Gunung GAP & Ulu Semangkok
A new expedition for mountain hiking came with a misty, windy and coolie at Gunung GAP & Ulu Semangkok at start of the year 2011. Two mountains conquered in one trail made my checklist go faster.
8 Jan 2011 | Gunung GAP & Ulu Semangkok
These mountains are located at Fraser Hill and required no longer than a day to complete it. This trip was organized by the famous hiker cum recce master for us to have chance to explore the serenity of the mountains at the same time testing our passion for hiking.
As a dedicated hiker of myself this year, I put a line of mountains list to be completed by year 2011. And gratefully, it was started with awesome highlands weather. Never in my hiking life, was the weather so cooling, misty and windy. Tiredness or exhausting was out of my sight for 6 hours hiking in total.
The day was started with usual meet up at Bangsar McD and drive along the way from KL to Kuala Kubu Bahru. The road leading from KKB will almost end at Fraser Hill. There was our starting point.
Greeted with Welcome sign … main entrance
Car park was available along the road side, just nearby the entrance of the trail. It’s not easy to located the trail if you’re not equipped enough with information. Some more, lack of luck on getting a good signboard to show you where you can hike.
Walk towards the starting point … before the white house
Entrance looks unconvincing for first timer … dark entry to the trail
That morning, it was a heavy rain for about 10 minutes and the weather keep its low temperature for almost our entire trip. The sensation of cooling made the journey less sweat and keeps going for warmer body.
Breezy and wet weather … what a wonderful experience
Reaching GAP’s peak … beirut not in sight after get stolen
Frankly say, the time taken to reach GAP was quite reasonable, merely an hour. If we decided to call it a day, it would be a big waste. That’s why we continued to Ulu Semangkok’s peak.
Rest area … got few flat grounds
Mark the borderline … along the trekking trail
Upon last few stream … downward hike on fallen tree
Slippery was among the challenge faced by most of us. We used a lot of hand exercise holding the trunk, branch and even the root on the trail.
Steep hike … a norm for mountain hiking
Misty nature heavenly made … what the nature can be better offer?
A beirut marked the peak was seen … finally the most awaiting completion
We spent some time in this peak for light chat and lunch. The organizer was prepared those cooking utensil for us, let us bring only food and drinks.
Weather continues to show its wilderness and not long time later, we all felt cold. It was sipped into our nerves system and we all need warm things to hold on. A hot water bottle can be taken as temporary. What a desperado here … LOL.
Raindrop continues to drop … our tolerance to low degrees no longer withstand
A quick descending … made into our way in split of second
An eye opener … a big red color millipede
Surprise looks out … monitor lizard
The hike ended at same place where we started. Getting ourselves wash & clean immediately at public washroom at cost of 30 cents nearby there. The dirt sticks to my clothes were unbearable, thanks to the wet weather.
Soon after cleaned up, I walked along the surrounding while waiting others to get wash.
The down the memory bridge … I guess quite well maintained
A sight to this abandoned resort … looks spooky
Nice view of the bridge … pro shot can be done here
Road leading to Fraser Hill resort … start from left road
Road leading to Resort … control by time schedule
Information board by Tourism Malaysia … worth to read for summary
One thing for sure, there is a hiking trail called Pine Trail which I’m planning to go for it. When the opportunity is there, definitely I would take it. Even though it’s a well-directive trail, nothing can beat the hiking experience in a cold, misty and windy weather.
I’ll be back to Fraser Hill, somewhere this year for event gathering cum hiking. Let’s see how it goes.