Gunung Tahan

Gunung Tahan: 2187m AMSL
Geographic Location: Taman Negara, Pahang, Malaysia
Date climbed: 05.07.2003 - 10.07.2003
Type: Cross-over, Merapoh to Kuala Tahan
Team leader: Uncle George
Team members: Wen Fei, Sook Ling, Chen Ping
Alvin, Jordon, and David

(In memory of Alvin who passed away in a road accident not long after this trek.)

The Highest Mountain in Peninsula Melaysia

Gunung Tahan is situated in the National Park (Taman Negara) of Malaysia, in the state of Pahang. At a height of 2187m, it is the highest mountain in Peninsula Melaysia. There are 3 ways of climbing this mountain, of which the 2 most popular ones are from Kuala Tahan and Merapoh. The Kuala Tahan trail is also called the "classic trail" as it was the original, older trail before the Merapoh trail was discovered. The ascent from classic trail is also one of the most physically demanding among Malaysia mountains, and months of physical fitness training is needed before most trekkers would attempt it. It takes about 4-5 days to reach the summit from Kuala Tahan, and 2 days from Merapoh.

4/7/2003 Day 0: Singapore - Merapoh

2020	Train started moving towards JB. We took the sleeper berths on Ekspres Timuran and spent the night on the train.

5/7/2003 Day 1: Merapoh - Sungai Relau - Kuala Juram - Kem Kor

0735	Reached Merapoh, had breakfast in the coffee shop opposite train station. Gotten a van to bring us in, and it looked rather broken.
0810	Left coffeeshop for Sungai Relau.
0822	Reached National Park ranger's post at Sungai Relau. Did registration.
0948	Finished all formalities of signing in and declaring all our stuffs. Left for Kuala Juram in the Park jeeps.
1007	Encountered fallen log in the middle of the road, blocking our 2 jeeps. Needed 10 persons to push the log aside. Actually not exactly 10 persons as all the ladies were just watching, only the guys were doing the work.
1010	Reached Kuala Juram, final preparation before leaving for Tahan.
1027	Ready to set off for our trek, est time 5-6 hours to reach campsite (Kem Kor).
1040	Crossed first river. My altimeter read 295m.
1052	Just completed 2nd river crossing, water current was very strong, surrounding was wet and damp. Already seen some leeches.
1145	Crossed 3rd river. So far I'd gotten 4-5 leeches on me. 1st one was after 1st river with deepest bite, which had gotten into my shoe. It was not very skillful as I felt the pain and realised and pull it out. Came down from a very steep slope with rope before the 3rd river.
1225	Crossed 4th river, which was the easiest as we crossed on top of a big rock, and reached Kuala Luis. The previous ones were more difficult as we needed to take off our shoes and walked bare footed inside the river, and even so our shoes still fell into the river, nullifying our effords. Kuala Luwis read 335m on my altimeter, while official was 305m on sign board. We're about 6km away from Lata Luwis. Had lunch.
1300	Set off for Lata Luis.
1335	Crossed 5th river, easy as we only needed to hop on the rocks. Unloaded some vegetables from Uncle George (likely more then 1kg), felt the weight on my shoulders, probably because the heavier vegetables were on top instead of at the bottom of the backpack.
1430	Reached Lata Luis, sign board altitude 558m, my altimeter 615m, and Sok Ling's altimeter 465m which we thought was out of calibration. Trek was gruesome, not because of the terrain (which was easier then Ophir or Belumut) but the weights on our backs. Kem Kor is 2.5m from here.
1454	Another river crossing, also hopping on the rocks, but the rocks were very slippery and I fell into the water, gotten my shoes wet.
1525	Last river crossing before Kem Kor, also rocks hopping.
1545	Finally reached Kem Kor. Sign board altitude 750m, Permatang is 2.5km away. My adjusted altimeter read 730m. Rested and set up camp for the night.

	4th river right before Kuala Luis
	Uncle George and guides having some "fresh air" at Kuala Luis lunch point
	Sign board at Kuala Luis

 

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Copyright © David Wong. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced without prior permission from the author. To email me, remove the "_spamaway" from the following address: kalohimal_spamaway@yahoo.com.sg