Gunung Angsi, Negeri Sembilan - The Crowded Peak

Summary of hike
Total distance - 8.3km
Ascending - 4.05km
Return - 4.2km

Total Time taken - 2 hours 30 minutes
Time taken from start to peak - 1 hour 17 minutes
Time taken from peak to start - 50 minutes or so...by running..hehe

I've been here dozen of times but never had a chance to blog about it.

Gunung Angsi located at Ulu Bendul Negeri sembilan and have 2 entrances - Bukit Putus and Ulu Bendul. Both entrances are few kilometres apart.

Bukit Putus entrance Gps location

Ulu Bendul

You need to walk further few hundred meters to the trail head.

For expert or hardcore hikers will hike Angsi from one entrance and exit to another normally via Bukit Putus then exit at Ulu Bendul.
Now, entrance via Ulu Bendul is temporarily closed due to movement control order, all hikers are directed to Bukit Putus.

Ulu Bendul is a recreational spot with all necessary amenities - washroom, food and souvenirs.

With my boring face expression at the peak

At the top of Angsi in 1 hour 16 minutes, 4.05km

I burst my lungs to get here

Completed hike in 2 hours 27 minutes, 8.3km

We didn't rest long at the peak - few camera shots and that's it.

Muddy section

The Lost Trail of Benum - Surrendered to Wrath of Nature

Multiple Landslides and fallen trees at early part of 4x4 track made us walked 6.6km to Lata Berembun.

Even worst, the 2 bridges crossing 2 rivers were completely gone probably due to massive surge of water during flood.

Searching for continuation of trail to Kem Rilek was a daunting task and time consuming as part of it was destroyed.

We decided to abandon the mission conquering mount benum this time as the possibility to hike in the rain, overnight in extreme cold and unable to cross the river on the way back, were too risky.

From Lata Berembun to summit is another 12km or so, imagine the colossal task we have to risk.

We didn't expect the 4x4 track is impassable.

We're sorry Benum, maybe next time.

 

Gathering to start line at Surau Kampung Sungai Chalit

From the Surau, the bumpy ride ended at 4.2km

From starting point to 4x4 drop-off, 4.2km

The series of landslides and fallen trees

Used to be a bridge here...1st river crossing

What it looks like before

Strong and sturdy bridge before

It took us 6.6km from 4x4 drop-off to Lata Berembun.

Total from the Surau is 10.8km to Lata Berembun.

The flood devastation

The sheer power of water - look at the tree barks that were pinned together.

At the upper part of waterfall, imagine the strength of the current and how deep was the water.

This was where we decided to turn back.

Low hanging fruit

Another experience gained with thousands memories.

HIKER'S DILEMMA

View from Ketumbar hill Overlooking a mega 'suke' highway construction crossing what once was a lush greens where Monkeys having their karaoke session high above the trees.

A brief 2.5km hike at ketumbar hill as bukit apek and bukit saga were closed due to malaria outbreak.

Once this path can lead our way to bukit saga (via taman saga) and bukit apek (via bukit hatamas) but now the trail has ended and forcely replaced by road under construction.

In a few years this highway will complete and will benefit thousands of commuters as an alternative route to avoid traffic congestion and saving valuable time to get to their destination thus reduce fuel consumption.

We, in hiker's small community just want what once to be our playground.