R U N N I N G: 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