Yong Yap, Bubu & Tok Nenek (YYBTN)

Mount Yong Yap, Bubu and Tok Nenek popular known as YYBTN will be our target since the completion of our V1 in 2016 (V1 – Mount Korga, Junction and Yong Belar).

Yong Yap : 2167 meter (G7)
Bubu : 1974 meter
Tok Nenek : 1916 meter

Our mission initially was to conquer V2 (Yong Belar, Junction, Korga and YYBTN) but later reduced to V1.5 after climbing one third of the journey and being reduced to just YYBTN soon after.

Though our suffering being reduced to ease the pain which was later being blessed by making the right decision not to proceed with neither V2 nor V1.5.

Our teams were divided by 2 teams with 6 climbers in each group including with one guide. Group one consist of 6 young lightning fast pace and the 2^nd, consist of the veterans – myself, wak Jawa, bro Ghazz, bro Rino Irwan and our guide, Am. Arman Arshad was supposed to join us on this trip, however, he bailed out due to work commitment.

Group one

Group 2

It had been raining days before the hike in Cameron Highland and we were preparing for that. Our journey was supposed to start from Yong Belar, however, changed to Yong Yap as we calculated the risk that Yong Yap route will require a lot of river crossings and we will face these challenged at earlier stage as the rain which normally occurs in the evening and all the troubles such as stranded due to water rises or endangering ourselves while crossing the river can be avoided.

Mount Yong Yap will start at Sungai Rengil which would require a 4 wheel drive. 20 minutes journey from Kampung Raja. 
The road leading to orang asli settlement in Sg Rengil is properly resurfaced with tarmac road and hikers may park their car at the entrance before the bridge (i think need to pay minimal parking fee).

Day Before Hike

Fetched bro Ghaz and headed to Cameron Highland – Kampung Raja on Friday late evening to prevent a massive crawl due to Chinese new year the next day.

Met with our Guide, Mr Am at masjid Kg Raja during our Maghrib prayer and later having our dinner at nearby restaurant.

Hike Day

Parked our car at Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Raja (RM10 parking fee) and hop on the 4 wheel drive to sungai Rengil. We started around 6.30am in a cold, misty Saturday morning. The faster group had made their moved instantly while our team continued with a slow pace.

1^st check Point – Kem Simpang Y

We reached Kem Simpang Y around 8:58am in 1 hour 56 minutes at 5.78km from the start.

Kem Simpang Y is some sort of a junction where there were divided by 2 trails. On the left is a trail to Mount Tok Nenek and the other trail is to Yong Yap. Both trail will lead you to Mount Bubu and it is like a ‘U’ shape as hikers may decided on where to start and the intended destination according to preference.

Thigh deep river crossing

Our Guide En Am is an excellent team leader!

Also, both routes may have their own challenges and level of difficulties. For Tok Nenek trail be prepare to duck and squat – the falling bamboos will make it harder to pass through.

For Yong Yap trail – prepare for countless river crossings.

2^nd Check Point – Kem Agas

We reached here around 11.18am in 4 hours 17 minutes, 11.9km from the starting point.

Do not face any  issue here. Though little bit of leg sore but manageable.

Distance from Kem Simpang Y – 6km. Time taken : 2 hours

3^rd Check point – Kem Sungai Jerok

We reached here at 12.56pm in 5 hours 54 minutes from the start, 14.97km.

We just can’t believe that we have walked for 15km and yet there is no sign of hard climb.

Distance from Kem Agas to Kem Sungai Jerok : 5km, Time taken : approximately 2 hours

4^th Check point – Kem Balak Pecah

We reached here at 2.33pm in 7 hours 31 minutes, 17.37 km from the start. The trail from here will be difficult. We met Ariff here, it seems that he was unable to follow the fast pace group and decided to stick with us.

Distance from Kem Sungai Jerok to Kem Balak Pecah : 2.3km, time taken : approximately 1 hr 30 minutes

5^th Check point – Last Water Point

We reached here around 3.13pm, in 8 hours 12 minutes, 18.2km from the start.

There are one more water point few meters before we reached here. Both water point will need 15 to 20 minutes (one way) descending for water supply.

Distance from Kem Balak Pecah to Last Water Point  : 1.2 km, time taken : appx 1 hour 13 minutes

6^th Check Point – Bubu and Yong Yap Junction

We reached here  at 3.41pm, in 8 hours 40 minutes, 18.54km from the start.

Distance from Last Water point to Bubu and Yong Yap Junction : 300 meter, Time taken : appx 30 minutes

On the left is to Bubu and Tok Nenek and on the right turn is going straight to Yong Yap. We put our bags for temporary here as we intend to hike Yong Yap with less weight. Me, Wak and Ariff were making our way to Yong Yap peak with only a litre (or less) water as the journey to the peak estimated around 45 minutes or so.

Mount Yong Yap Summit Conquered!

About 45 minutes (4.24pm), we reached the top of Mount Yong Yap! Wohoo!..Distance from start 19.25km, we have been climbing for a staggering 9 hours 23 minutes! Ghaz, Rino and Am followed suit soon after. After a quick photo session, we headed down back to our bags were. Rested, had our food (meggi noodles), put our head lights on and ready for our next challenge – Mount Bubu.

It’s getting dark by the minute in this thick jungle and Mount Bubu is a long way to go. Drizzling at certain part of the route but we were glad that there were no occurrence of heavy rain fall.

It was UP, UP and UP!

The ascending slippery and muddy route to Mount Bubu was a very challenging as we had to climb at night with poor visibility. We need to be careful of the ground below us as not to fall at any unexpected hole and sky above us as not to hit our head with tree branch – some will have sharp edges.

Mount Bubu Conquered!

After complaining of when we will get there for thousand times, we reached Bubu at 9.53pm, 22.80km from start in 14 hours 52 minutes of climbing. We decided to camp and spend our freezing night here based on our weak, desperately need to rest condition and somehow it is not safe to walk at night.

Distance from Yong Yap peak to Bubu : 2.4km. Time Taken  : I would say 4 hours (after deducting the rest time and waiting time)

Spending the Night/Managing the Cold Temperature

I had my 1^st layer of Tshirt, Down jacket and rain jacket – for upper body. For lower body – I only wore a hiking pant and a long thermal sock. Put my hoodie and my thermal glove on. Sleeping bag is a must (Karrimor RM90). The only thing that I glad to bring was my carry mate – some sort of insulation mat. It protected the cold from the ground to your body while sleeping. I felt comfortable sleeping with the current setting…but not for long. I woke up in the middle of the night due to extreme cold especially from my feet and leg. The cold somehow make it way through there. A twist and turn would not help either. Just bear with it.

The next morning I woke up a little bit early (6.00am) as I thought we need to start early. But…the rest of the team woke up at 8.00am! Damn!

On our Way to Mount Tok Nenek

We started our journey around 9.00am, after fooling around with Rino’s half naked body. It’s gonna be a long and tiring day for us as we need to be at the top of Tok Nenek and headed down before dark. Or else, we will spend one more night in the jungle.

The trail from Bubu to Tok Nenek was considered tough with muddy, slippery and need to use our core muscles to pull us up. It was a clear blue sky and no sign of rain which make our climb a little easier. I can’t even imagine if its rain and we have to brave thru those slippery trail.

Mount Tok Nenek Conquered!

On the top of Tok Nenek at 1.00pm (the watch indicated 1.13pm as I am too excited until I forgot to capture the time of arrival). It was 3.73km from Mount Bubu to Tok Nenek. Estimated of 3 hours and 40 minutes of climb. The sky was blue. We had 360 degree view of surrounding mountains and valleys! Wow!

Mount Tok Nenek is famous for its flat, rocky surface. A few popular photo spots at the edges of the rock. Be careful though as one slip, it will send you straight down to the endless bottom! Scary!.

Tok Nenek To Kem Belumut

Descending from Tok Nenek was quite challenging due to its steep and slippery rocky surface.

We reached Kem Belumut at 2.35pm, 5.19km from Bubu within 5 hours 17 minutes. Rested for 30 to 45 minutes here. Having Nasi himpit and Nut sauce to fulfil my hunger. The trail from Tok Nenek was easy, no more climbing. We able to speed walk.

Distance from Tok Nenek to Kem Belumut : 1.5km, time taken : appx 1 hour 20 minutes

Kem Belumut to Kem Hari

We reached here around 4.30pm, 7.89km from Bubu after 7 hours 12 minutes of descending.

Distance from Kem Belumut to Kem Hari ; 2.6km, time taken : appx 2 hours.

Kem Hari to Kem Lengkuas

One of the normal check point. Reached here around 5.48pm, 10km from Bubu. 8 hours something.

Fallen Bamboo episode starts here. Around 2 hours or so.

Distance from Kem Hari to Lengkuas : 2.2km , time taken : 1 hour 30 minutes

Kem Lengkuas to Kem Simpang Y (Tok Nenek)

Finally, we reached at the Kem Simpang Y where we came a day earlier – at 7.22pm, 13.3km from bubu in 10 hours.

Our remaining journey is around 6km more to trail head at Sg Rengil. Rested for 5 minutes here.

Distance from Kem Lengkuas to Simpang Y : 3.3km, time taken : appx 1 hour 30 minutes

Kem Simpang Y to Sg Rengil (Finished)

It was an endless walking for 2 hours 20 minutes. Crossing few rivers along the way. And we finally made it! Reached Sg Rengil at 9.36pm, 19.27km from Bubu in 12 hours 17 minutes.

Waited for our 4 wheel vehicle to fetch us and had our dinner at Kg Raja with Eel soup as one of the menu (it’s ghaz favourite)…eww

Total Journey

YYBTN – 42km

Sg Rengil to Bubu (yong Yap and bubu) – 22.80km, time taken : 14 hours 52 minutes

Bubu to Sg Rengil (Tok Nenek) – 19.27km, time taken : 12 hours 17 minutes

Mount Yong Belar

Gunung Yong Belar, standing 2181 meter located at blue valley, Cameron highland, Perak.

Currently, there are 2 routes used by hikers as a starting point - old route i.e from dam through series of steps, long pipeline walk and river crossing then to the vegetable farm (camp cabin). The journey from starting point to camp cabin estimated around 1 hour or more.

The new shorter route is from masjid Lojing (lojing mosque) thru private land then the farm (camp cabin) via 4WD vehicle (around 30 minutes or less).

I would recommend the shorter route as it will save time and energy – the real deal is at the starting point also known as ‘Pintu Rimba’ (forest gate) – almost 190 meter from camp cabin.

The entrance to mount Yong Belar will begin at Camp Cabin and Pintu Rimba (both around 190 meters apart). The 4WD vehicle will stop here. Then, a short walk through vegetables farm to Pintu Rimba. These area apparently are private owned and no unauthorized vehicle allowed in here. The owner acknowledged that all hikers will trespass his farm for years but only by walking.

The owner had put a little blue signage at the entrance to Pintu Rimba for his 4WD service. The rate is RM40 per person (minimum 10 person) and RM45 per person for less than 10 person for a return journey – 2km away to the main road.

Starting

Made arrangement with Mr Joe (son of the vegetable farm owner) to meet up at BH Petrol blue valley at 7.00am. We parked our car 50 meters from BH Petrol (left side), Mr Joe’s small hut at RM10-00 per car for parking. The 4WD experience will start here – to Lojing Mosque – through a series of muddy and bumpy ride to camp cabin.

 This is Mr Joe's hut and parking area

Our guide - Jebat 

Few reminders here that the ride was not smooth! So be prepared for butt smacking against the  steel floor, splashes of mud water on your clothes and the risk of falling off-road. Just hold on tight!

Camp Cabin

A journey of less than 30 minutes, we reached camp cabin in a cold and misty morning. Upon paying fee for the 4WD service, we set off to Pintu Rimba – around 10 to 15 minutes or so.

Pintu Rimba

Pintu Rimba – it is an open area before we headed deep into the jungle.

From here, vegetable farm can be seen at the valley below – such a wonderful sight.

This is Pintu Rimba

The Plan

From Pintu Rimba, set up camp at Camp Tudung Periuk, travel light to Kem Kasut then to the peak.

Heading down straight to Camp Tudung Periuk and spend the night there.

Taken at one of the opening 

Pintu Rimba to Camp Tudung Periuk

It was up and down endless trail. Less muddy here, manageable contour. 4 to 5 mini peak points with an outstanding view. Distance from Starting point – 2.33km. It took us 1 hour 47 minutes to reach here at 10.19am. Set up our ground and fly sheet. Started our journey back at 11.15am to Camp Kasut.

Safely arrived at Camp Tudung Periuk

At Camp Tudung Periuk

Camp Tudung Periuk to Camp Kasut

Muddy trail! Leg manoeuvre required extensively. Stretching your leg at an imaginable position is unavoidable. Put on water proof glove please.

The distance from start, time taken and time of the day

At Camp Kasut - it was raining

Distance from Starting point – 5.37km. Distance from Camp Tudung Periuk – 3km. Almost 3 hours journey from Camp Tudung Periuk and 5.5 hours from start. Time of the day was 1.59pm.

It was raining since camp tudung periuk. The surrounding area at camp kasut is muddy. It is not suitable for camping, yet there were campers here.

Camp Kasut to Yong Belar summit

Another 900 meters to go according to my Suunto Ambit 2. We continued braving the rain through heavily muddy trail. My shoes was unrecognizable. I’m using Adidas Hydroterra Shandal shoes – it is without fabric and able to disperse water efficiently.

Almost one hour to get here. It’s a little bit tough with all the climbing.

At the top - preparing for instant noodle and hot milo

Summit of Yong Belar

We spent around 30 to 40 minutes here – rest mode on. Its windy and cold. The mist was all around us blocking all the view which was a bit disappointment. Enjoying our Instant noodle and hot milo.

Descending to Camp Kasut and Camp Tudung Periuk

Descending was manageable as there were less energy used compared to ascending. The only thing bothers me was the muddy, slippery trail. Slipped and fall few times. At one point the gravity was pulling me, lost balance and fell. I lost my watch and only realized it after 10 minutes downhill. It took a gigantic effort to climb back again to retrace my step searching that watch. Yup, I found it hiding between the tree branches .

Back at Tudung Periuk

Reached here at 7.16pm, 3 hours from the summit. We wash up at the small river before climbing up to our camp. Its dark and cold. Spending the night here – resting. Brahim’s nut sauce and nasi himpit was our dinner.

Sleeping with Cold Temperature

It was freezing cold at 16 degree celcius. I set up the sleeping bag (bought from Lelong.com for RM65), the ground sheet is the 1^st layer, garbage plastic the 2^nd layer and fly sheet the 3^rd – then the sleeping bag. I wore tshirt, down jacket, glove and socks. But the temperature was just too cold, my body just can’t tolerate the cold and at some point I was shivering. But somehow survived through the night.

Tips :

1) glove in glove – wear glove as base layers

2) socks in socks – wear 2 pieces or more socks

3) beanie/hood

4) Fly sheet/ground sheet – this kind of setting will let the wind in. Either close all possible wind entry or change the setting to covered tent.

5) Based ground for sleeping – either carry mat/yoga mat (bulky) or you can carry simple silver plastic-paper type of material from Daiso or DIY shop at RM5 plus. It can be folded into a thin layer in your bag.

Water Source

There will be 2 points of water source i.e Camp Tudung Periuk and Camp Kasut. It is much more easier at Camp Tudung Periuk with a small river (2 minutes). But not easy at Camp Kasut – around 10 minutes one way to get the water (I heard).

Phone Connectivity

There are some part where you may have sufficient signal. I called Mr Joe from 5^th or 4^th false peak on our way down from Camp Tudung Periuk to Camp Cabin.

The Trail and Trail Marker

The trail is clear and well marked. As mount Yong Belar is also has connecting pathway to another mountain (V1, V2 – korga, Yong Yap, Tok Nenek, Chamah ulu sepat) there will be different trail upon reaching the summit and only those who experience enough will know about it.

Place to Wash up After the Hike

At Mr Joe’s vegetable farm, there will be toilet facility. You may wash here. But it’s cold water!

Alternatively, you can wash up at the parking lot where you park your car earlier (no toilet).

Place to Eat

Along the road of Masjid Lojing there are more than 3 restaurants serving breakfast and lunch. Not sure about dinner though. For those of you who are craving for tom yam, you may headed to Kedai Kak Yah just opposite Masjid Lojing.

Place to Stay

I would suggest Westwood hotel (please google) few km away from Blue Valley. But the hotel will always full house. Staying at Brinchang town is less recommended as the traffic jam is very bad and will spoil your journey.

Alternatively, you may stay around Ipoh town – 1 hour from Blue Valley/Kampung Raja.

My Sunnto Moves - Trail Route

I'm sharing my moves for convenience : 

click here : Yong Belar Route

The distance from Camp Tudung Periuk to Pintu Rimba - 2.12km, took 1.47 hours 

Another 197 meter to Camp Cabin..just below