Alhamdulillah, the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were excellent! I must had been really famish, as I gobbled up almost all the slices of bread I had recently brought (it was suppose to last for at least three breakfast, but now only two slices of bread remains).
Stomach content (for a while); let me proceed on with my story.
Bukit Tabur is a hill located in Taman Melawati, Malaysia. It is also known locally as Bukit Hangus. The hill is very prominent and could be seen from the Kuala Lumpur Middle Ring Road 2. The hill, which is less than 1000 metres, is a quartz ridge. Climbers enter the hiking trail via Kampung Klang Gates, 50 metres from the gates of the Klang Gates Dam, at the back of Taman Melawatifor a quick 3-4 hours climb. The Gombak Forest Reserve and Klang Gates Dam are beside the hill. The peak offers s view of the dam.
Wikipedia
I was deeply interested with this hill after reading this person blog and decided to try to tackle it. I inform my pals of my intention and by the Saturday night, I had 4 friends agree on joining me. Unfortunately, more could not attend as they were late inform and had already plans for Sunday. However, since the invitation was in private, I was not aware that a friend of mine had invited few juniors of mine as well.
So I was a little surprised, to see that another car would be following us as we gathered at our meeting point at around 7am.
We were a bit late, so we decided to have a drink first at a nearby Mamak Stall, where I managed to capture this beautiful picture of the rainbow.
A great beginning?
Nah! I had forgotten that on that Sunday, there was a marathon going on at KL. Therefore, our road was block and we had to trouble ourselves to find an alternatives road to Taman Melawati.
Fortunately, we somehow managed to get there.
Which lead us to our second problem; where is the Klang Gates Dam?
After few wrong turns, we met an uncle (with his wife) who, like us, also lost trying to find the dam. His wife recommends us to approach some construction work who may know the place. Following her advice, we soon reach to our destination.
At 9am, we unload our bags from the cars. It was quite late by then, with the descending of many hikers from the entry point as prove to that. Some of us had to go to the toilet, and fortunately, a housewife permits the use of her toilet in her house. Then, we had a warming up session and prayer recitation. By 9.30am, we were prepared and ready to go! Yes, we are very late.
The entry point to Bukit Tabur West was just few metres from the entry gate of the Klang Gates Dam. From there, you will be climbing a rather steep path. For some of us, we underestimate the hill. It was challenging, far more challenging than the rather pleasuring Bukit Broga, and perhaps comparable to some of the mountains I had hiked in the past.
However, the hiking was to be enjoyed.
At first, you will be hiking through steep forest path, where there is nothing worth seeing. But after a certain height, when the trees started to dwarf and resembled the Bonsai Trees, that’s when the scenery changes. On your right (depends on where you are at that time), you can see the lake that forms the dam. On your left, you will see a nice view of KL. On your back, there is the view of the gigantic Bukit Tabur East.
And on your front? Rock. Crystal Rock.
I guess that is why Bukit Tabur is known as Crystal Hill. On the higher ground, the terrain changes from brown soil to white rock. You can even experience a little bit of rock climbing here.
Here is another thing about Bukit Tabur; it has many peaks. Therefore, for beginners or for those who came unprepared, they may suffer from mental breakdown. Eventually as we prolong our hike, some of us begin to experience the breakdown. Luckily, they are in good and patience hands.
As we reached to some of these false peaks, more and more hikers begin to descend. Some did not do as far as we did (later). Perhaps some of them were only interested in seeing the sunrise from one of the peak (the peaks offer a nice view).
While hiking, we met a group of hikers who had experience with this hill. We decided to tag along with them, and they had been helpful, especially towards the ladies in our group. Unfortunately, we did not manage to get their contact at the end of the trip. However, should there is a chance that one of them may read my blog, I would like to say thanks for sticking around with us.
Well, enough writing, here are some pictures, taken by me, Najmi, and Fahmi, during the trip.
We ended our trip at around 3 pm. Despite bringing in some freshmen (or rather fresh-ladies) to this trip, I glad and proud to see all of us managed to finish the trip without much trouble.
Later, I learnt that two (and perhaps three) of my uncles had once conquered this hill. They climb all the way from the Klang Gates Dam, up till the end of the hill, which is somewhere in Gombak.
I did not. We only do it half way.
That is why I said Bukit Tabur is an unfinished business for me.
Next time, I’ll be sure to finish the hike.
Next time, I’ll be sure to view sunrise from one of it’s peak.
Next time.
p.s: Will be updating his CUS trip....soon :P
p.s.s: What's next? (Grin)
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