XPedisi to Climb Gunung Berlumut

Expedition to Climb Gunung Berlumut @ Kahang, Kluang on 19-12-09

LOCATION:
This is the secondary recreational forest in Kluang district and is located 30km from Kluang town. To get there, travel along Kluang-Jemaluang trunk road for 12 km then turn into a junction next to johor Lowland tea Plantation and then to the Felda Ulu Dengar Oil Palm plantation. The forest is pristine and its peak of 1,004 is a challenge to hikers. These park is ideal for picnicking, relaxation and group activities. Beside the park is a cool mountain stream that is a source of much fun and enjoyment. The forest is steep in folklore too, such as the sighting of Big Foot.
As we planned this 2nd climb in Kluang after the mixed results during the 1st climb, at Gunung Lambak also at Kluang. The response for this climb was over helming as more than 27 staff from JB and Kluang registered for the climb, some who wanted to climb could not do so because of work commitment.
Prior to the climb as part of my preparation went to the Gym to increase my stamina but only managed 2 days during the week, even though was insufficient but was able to loosen up the muscles to be able to withstand the climb. On the eve of the climb went to Tesco to purchase Football socks, but there was none, during the search saw mountain climbing shoes, where I decided to purchase.
The morning of the climb woke up at 5am was excited that another climb is to become a reality after the normal chores in every morning was at the Office at 6.15am as we were to leave by 6.30am to the mountain base. But as usual at about 6.45am still not all who were to climb the mountain was present. At 6.55am there were 16 staff and we decided to leave as it was getting late.
Reached the base of the mountain at about 8.20am where there was already the staff from Kluang who totaled to 9 of them and at about 9am we were doing the warm up and also baca Doa but the Ranger, The guide to take us up was not to be seen, all the excited staff were a bit agitated to wait, as the climb up was told will take a minimum of 4hours, some was already having their food while waiting some when to the Hanging Bridge at the foot of the Mountain. The guide finally reached at about 9.50am and we started the journey as the day seem cloudy, which was perfect for the climb. Only 19 of us was at the started the climb the rest actually came as a team spirit to support as they had medical reason that prevented them to join the rest of us.
The start of the climb was not that taxing as we strut along the pathway up, the entire troop was in high spirits, we reached our 1st stop at 1.5km at about 10.25am, the entire journey up is about 6km one way. We rested for a while took some snaps and then being our journey at this stop there was 1 participant dropped out and return back down. While walking upwards there were 3 of them were already struggling for breath, told them to take a step at a time and to take the hardship faced as a challenge and surely they could beat their physical limitations. We continued the climb, during these time it beign to drizzle we reached our next stop at 3km point at about 11.30am. Was at the point for about 20 minutes while waiting for the rest of the team to arrive there. The place is called Batu Bergigi as the rocks looks like a human teeth and according to the guide the stone is growing in time. The Guide at the time discouraged us to go to the summit giving us reason its raining and the path up will be slippery. Asked all present they wanted to continue with the journey. For me the condition surrounding was not an issue and the battle was with me and me only as it was already energy sapping, but I know I could take the journey.
The drizzle did not seem to stop but all of us was geared to proceed as our aim was one to reach the summit, during this time the 3 guys who had trouble with the climb as been reduced to 2 and there was no sight of them as the other guy have managed to join the main group. At about 12.30pm we reached our final stop before we begin our final push to the summit, the climb was steep but as we are all focused to reach the top these physical obstacles was not a hinderance.
I reached the summit at about 1.30pm, the 1st group reached the summit about 15minutes earlier. The atmosphere there at the summit was breeze and with the drizzle with was really chill, like was in Genting. At about 2.10pm a group of staff begin their decent while we waited for another 2 staff who was still climbing up to the summit. Both of them reached to the summit at 2.25pm were greeted with applause. Told all present this is the spirit we need to be successful, never give up, and never doubt your own ability. Once a person is determined to reach his goal no distraction will come to his mind.
We began our decent at about 2.30pm, after about 40minutes of I felt sharp pain on my heels, as I continue to walk the pain became unbearable, the pain was also on both my toes, during this time the decent was a terrible experience, as I was only taking 1 small step at a time, there was no sight of anyone in front of me and the group at back was I think much back, so I continued to walk. As it was still drizzling, the down ward path was slippery every step has to be careful the pain was still a bother. Do I have a choice?, there is no two ways at this point to forget the pain and continue to walk, the time was tickling away, it was already 4.30pm the surrounding has began to darken. The guide during our accent said at times the surrounding will become dark, when the mist gets thicker. Here I was all alone, fear began to creep in, as I was chanting I continue to walk, walk and walk. All along the trail there was these wild boars footprints, the fear of them appearing was there. During this time I heard a loud thump of something dropping at the back of me was it monkeys or was it wild boars, I continued my walk. As I turned back there was sight of no one, and moments later I heard a noise….or is it music……Then all of a sudden I saw 3 lovely Hornbills, they were playing at the Branches above, as I reached out for the camera they flew off. I felt so nice after this even it was like Swami was there giving assurance that all will be right. I was happy since after so many jungle trips in Sarawak, the Land of Hornbills, I never did saw one in the wild and here all of a sudden I saw 3. After this event my energy was renewed, the fear has left me as I continue walking. But with every step forward the pain in both my feet was getting worse.
As I kept walking I know it should less then 1.5km down but I did not see the spot we rested on the way up but I could see the water pipe which means my destination is near. Walking…..it was crawling my way down…..and then I could hear noise of children playing which means I have reached the destination. At about 5.20pm I reached the hanging bridge and then to change. There was no sign of the other group of 7 more people, then at about 6pm 2 reached to the base which left another 5, the guide has left the weather was getting dark. I called them they said they are very near the base and will be reaching down soon. When they said that I felt comfortable, and took leave and left for KL as I approached Kluang the group called that they have reached the base, which was at about 6.30pm. They said during their way down they saw a herd of Wild Boar running in front of them, but did not harm them. That was just how lucky we all were.
This was a successful climb since the number of people who completed the full course was 18 out of 19 started. This shows with proper motivation and will power we can overcome all obstacles to achieve our aim in Life. We all are looking forward to the next climb which is in January 2010 at Gunung Lambak also in Kluang before the next big summit in the South which is Gunung Ledang this climb will be a company event where the climbers will be from various departments in HQ and Branches around Johor