CUS-Sept 7-12

Trans Mount Chamah 7,123ft /2,171m & 
Mount Ulu Sepat 7,090ft/2161m

Sept 7-12 (5d 4n + 1d extension)

Group picture atop Mount Chamah

Itinerary:

6/9/18-KL-GUA MUSANG

Day 1- Pos Simpor -Pos Rekom

Day 2- Camp Pakma-Camp Tengah-Camp Tongkat Ali (last waterpoint) -Camp Cinderella- Anak Chamah- Chamah Peak

(Back to Camp site Pos Rekom)

Day 3- Pos Rekom-Camp Sg Peres-Camp Pintu Gerbang-Camp Meggi (camping)

Day 4- camp Meggi/ camp sungai retak- Camp Sempadan- Camp Sg Leper-Simpang Y (Puncak Junction)- Puncak Ulu Sepat- Camp Sg Leweng (camping)

Day 5- EXTENDED with rescue team

Day 6-Camp Sg Leweng-Camp Sg Besar—Camp Lerlar-Pos Kemar

12/9/18-END-BACK TO KL

Gunung Chamah is in the north-western corner of Kelantan, and it’s the fifth highest mountain in Peninsular Malaysia. It’s known as one of the G7s 

(above 7,000 ft, or 2,134m)

It’s known as one of the toughest climbs, but its relative inaccessibility is what has left it mainly untouched and very beautiful. Tigers have been spotted in the area in the past, but since there are only about 250-340 Malayan tigers left it is a critically endangered species and the odds of us bumping into one are very slim. Malaysia was estimated to have 3,000 tigers back in the 1950’s. They have been killed in human conflict and through poaching for their body parts.

I took time off work to allow me to climb four G7s and give myself a convocation. Yes, it’s crazy, and yes, I am crazy. I really needed the soul healing, and I needed to prove to myself that I could finish something I started. I had an inkling it would be tough, but I had no idea it would be this tough.

Along Onajee from Nuang Bodyguard came along for the trip. We’ve been friends for more than eight years, and he was my guide on my first ever Nuang trip waaaaay back then.

This trip was organised by Konspirasi Pendaki Gila (KPG) led by Dewi Nordin, with the TEnang Trekkers lead by Zamri.

I met the others, Intan, Syera, Cipott, Iz Hunny, Sabri, Zack Lee, Shah, Aida, Angus and son Amirul, and Dewi on the 4WD ride to the start of the trek. The bumpy ride was four hours of mud and bamboo all the way up to Pos Simpor. I think my bones melted and my butt disappeared.

This is when my butt disappeared

We don't have any bones but that's okay

After the briefing and a short ice-breaking session with the other 49 hikers 
(including guides Shah and Botak, crew members Eric, Popoi, Apak and sweeper Farid) we started the hike, passing through a burnt out section. Not sure if it was manmade, but illegal timber logging is a major issue in this state. 

Wan Kamarul left and sweeper Farid 

Along of Bodyguard Nuang

Setting up camp at Pos Rekom

Zack Lee and I were among the first to arrive, and while waiting for the others, I asked the villagers if we could rent a chalet, since there were no large trees for us to hang our hammocks. I got a chalet at RM70 for two days, and asked the other hikers to join. 

The little kids

Little kids line up for candy

Desyam posing at the chalet

After an early dinner, we went to bed.

Day 2-The next day we would have to go through Camp Pakma- Camp Tengah- Tongkat Ali (last waterpoint)- Camp Cinderella- Anak Chamah- Chamah peak.

Camp Tongkat Ali

Me, Zack Lee, Eric, Cipott, Apak and Bo at Camp Tongkat Ali (last water point)

Anak Chamah

Going up towards the peak, I experienced some weird shit. At some point, I suddenly found myself alone. My legs felt really heavy and I couldn’t keep my eyes open, I was so sleepy. It was like I wasn’t in control of my own body. I thought it was related to the altitude, but I’d climbed higher peaks before and never felt this. I was surrounded by the moss and trees, straight out of Pan’s Labyrinth. I just dropped and took a nap, right on the trail. I later found out I wasn’t the only hiker who experienced this. This was on the anak chamah trail. I don’t know how long I was out, but when I woke up I was relieved to see the others not too far away below. I hurried to meet them, but right as I was about to reach the spot where I thought they were, another hiker spotted me and asked where I was going. I said I wanted to go to the peak, and he said I was going in the wrong direction! I had hallucinated seeing my friends, and almost got lost as a result. I could have sworn I saw and heard them. Creepy! That’s some Ju-on shit right there.

I stuck with the other hiker, and we made our way up to the peak. Never hike alone, guys. We reached the peak. Sabri had brought his pet mangrove snake Laura along, and we became friends.

I joined the last hikers to leave the peak, as I needed the rest. We took off at about 5pm, making our way down to Pos Rekom. On the way down, a fellow hiker fell ill with mild hypothermia, she could hardly walk or move. I helped her, keeping her warm, talking to her, and giving her small snacks. It’s advisable to change out of wet clothes as soon as you can, because sweat + cold for extended periods of time is not a good idea.

We reached the camp site at 10pm and had dinner with Team Tenang before calling it a night.

Day 3- From Camp Pos Rekom to Camp Maggie (en route to Mount Ulu Sepat)

Day-3 Feeling fresh at Camp Maggie before start hike to Mount Ulu Sepat

Camp Maggie

Day 4-Gunung Ulu Sepat is the 7^th highest peak in Peninsular Malaysia, and definitely not for the faint hearted. Thick vegetation, river crossings on logs, and the cold temperature makes it a challenge for anyone. You need to get along with your team, as well as the villagers they meet along the way.

Syera (left) and i hiked side by side all the way up to Mount Ulu Sepat. We took less than 5min break and continued walking just because we couldn't stand the freezing cold 

This tree looks like an elephant

Somewhere along the trail I lost my phone. I was hopping from tree to tree, avoiding the thick mud, and it must have dropped out of my pocket, which I could have forgotten to zip. RIP Iphone 6s, you were loved.

Group picture atop Mount Ulu Sepat

When we reached the peak, I actually went back about four times to look for my phone, along with a few other hikers who were super helpful. No luck. I guess it belongs to nature now, and maybe the orang bunian can take hi-res photos. Thank you so much to those who helped and those who took pictures of me at the Gunung Ulu Sepat Peak.

The untouched and raw mossy forest at Mount Ulu Sepat

We went down from the peak to camp at Camp Sg Leweng to spend our last night there. After reaching at 10.30pm, I jumped straight into the river to clean the mud off my clothes. We looked like chocolate-coated hikers.

Camp Sg Leweng

We started to worry when it was getting late and some of the hikers hadn’t reached camp yet. We waited until the next morning but they were still a no-show. Six of us stayed back to wait for them, with Saiful Poi and Eric, who were the fastest. They went to look for the missing hikers. 

Walkie-talkies were the only form of communication, and we’d run out of batteries a long time ago.

At about 5pm they showed up, fatigued, cold. Some were injured, which had delayed the others from coming down. At least they were safe!

Found this beautiful and friendly rare one of a kind escargot 

Glad to meet The very old Tok Batin on our way out

The last 13 hikers standing

It took me some time to write all this because I still can’t believe I made it through intact                 
(lost a toenail)

Special thanks again to organisers, guides, and participants for making it through the rain despite all the difficulties. It was challenging but we stuck together till the end.
Looking forward to hike with you all again in the future, definitely!


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