angsi adventure

21/3/2014 - Gunung Angsi

This time I hiked the famous Gunung Angsi, next to Gunung Datuk in Kuala Pilah Negeri Sembilan.

Generally it is a pretty good hike as it covers a gradual incline throughout the whole hike. Starting from the foot of the mountain at Hutan Lipur Ulu Bendul, a family recreational area. It has clean toilets and proper changing area. Fees for toilet and shower differs, but the cleanliness is great!

Entrance fee to the park is free however a fee of RM5 is charged to anyone who'd wish to trek the forest reserve (and that is to Gunung Angsi). It is quite pricey as the maintenance of the forest reserve is poor. You can see trash almost everywhere, especially at the vertical climb section. We did some cleaning up before we leave the reserve.

We started the hike at 11am. It is late by hiking standards because you want to enjoy the hike as much as possible and if you are unlucky, on your first hike to in that place, you might get lost! It is always advisable to start the trek early in the morning.

Angsi, here I come!
Starting from the river where people camp and family gather for a picnic, we trekked along the riverbed. The tracks are wide, kind of reminds me of the tracks of Mount Kinabalu.

There are some small river crossings. During this hike, its the driest season in Malaysia. Count your blessings, they say, it was actually a good hike because of the dry tracks. I bet during rainy season, the tracks will be slippery - lateritic soil, that is!

We reached the first hut after 30 minutes. We made it within reasonable speed. No stops until the first hut. Water tastes like heaven!! Since we started late, I guess my friends were all pressured to speed up the hike before having to turn back before our cutoff time at 2pm.

1st hut, first stop

10 minute break - and off we go! It was still a pleasant hike, no inclines ; just smooth trekking for the next 20 minutes, until we reach the second river crossing and the hanging log. 

hanging log

 After the log, the climb gets tougher and its no joke. The scorching hot sun made the climb uncomfortable for me as I started to sweat even without moving! To top it off with ice cream and chocolate sprinkles, the incline and the heat made it even worst. Under cool weather, the climb would be easy and enjoyable. Enough said, at the time all I was looking forward to was the peak! The frequent stops made me tired - I would be lying if I said that I didn't need the break, but it would be alot nicer if the breaks were a lot lesser.

it gets tough!

The trek up to the peak takes about an hour and a half at a normal pace - but since we made alot of stops during the hike, we managed to make it up to the peak within 2 and a half hours (eh, not that bad ok!) What I like about trekking to the peak was the vertical climb. Here's the pic 

From the vertical climb, there is another 30 mins of trekking to the peak. By this time, I was already out of breath tired. I have not climbed a while since the Trans Titiwangsa trip in November. I knew my thighs are going to cry tomorrow! The peak is surprisingly a big area, more like a mini park where there is benches and a gazebo to rest from the sun. 

Angsi beirut

i conquered you angsi!

Overall it was a good hike. Something I have been wanting to do since my last hike in November. I am an outdoorsy gal but nothing beats the mountains! The feeling standing on the peak is truly a blessed experience. At any one point on the peak, you feel small and alone. Blessed that God chose you to share His creations. I am not lying but I personally think the mountains will be the safest place to run from zombies (if there is such thing as the zombie apocalypse) haha! 

Mount Angsi, completed.