Trans V1

Date: 11 June 2016

Team mate Subra

Start Farm Gate Blue Valley Dam

End Kinta Dam

The initial plan was to do solo Trans V1 during semester break, but Subra showed interest and wanted to join in the challenge. As the date nearing, my interest was decaying and nearing almost to no go. But finally it took place as Subra has bought the air ticket. 

Made the call for four wheel pick up at Kampung Raja. And all set to on Saturday, 06:00, 11 June 2016. 

Picked up Subra from his relation house, Subang Bestari. Arrived at Kampung Raja at 05:00 and had a short nap. The Stall opened around 05:45 and we wanted to eat breakfast - roti telur but the stall lady so busy preparing other type of food and said have to wait 10 minutes (India ten minutes). The pick supposed to be at 06:00, but Kumar not shown up so called him at 06:30 told to pick at 07:00. We finally decided to eat itali and ready by 07:00. Kumar showed up at 07:30 and head of to new trail head - Farm Gate which will lead straight to Camp Cabin. We start the expedition at 08:10 and arrived at summit of Yong Belar 12:00, had lunch for 20 min. Head to Anak Yong Belar in 44 minutes - the summit was cleared for heli maybe for rescue issue. From Anak YB to Puncak H2O was long and finally we arrived after soon after we meet camp H2O. The trail out from the camp site was not clear and not well marked but we manage to find the trail that heads to Puncak Junction. At Puncak Junction after  and had small break and grab something to eat. We were not sure with trail to take as it is a junction, the clouds is not helping and we decided to go straight. After 20 min, I realized that we are heading back to Cameron – Mt Yong Yap, as the view of Cameron was very clear, we stop and check the compass and is indeed true that the direction is wrong. As we assess, clouds cleared and we had a good view of Gayong and Korbu and the clear direction that is need to take. We turn back and heading toward Camp Cerik and we were greeted with lovely sunset right after a shower. However we can't get good view. Soon we were at Camp Cerik and Proton Junction and within minutes Gayong. The hike to Korbu was too long and it took us about 2 hours to reach the summit. We were at summit right before 23:00 and the landscape of Korbu' summit is totally transformed from Low Cost Flat to luxurious bungalow and we were not aware that there are 3 trails instead of 2 as I know. It was raining, cold and we wanted to clear the summit super fast, thus we took the trail marked with AWAS tape. As we descend the trail doesn't feel familiar and we keep saying this not familiar, but the AWAS tape was there guide us further in. We came to so call Puncak Botak, indeed it look like it but rather smaller and I had a look at Korbu summit, but it wasn't the registered image - it's too wide. But continued as nothing could be wrong or this could be the trail from Kampar site or is just another Orang Asli hunting trail. About 3 hours in trail we came to unclear trail and we spend a bit of time to search the trail and decided to turn back, but AWAS tapes again give the confident but trail floor was not clear and not been "overly used". So we turn back to continue and soon after we decided to take a short nap on the trail. My first nap in 28 hours. The rain drops still dripping from the canopy but managed to dosed off. Woke up as it was too cold. Said let head back to Puncak Botak, but Subra said let's continue so we finally continued the descend with Subra leading the way. After about 40 minutes we arrived at unnamed camp site by the river. Soon we were at the river crossing and the AWAS tape was there but it's disappear after 2 marks. Spend time to search the trail but failed to located and I told it's impossible for hiker to use this trail any further as a steep downward and upward. Decided to turn back and hit back camp site, and we went back to river and sleep till sunrise. Woke up and search for trail for about a hour yet we failed as there is no more trail. 

Finally, decided to head back to Korbu. Took about 6 hours to head back to summit. As we ascent we could see the Gayong summit still clearly visible which confirmed that we took wrong trail. Arrived at so called Puncak Botak and it's clear that's not Puncak Botak. Right before reaching summit received call, and called wife and inform that we should be by 22:00. Subra called his family too.

Arrived at summit around 13:40 called brother-law for pick up arrangement. Unloaded, ate and slept. Left summit at 14:30. All looks fine till I realized that we might be at wrong trail again as too much of mossy forest. Brain not really working well due to fatigue and finally told Subra that I will run into the trail and if I didn't return after 15 min, he should continue. As the altitude not dropping I was confident that it's not the trail and decided to turn back. We discussed and I said we should return back to summit and I will go fast infront. As I arrived to a peak, shopped and try to recall old memory and made some assessment. The mental picture doesn't gel up. Subra came and we debated and agree to continue with the trail. I told him that I will go first. To my worse nightmare, we were on the wrong trail - heading to Gayong. Shit happens. Twice. Turn back and caught with subra and we head back to Korbu again. Started to rain and I was very cold. Subra was in front and he was moving very fast and I can't keep up with him. Arrived at summit for 3rd time just before 20:00. Tried to call brother-in-law but can't get thru. Found the right trail and headed down and Subra followed, but was not confident so told him that I want to go to summit again to really ensure. Came up to summit, heavy rain with occasional lightning and thunder. Soon after at summit I lost my sense of direction and became disoriented and panicked. Composed myself search the trails and finally confident that the right one. Go down and continued. Soon after we hit the ladder - sense of relief. We continued in the ice cold rain and go down uncountable number ladders. Best thing is that as we lost the altitude, it's get warmer. We hit Puncak Botak, Last Water Point, Camp Kijang and Camp Seroja. We were at the Big Log Waterfall by the sunrise, with couples of river crossings we finally hit the TWO huge Petai Trees. I ran ahead of Subra to get the motorbike to pick up Subra. Manage to flag down a bite and were out. The Orang Asli said that not telephone reception at the dam thus he stop half way, made call to brother-in-law and told that we will wait at the stall next to dam. Hit the stall and ordered food and drink and waited.

As the waiting time increased, I

Farm Gate – Trail Head (a.k.a Camp Cabin)

FARM GATE – TRAIL HEAD (CAMP CABIN)

Distance: 1.7km

Time: 20 minutes

Terrain: Red soil road

Since the farm is privately own, we been dropped off at the gate by our pick up – Mr Kumar. Kumar told that we take right at the “T” junction (the left would be the old trail from the river crossing).

The farm is massively huge right in the middle of jungle and lots people are working. No one said anything and we didn’t say a word to them. At the trail head, there signboard showing the contact transport to Yong Belar and hiker can call anytime – this different from my regular guy, this the owner’s and is very expensive too.

TRAIL HEAD – Camp Tudung periuk

Distance: 2.2km

Time: 65 minutes (09:34)

The trail was very clear as it was very fresh marks from previous hikers. Must have been lots of hiker been on it, what caught our attention was an animal footprints – same print was on the trail till the summit. Not sure what animal was it. Could have hiked faster, but we were taking it easy and the sun was hiding making the trail dark.

Stop at first false peak and snapped some picture of Table and Chair.

CAMP Tudung Periuk – camp kasut

Distance: 3.1km

Time: 98 minutes (11:12)

Subra refilled his water supply from the stream and I had good wash of my sticky sweats and cooling down. Normal hike with lots of ups and downs. Arrived at Camp Kasut and had a short break – 10 minutes. We saw lots of cloths been left dry, a camp set and some food left hanging but beg was ripped open by animal (probably squirrels).

Camp Kasut – Yong Belar summit  

Distance: 1.1 km

Time: 42 minutes (12:02)

Going thru the mossy forest and rather wet and muddy trail due to rain. The foot prints still can be seen here. Snapped some pictures and had lunch with 23 minutes breaks. Had relatively good view of Gayong and Korbu, but soon after the massive clouds moved in blocking the views and brought the cold. Asked Subra if he want to turn back or to proceed with TransV1, and answer was proceed.