Here’s the 2nd and final set of photos for the Gunung Irau trip, copied from the tour guide’s camera:
Clambouring down slopes overgrown with roots…
Getting through a forest of branches…
Walking on roots to avoid the MUD! (Bubbles: what?!?!)
A mist descended upon the intruders of mistic forest…
onward!
An early moss forest…
Clambouring up rocks…
Climbing out of a hole in the ground, part of the journey?!
A tunnel formed from tree roots!?
Moss forest…
Group photo at a picturesque Moss Forest.
Group photo at the peak.
dinner in front of fireplace in the Malaysian Nature Society house.
Hot Steamy Porridge breakfast with fresh vegetables from cameron, yum!
Next hiking on the card will be organised by Vincent Tan. It’s next to the Melawati Zoo Negara and it reaches the Sg. Klang Dam Gates, offering a view of the KL skyline.
Some dude written a guide to the place with some nice photos: http://www.endemicguides.com/Tabur_hill.htm
Bro’s comment’s that there’s some dangerous climbing involved but quite a good view. Two hours hiking only so you guys who are interested can buzz Vincent.
This past weekend just did a trek to Gunung Irau, the famed “green mossy forest trail” in Cameron Highlands.
A rather tough trek, the whole journey took a total of 10 hours, from 9.30am in the morning to 7.30pm in the evening.
We had checked in the dorm the night before at the Malaysian Nature Society’s cosy abode in the middle of the Boh Tea Plantation.
The next morning, we started with a drive up Gunung Brinchang. There we met our first obstacle with the cars having difficulty going up the steep uneven road:
With some hassle, we managed to get moving and then proceeded into the forest.
Some truly unique sight found in certain parts of the world can be seen here in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia: The moss-covered forest.
Plenty of steep slopes to challenge the trekkers’ physical endurance.
Lots of large rainforest tree trunks to step around/clamber on.
G. Irau Jungle trek:- total 2.35km one way.
As we climb on, we find ourselves surrounded by mists/fog/cloud.
It’s peaceful here.
Jungle walk no#14. It takes 30mins just to do 0.4km.
Darling Li Li during one of the rest breaks. We were given various biscuits and chocolates for consumption during breaks to keep our energy up.
More steep slopes and tree roots. Some tree roots need to be passed underneath.
As we go deeper into the forest, the moss starts to become thicker and more dense.
Unlike other mountain treks, there is a strong emphasis on using hands to grab tree branches/roots to hoist oneself up the path, or to let oneself down.
There are moss covered trees all around. The ground however is muddy like heck.
This sign here had suffered some sort of burn.
The cloud obscures the view of the sky and the mountain side.
A typical path, roots below, branches above. Sorta like a tunnel.
Some eerie tree formation with cavities between the trunk-roots.
Trees covering the path.
Another weird formation:- a tree stump sticking out from the ground, covered with moss and seaweed-like-coral-kinda greenies.
Nearing our destination.
Some places required climbing over rocks… ouch, sharp! bring your gloves!
Another green tunnel, moss-covered branches above, tree roots below.
We’re here! The peak’s a little underwhelming. Not much of a view, it serves rather as a sort of marker signifying the limit of the climb. The journey’s more interesting.
A typical participant’s shoes when reaching the peak. Three words: MUD! MUDDY! MUDDIER!
(Bubbles: hhmmm… did someone say MUD?! I am a pig, I heart MUD!)
Going back is faster since everyone did not stop for photos anymore. Overall still ~9 hours climb though.
Verdict: The green moss-covered forest is special and the best part only comes near the end, so no skipping the rough and long climb early on. The green moss-carpet has been destroyed by constant trampling by too-many tourists. The last part of the trail is the portion still in the better condition because presumably less people made it that far. Bearing this in mind, there’s another trail I recommend to see the moss-carpet which me and my ex-schoolmates encountered. It is near G. Beremban at Tanah Rata. It has less moss-covered trees, but more moss-covered ground.
Many have talked about it, we have done it again! Camerons eurogames retreat 2007! (yes, barely few months after the last one)
Camerons
First game played:
Bang! Courtesy of Mr. Jeff Au’s teaching us this game, this game is now a favourite of ours.
coloretto made it to the table. Alvin taught this game with the ‘alternate’ rules, which makes it rather confusing for us poor malaysians as we couldn’t remember who picked what cards.
Dinner was hot steamboat up cold camerons. Glorious! It was a bit late due to our being engrossed over Bang! and Coloretto.
After that is pasar malam and strawberry fondue! creamy chocolaty sugary treat. sinful.
This is second night, the guys playing Bang! again while I tried to tackle the Marvel Heroes rulebook.
Guys playing That’s Life!
This was the failed Marvel Heroes game attempt in the afternoon… No one bothered to read the rulebook!
This is Ivan, telling frightening stories of not being able to survive a Cameron Highlands hiking trip.
He didn’t have to worry… this is sweat drenched us posing after an hour trek in the jungle.
This is us visiting the Boh Palas tea centre on the last day.
What are we looking at?
a bug! we all nature lovers!
Last destination for Cameron boardgamers: The brinchang watchtower!
No mean feat, driving up here to peninsular malaysia’s highest point accessible by car!
Group Photo: wish you were here!
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