (Janda Baik), but it is less challenging.

There's a fee of RM1, and in the parking area there are restrooms and showers, and food and drinks vendors. The entrance is open 24/7 for night climbs.

We got there around 9am, and met up with the caretaker and guide, Along. You don't need to go with a guide, but as I would be the only climber to go up to the peak, I thought it would be a good idea to go with an experienced climber who knows the terrain. Along has been caretaker for many years and knows Nuang like the back of his hand, and he can point out edible and medicinal plants if you are keen to learn.

 Along in red shirt (https://www.facebook.com/onajee.qlong)

The four of us set off up the trail.
You are deceived into thinking, oh is it going to be this lovely the whole way? 

Pill Milipede!

Beehive Ginger Plant!

Soft shell Turtle at the riv (Scientific name: Pelodiscus sinensis)

Snake!

Centipede!

Scorpio!

Ok, this is the time to tell you about leeches. Sometimes there are none, but sometimes they never stop attacking. Wave after wave blood-thirstly leeches. If you get one (or many), don't panic at the sight of your blood seeping through your clothes. Carry some salt to put on the leech, or if you are sure, pluck it off. Some say applying minyak cap kapak on your socks and ankles will deter these buggers from biting.  Some more experienced hikers simply let the leech eat its fill and it will just fall off and pass out like your old uncle in front of the TV after a huge Hari Raya meal.
Rub some antiseptic cream on the wound, and carry on. The bites will start to itch, but scratching can lead to heavy scarring, so I wouldn't want to go there. Some people say the first hiker in line never gets bitten, but that's not true. If they like you, they like you. They don't care who's first.

The climb from the gate to the peak and usually takes about 5-7 hours for the average casual weekend hiker, but you can break the hike up by camping overnight at one of the campsites along the trail. More experienced climbers can do it in half the time.

At the end of the logging/motorcycle trail is a small river crossing, and the last checkpoint where there is a surau/concrete shelter. We decided to camp at Lolo about 10-20 mins away 
 for the night and get up early for the climb to the peak. 

I continued the climb with Along, as one friend stayed behind at the camp site and the other two went back down to the camp site 

Lolo is the first of three major checkpoints, with the others being Pacat (1,095m), Pengasih (1,475m). Just before Lolo is a waterfall, with a small wooden platform which you have to walk

 across before crossing the river. 

If you are lucky, you'll get to climb Nuang during the durian season and smell it all around you. There are many huge trees, and we stopped to take pictures of interesting insects and plants along the way. There are several river crossings as well, but the water is generally shallow (although at some points the current is fast and you can lose your balance on the slippery rocks). Wear waterproof shoes, or Adidas Kampung.

The climb from Lolo to Pacat was mainly navigating between roots, and sometimes climbing rocks. The distance between each of the checkpoints narrows, but the climb increases in difficulty.

We reached Pacat about one hour after the final river crossing. It wasn't easy at all to keep pace with Along, but he made sure I was within a safe distance at all times. Pacat is a popular pit stop for a quick snack.This is also the last water point before the final push to the false peak and actual peak There are dogs in this area, but all are quite tame and used to the presence of humans. After a quick snack, we continued.

After Pacat, things got interesting. It gradually got steeper and steeper and I found myself having to use my hands to climb up the rocks. It takes a lot of sheer concentration, because in some places if you lose your balance, it is a sharp drop down the side of the mountain. There are guide ropes along some of the more tricky parts of the trail, so you don't slip. It took sheer concentration not to slip on the rocks. There seemed to be no end to the mental torture. Just when you reach a flat landing and you think it's over, another steep and slippery rock face emerges, or a fallen tree trunk. It was also starting to get cloudy and looked like it would rain. I was out of breath, not having climbed anything for ten years.

We reached Pengasih and decided to take a break to have a snack. It's a short distance to the peak, but it felt like much further. The terrain changed from small hills to flat land and then back again. We reached the false peak before making our way to the peak. This was all crawling up rocks and about  200 meters from the peak there is a narrow ledge with a very scary drop just to the left. 

We reached the peak about 5 hours after we set off from Lolo. The sun was beginning to set, and at times a thick fog would engulf us. The view was mesmerising. We spent about an hour there, and I took the time to reflect on the fact that I had made it this far in one piece. Not bad.

It began to drizzle when we started our descent. Bear in mind, the temprature at the peak is a sudden drop of maybe 10 degrees from the nearest checkpoint, so I was cold and wet. The wind was starting to blow harder, and then I heard thunder. The clouds opened up and rain poured down. 

I slid my way down wherever I could because the mud was so thick and slimy there really didn't seem to be a point in trying to stand. The water made the mud look like milky tehtarik. Further down the descent I felt my knees start to wobble. The heavy rain, plus low visibilty at night made it impossible to enjoy the wonders of nature, because all I wanted to do was reach camp and not slip and injure myself.

We reached camp by nightfall, greeted by a very worried friend and hot food. There is little to no phone reception so you can only dream of texting your friends while making the climb. The climb to the peak and back down again took me about 9 hours, with very few breaks .

While I was celebrating with a nice hot mug of coffee and a well-deserved heavy meal, I was already planning the next climb.

Tips:

       For casual hikers, it is best to split the climb in two and spend the night at Lolo.

  Bring a windbreaker and poncho

   Bring light but filling food in your pack, such as peanut butter sandwiches, energy bars, and bananas. You will need the calories.

  Stay hydrated

  Wear long pants tucked into your socks (very chic) to reduce the risk of leeches climbing up your pants to your special parts

Wear waterproof shoes with good grip

 A hiking pole will help on the descent so you don't put too much pressure on your knees

 Carry a basic first-aid kit

   bring an extra t shirt to change into at the peak so you don't freeze in wet clothes