Bukit Repin and Gunung Lentang Legong – A Torture To Remember

the scratches mark at my arm (degil

taknak pakai long sleeve)

Bukit Repin located at Janda Baik Pahang standing 1341 meters and Gunung Lentang Legong also in Janda Baik standing at 1360 meters. My previous Bukit Repin journey is here.

The GPX file is here : gpx file (taken from wikiloc)

Our mission this time around to conquer 3 mountains at one go. Mission number one, climbing Bukit Repin then proceed to Bukit Lentang Legong (mission two) subsequently to Gunung Nuang (mission three). Total journey estimated 20km within 20 hours.

Photo credit : Dendang

Meanwhile, I have my own mission whereby hiking Bukit Repin and Lentang Legong only.

Initially we have 5 or 6 of crazy hikers, then added up to a total 11 hikers with a mixture of conventional runners, ultra runners and podium winners. The team lead by team leader En Khalil whom I had hiked before climbing mount Tahan daypack years back.

Tagging along are Zulfazli (ijoi), Asyraf Ghazali (Acap) and Saifuddin Ramli (Dendang) which were among known podium runners/hikers.

The rest of the team are En Nosly (Wak), Elle Nash, Khairul ezwan, Muhd Ezwan and Norsharina who had the courage to follow (or being forced to follow !)

Wak and Elle admiring the beauty of forest flower power

photo credit : dendang

Caution!

The Lentang Legong route are treacherous and haven’t being used for a long time. We will un-chartered this trail route and equip it with proper trail mark – lead by our trail marker master – En ijoi.

Few machete or ‘Parang’ needed to re-open the trail thus a good and strong pair of hand with inter-exchangeable ‘swinging’ duty among team members are an added advantage.

Need to be physically fit like crazy, able to carry medium weight with food and drinks ration among others basic survival and basic first aid kit. Few of us also brought cooking stove, ground and fly sheet just in case things don’t go in our way for some reason.

leeches hunter at Repin's Peak

The most important thing in this journey is the Navigation. Most of us have navigator wrist watches but only some of us knew how to properly translate it to a useful detail. This job is being handled by our team leader, En Khalil with the assistance of Acap, dendang and wan. They will be mostly in front of us.

Strategy

Logistics

In view that we will be starting at Bukit Repin trailhead and end up at Nuang via janda Baik trailhead, we parked 2 cars at one point and the rest, at the other point - to take care of the logistics arrangement.

Navigation

As I mentioned earlier, the Navigation is the most crucial aspect in the whole journey, thus, it will be based on suunto movescount route pre-installed in suunto device with added navigation by handheld device of En Khalil’s (‘view ranger’ – a Gps device apps installed in handphone).

Analysis had been done prior, for proper trail route, topo map, weather condition, what to expect and how to manage every condition in case of emergency.

the parang in action

Photo credit : dendang

Cut-off time

Time Management is also plays important role whereby each point of destination need to be measured – how long it takes to reach, how long we supposed to rest and cut-off time to turn back at some point.

Head lights

One of the important device as we will be walking in wee hours in the morning and estimated completion around 1.00am. A good head lights are important – Petzl nao (high end) or Fenix (medium end) may assist you in the darkness. Please do be mindful of your battery life as most conventional battery will only last around 4-5 hours burning time. Getting your battery where the slot that you can easily reach is the best strategy to change your battery in a nick of time.

Fire-cracker

This is important as to shock audio level with excessive explosion sound – it will scare away our number one enemy – WILD BEAST.

The Journey

We started at 6.00am from Bukit Repin trail head heading towards Bukit Repin peak – 5.76km. We reached there within 3 hours. A slow ascending route at the beginning to a hardcore straight up nearly to the end. The leeches are everywhere! Equipped yourselves with leech socks and insect repellent.

We rested around 30 minutes here and proceeded to Gunung Lentang Legong – around 3km away. This was where it became tougher. The route had been covered by re-grown bushes and trees with unclear trail and trail marker.

Duration, distance and time of the day

Kindly take note that from Puncak Bukit Repin there are 2 exits – the one we came from and another to Lentang Legong. Another trail route to Kemensah (pondok repin) is at one of the junction not much further down where we came from Repin Janda Baik.

Yes, finally at Lentang Legong 

total journey so far : 8.09km

Our move became very slow here as few of our team member cutting tree branches in front while navigating to the correct path. We reached Lentang Legong around 4 hours, the time was 2.10pm. Not much time wasted here. We proceeded to Simpang Nuang – Repin – expected few kilometres away.

The “parang’ action continues until dark. At one point we seems lost, this was the part where En Khalil and the team gear up figuring out how to get back to the trail path and we succeeded! The night walk continues like forever. Looking at my watch, its 8.00pm, then 11pm, then 12am…..we are still in the wild jungle!

At 12.00am, we reached the Nuang – Repin junction. Finally! En Khalil and few others decided to proceed to Nuang Peak another 0.92km or so while others decided to go back to Janda Baik. En Khalil’s team will catch up with us later on the way back.

Them in Nuang Peak with ijoi falling asleep

Photo Credit : Acap

We have another 6km to reach Janda Baik (Nuang) trailhead. It was the longest night ever! We reached Chemperoh Waterfall few hours later and suddenly En Khalil’s team emerged from the darkness! They only took 20 – 30 minutes from Simpang Nuang – Repin to Nuang Peak. Then, fast walk – run to us with a staggering amount of speed. Yes, this wasn’t my game lah.

photo credit : either dendang or khalil

We continued to Nuang Janda Baik trailhead few hours later and finished around 3.00am. We ended the journey with tears and smile in our face…haha. The total journey is 25.5km within 21 hours (Parking Janda Baik to Bukit Repin – Gunung Lentang Legong – Parking Nuang Janda Baik). En Khalil’s route may have extra 2km plus for his crazy effort to Nuang Peak.

Special shout out to En Khalil for being a tremendous leader and the rest of the team who had assisted him in achieving the same goal and to those who braved enough to take the challenge.

completed in 21 hours, 18km
(It's actually 25.5km according to most navigation devices within team members, maybe mine need to calibrate)

Complete log based on En Khalil's data :

Parking Bukit Repin to Bukit Repin Peak
Time start : 6.00am
Distance : 5.6km
Time Taken : 3 hours

Bukit Repin Peak to Lentang Legong Peak
Distance from Bukit Repin peak to Lentang Legong Peak : 4.1km
Time Taken : 5 hours
Time of the day : 2.00pm

Lentang Legong Peak to Simpang Nuang-Repin - 10km
Time Taken : 10 hours
Time of the day : 12.00am

Simpang Nuang - Repin to Nuang Janda Baik Trailhead - 6km
Time Taken : 3 hours
Time of the day : 3.00am

* Nuang - Repin Junction to Nuang Peak - 920 meters
   Time taken : 36 minutes

Gunung Lentang Legong is NOT for the faint hearted hikers as the route is confusing and risk of being lost is extremely high without proper guide and navigation device (to my opinion).

Nevertheless, it was a great hike, great company and great experience.

Stay tune for route GPX file

GUNUNG NUANG - LET'S TEAR OUR LIGAMENTS

Gunung Nuang is located Hulu Langat, Selangor. The height of this mountain is 1,493 metres (4,898 ft).
The mountain's peak borders Pahang, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor.

There are 3 hiking routes to the peak - Kuala Pangson in Hulu Langat, Kampung Kemensah in Gombak and Bukit Tinggi in Bentong, Pahang.


As normal hikers can be, our journey will start from Pangsoon, Hulu Langat.

First thing first, pack light, start early, bring your food and prepare to torture yourself.

 

The travelling from highway exit to here is about 30 to 40 minutes or so. Once you reach this signboard, its another less than 2 km. Just go straight till the end.

 

Zaki and Deo is having a light moment before the adventure

 

The Registration Section

You need to register your name, Date in, Date out, contact number, IC number, Home address and your signature onto this log book. Its a procedure we have to follow

 

Zaki is lefthanded

 

It's just RM1-00 per entry

 

"Well, you know me, I love adventure"

 

At the entrance's gate

 

We gonna rock Nuang!

 

Whatever...

Few things need to be remembered :

Your hydration - at least 2 litres

Your food - Rice, bread, chocolate, energy bar

Your Gear : backpack, hiking shoes, drifit attire, glove, hiking stick

Your first aid kit - band aid is sufficient

The caution : 

Believe me you will fall, at least twice - so be extra careful, the terrain is slippery, with tree roots and full of holes. Especially when you're tired, you may susceptible to lose balance.

It's gonna be a very long hike, walk, climb - you need plenty of rest, make a lot of pit stops.

The stretch to the summit is appx 10km - 3.5 to 4.5 hours. And descending will tak appx 3 to 3.5 hours

 

stern warning sign 

We're in!

 

The map

You may bump to this map, look easy.

First Stage : long up and down hilly terrain - peace of cake. 1 to 2 hours. Save your energy here.

 

Let's begin..!

 

It's getting tougher ..but manageable...

Both of Deo and Zaki is preparing for 'The Most Beautiful Thing' in Sabah, a 100km trail run (like we're doing right now) with a cut-off time of 30 hours schedule in 16th September 2012.

 

 This is our attire...well zaki's is like hiking everest...

 Hey..it's me...oblivious of what will come next

 

Zaki is suffering from high altitude sickness - his emitting gas!

  

At one of the rest area : from start point 4.1km to Lolo Camp 1.7km to go.

 

It's getting nearer

 

long way ahead

 short breather - drink a lot of water ya..

Rest is over. Move on..

 

We have reached the end of easy part - end of stage 1.

This is the end of leisure hikers. You can enjoy the cool stream below. And turn back to the starting point.

 

This is the stream. Nice and cold. Tempting, but no...

 Another breather for photoshoot session, we dont know when will be coming here again, maybe next year or so.

 Deo is having a light moment

The second Stage - All the way up to Camp Lolo.

Estimated time of Arrival - 1 - 2 hours

 

We moved on. Please be aware of this directional sign because here, it has multiple trail that will lead you elsewhere. Just becareful.

 

The arrow sign located here, near the pipeline and so as other confusing trail.

 

More photos of this confusing section...just watchout here.

 

Yeah..i'm not going to get lost...wohoo!

 

Walking few hundred metres, we will reach here...pipeline all the way up

 

On your right : The waterfall of death...this is the bottom

 

Another photo of the waterfall

 

"Whatcha doing up there/" - view from the top of the stairs

 

The stairs lead us to here. The dam. 

 

The surrounding area at the small dam. A shallow stream 

 

Some sort of water reservoir. 

 

All the way down. The waterfall that I mentioned earlier

 

River crossing by Zack - this is how you do it without getting your shoes wet...yeah right

 

There are 2 (or 3) arrow directional signboards on the way up. They put it prominently to avoid confusion among the hikers. Maybe because there were people get lost before.

 

Other hikers on the prawl...dont worry of being left alone, there will always other hikers around

 

I think it's camp lolo. This is the camping site

 

More photo of the surrounding here

 

We got campers here

 

The small water fall - this is the spot we will enjoy our nice naked bath on the way back

 

I think this is camp lolo too...few hundred metres, we will reach here. It has quite a big shack for function or something.

 

This is the way up, the amoi behind Mr Deo is walking towards the correct path. Dont have arrow sign here, so, you might take note of this one.

 

Still at camp lolo...having a short breather, relax, rejuvenate, refill

 

 Starting to feel unconfortable

End of Stage 2...

Stage 3 - to Camp Pacat

Estimated time of Arrival : 2 hours

 The terrain - huff and puff!

 This is green

 

Mushroom for soup

 

A breather again...

 We're here...this signboard signifies our achievement. Let's 'Gangnam style'!

The open area at Kem Pacat

 

Proof that i've been here - En Zack

 

More photo of surrounding

 

The camping site at Kem Pacat 

Stage 4 : All the way up to summit

Estimated time of arrival : 2 hours

 

At one of the section - soil erosion 

"hey, I found a betel leaf"

 

"no, it's not"

 

"I've managed to take down this tree with my bare hand"

 

Your short break is essential for a recovery

 

The mist is coming. The wild banana tree is in the background

 

Zaki : "I can hardly move on with this tree in front of us"

Me : "maybe if the tree wasnt here, we can move easier and It will help other climbers too"

 Zaki : "let us try to push this tree a little bit..hhhrrggh"

Me : "I'm too tired, I just use one arm to push"..mmmmphh!"

 Zaki : "this is waste of time, we can't move this log, I told u to use both of your arm"

Me : "jangan merajuk zack, next time we will push another"

 

Zack : "try to bring this tree down ijam"

The mist is getting thicker by the minute

 

Sitting on the job training

My attire blends with the surrounding

 

This fallen tree had blocked the path. The new path was slippery like hell

 

Photo shoot is a diversion from the fatigue

 

The blurry image from top

 

Narrow path leading up

This old laminated sign of nuang summit is a god send.

Deo : "is my chin looks ok?" 

This directional sign need to be adhered to because of the confusing trail. from this point to Nuang Summit, need another less than 1 hour.

Stage 5 : To the summit we go! The terrain upon us was no mercy. There will be up and down hill on the way up. We have to use our four core muscle to pull ourselves.

 

The steep section

 Have a break

 When I said 4 core muscle, I mean it! - Zack in action

 

After the Nuang Summit's signboard, we come to this puncak pengasih sign. Whatever that mean, we need to take photo.

 Finally, we're here!!

In 4 hours 30 minutes ! After tortures hike, multiple fall and countless cursing (zack) and 2 failed attempt to return back, we made it!!

 

The climax is here - Sign of relief and satisfaction

 

Honey...I'm here, honest!

 

Proud and loving it! 

where is that creature..?

 

oh..there you are...I'm frustrated for not allowed to feed the monkey in the zoo, so here I am, feeding the squirrel.  Take that !

 Crazy due to high altitude syndrome

Honey, I'm feeding this animal at nuang, not in the zoo, honest!!

Being lonely at the top

 Looking thru the viewfinder - capturing the majestic scenery (which has been covered with thick mist)

The mountain

 more mountain

 

We rested about 50 minutes, and at 1.00 pm, we headed down..

This unique tree is at camp pacat. We kind of miss it initially.

 Nice post by Mr Zack...a cool dip should do the trick

Satisfaction guaranteed - thumbs up for Gunung Nuang

Embassador for Salomon's sport apparel from top to toe

I need to rush back home, leaving the 2 guys on their own. My 'fast pace' descending from Nuang summit was the most gruesome and quite extreme. Managed to clock 2 hours 17 minutes. Wohoo!!