7 days 6 nights Gunung Tahan
Challenge 2005
Using up all my strength to climb up and down
a mountain of 2187m with full camping gear was the highest point I had
ever been, this experience I will never forget. Gunung Tahan is located
within the Taman Negara national forest, in the state of Pahang, Malaysia.
I'm ready to go!
Trust me, we're tired!
The terrain were challenging, having to cross 5 river points and wending
our way through the thick muddy forest just to get to our first campsite
was a tiring 4hours not to mention there were lots of creepy crawler such
as leeches, geckos and many sweat bees flying around the campsite.
This is what we ate
Taking a break.
Nevertheless, we had an ice cold bath down the river just beside our campsites, the feeling of jumping into ice cold water was a torture but we had no choice but to do so because that was our only river point for us to bath. As we headed up to the summit for the next two days, upon reaching to the summit, there was adrenaline rush in me to get up fast to the summit.
Reaching destination soon...
Our guide, Apak!
The feeling of being up on the summit of Gunung Tahan was great!! Simply great and the view up there were just beautiful. In a moment of time up on the summit, there was a great sense of satisfaction that I had conquered Gunung Tahan. To conclude, I had learnt that the importance is determination and it is far greater that strength. I really enjoyed myself and I'll look forward for another higher mountain.
Debbie Denalice Low
SHS, Yr 2
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Recalling the moment when I reached Gunung Tahan, the highest peak in Peninsular Malaysia .We were among the clouds! The picturesque scenery! It was hard to believe that I conquered the peak, 2,187m above sea level.
This is 5am before the climb.
Check out the view!
For someone like me, that had only climbed Bukit Timah Hill, the success owned to team work and the power of determination. Regarded as the most challenging mountain to climb in Malaysia and a popular destination for many adventure-seekers determined to challenge their limits, it was not an easy trekking experience. My supportive group mates motivated me throughout the journey. No matter where we were, mountain ridge, river or steep slope, they would never forget to ask "ok?", "ni hao ma? ("How are you" in mandarin)" or say "slowly, take your time". The challenge of the whole expedition lied on how strong your determination was. We walked 10+km a day and 'learned' the art of slipping and falling. Our 'buddies' for this trip? Bee and leeches .Not forgetting to mention the 'gift' we gotten, bruises, muscle ache and blisters. However, proud to say, everyone reached the top.
Lee Jieying
SCL, Yr 2
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14th May marks our first day of our expedition trip to Gunung Tahan. A team of 30 will be setting off for this trip, which includes 2 SAOs. They were, our pretty and sweet, Ying Shya and not forgetting handsome and macho, 'Uncle Guru'. The 30 of us were divided equally into 3 groups of 10.
My expectations for this expedition is simple yet demand a lot from my mental and physical preparations. I just want to climb the trek up without asking much help from my teammates unless I'm left with no choice but to accept their helping hands. This is because; I felt that if I did not try to figure things out myself how to overcome the obstacles, the whole expedition would mean nothing to me because I'm just depending on people. This really tests my perseverance and my strong mentality. Like what Hairul mentioned, "Mind Over Body"
For the first few km of the trekking, it was rather an easy journey.
I thought it was going to be easy all the while, but I was proved wrong.
Soon we had to climb up and down several hills. Not only that, we had
to cross-rivers filled with leeches. All of us were trying very hard to
ENDURE!! Everyone was feeling the aching of our backs, but no matter what,
our mission to conquer the summit of Gunung Tahan made everyone strong
and energized. Since we had gone so far going through the long and winding
yet challenging trek, it will be a waste if we had to give up halfway.
Our campsite near the peak!
Crossing the river.
Due to lots of steep and slippery slopes, everyone seems to be giving each other encouragement words. That was definitely a good spirit shown by my group, ELITE! Not forgetting, the rest of the groups, Avalanche and ROC. After the entire 3 days of hard and 'torturous' climbs, all of us made it to the summit feeling a great sense of achievement, satisfaction and fulfillment. It felt so amazing being able to go through everything and get to taste the sweetness of victory. Everyone including our 2 sporting and fabulous SAOs, Ying Shya and 'Uncle' Guru, get to see the beautiful scenery of God's creation. It felt as though we are on the top of the world. What bliss!
But going down back to where we originally starts our journey was never
easy. We had to go through the 'torturous' journey once again. Despite
that, it definitely won't bring us down. Well that really proves all of
us had the team spirit instilled in us. Moving at a fast speed all the
time, we finally saw the bridge where we first entered the jungle. All
of us were shouting in joy. At last, we reached our destination. All the
pains and tiredness really paid off. We just congratulate and hug each
other in joy since we managed to conquer the summit and finally reached
the base of Gunung Tahan. I almost cried since this is my first time going
for this kind of expedition and I have done it successfully, meeting my
expectations I had for this trip.
Taking a much needed break!
At Belumut.
Reminiscing back all the memories I had in Gunung Tahan since the day we start trekking, I felt really proud of myself as to how I managed to conquer the summit despite all the tough trekking, difficulties and injury. Up till today, the memories are still very vivid in my mind. I guess I will not forget this expedition at all. It will be kept safely at the back of my mind.
It was indeed a very good experience for a first timer like me who has
never been gone for overseas expedition especially when it comes to a
place where I have no idea of its surroundings at all. Everything I went
through was a brand new learning experience for me. Getting to know new
and amazing people along the way was definitely the best thing that has
ever happened. Thanks to expedition like this, I'm able to find my strong
qualities that I have never realized and going beyond all the limitations
that I have never explored before. For sure, I MISS TAHAN SO MUCH! Hope
I would be able to go for more expeditions in future times to come thus
discovering more of my hidden qualities that have yet to be found.
We made it to the top!
A zillion and special thanks to Ying Shya, Uncle Guru, ELITE and the rest of the teams. We had made NYP proud by being able to reach the summit of Gunung Tahan.
Nur Asilah Binte Sab'awi
SIT, Yr 2
Last updated on 11-Oct-2005 by Mavis Lee