Tahan Map and Cost

For future use only.

Map [Click to enlarge]

Hampalang Cost [Click to enlarge]

Tong Hua (Eng. Fairy Tale) by Michael Wong Guang Liang

wang le you duo jiu
zai mei ting dao ni
dui wo shuo ni zui ai de gu shi
wo xiang le hen jiu
wo kai shi huang le
shi bu shi wo you zuo cuo le shen me

#
ni ku zhao dui wo shuo
tong hua li du shi pian ren de
wo bu ke neng shi ni de wang zi
ye xu ni bu hui dong
cong ni shuo ai wo yi hou
wo de tian kong xing xing dou liang le

*
wo yuan bian cheng tong hua li
ni ai de na ge tian shi
zhang kai shuang shou
bian cheng chi bang shou hu ni
ni yao xiang xin
xiang xin wo men hui xiang tong hua gu shi li
xin fu he kuai le shi jie ju

Repeat # and *

wo yao bian cheng tong hua li
ni ai de na ge tian shi
zhang kai shuang shou
bian cheng chi bang shou hu ni
ni yao xiang xin
xiang xin wo men hui xiang tong hua gu shi li
xin fu he kuai le shi jie ju

wo hui bian cheng tong hua li
ni ai de na ge tian shi
zhang kai shuang shou
bian cheng chi bang shou hu ni
ni yao xiang xin
xiang xin wo men hui xiang tong hua gu shi li
xin fu he kuai le shi jie ju

yi qi xie wo men de jie ju

It is a Mission

I called Taman Negara few days back and thought that everyone should know this. The authority told me that an extra RM150 will be charged per night if you FAIL to finish the trek within 7 days. So 168-Hour Tahan Adventure is a mission, it is not merely a one-week holiday trip. Trainings are to make you mentally prepared for the worst case scenarios. And we are gonna prove it in a week time! Fighting!

What doesn’t kill me will only make me stronger! - Chin Gian

The day started off with our very own RIKL president being early at our meeting point! Shih Chung! Early! And it all happened because we were prompted by the organizer to be punctual and arrive at 0700 hours, though we eventually set out at 0815 hours due to unalterable traditions and technicalities.
We arrived at Nuang and started our hike later than the planned time. This time around, everyone had their fair share of logistics equipment to carry to ensure everyone was loaded up and really TRAINING! We did take our own sweet time to get ready, and when we were, the morning sun was almost ready to climb up to the middle of the sky already.
The first part of the hike was fairly monotonous as it was merely an off-road trail. We were slogging ourselves up to the starting point and just getting warmed up. The early part had already seen 17(?) hikers breaking up into two groups, mainly the few faster ones and the other moderate to slow hikers. Save for some singing and talking, we were practically gasping for breath and trying to conserve energy throughout, so the party was pretty quiet.
As we moved on, we crossed a dam, our supposed last water source. The water was clear and cool and could be drunk straight away, though exactly how clean it was is subject to judgment. (We had reports of dirahoae and vomiting after the trip) We stopped near the water hole to lunch on our self-prepared food. Some simply conserved energy by catching a quick nap! After lunch, it was uphill all the way with little or no rest in between. Spirits were quite dampened halfway up the mountain as we simply did not know how long more the journey would be nor how far ahead the faster group was. However, spirits rised when we hit Kem Pacat, the realistically last water source. We were quite sore, darkness was starting to blanket us and we were stumbling under the brunt of fatigue, not to mention an uncertainty of our distance from the peak. However, we decided to push on to the peak.
Nonetheless, after we moved on for half an hour, we decided to call it a day. I was personally glad to be getting some rest finally, though the peak seemed within reach already. We set up camp at Kem Pacat and started cooking before sunset. Our two cooks, Ze Xin and yours truly had a fair bit of help from the girls with the cooking and everything turned out ok. The food could have been tastier though, had Adrian brought salt instead of sugar! However, the selection of food was fair enough.

After a round of makaning, we indulged ourselves in some intellectual discussion. The topics ranged from touchy to humorous to downright confusing, but we finally managed to settle a few outstanding issues. The call for everyone to get some sleep was well appreciated. I got to test out sleeping in a hammock for the first time and it was truly pleasant! However, it didn’t come without its fair share of hammock-mate calling her honey deep in the woods, Karlye massaging me below when she entered her hammock, some display of fancy and abrupt lighting and quite a bit of chattering. I fell asleep gazing at the starry night, a sight that could well be missed among the urban environment back home.

The next morning, or rather four hours later, we were awakened. Some from our company had opted not to push for the peak and stand guard while preparing breakfast. The others simply didn’t have the comfort of our sleeping bags at our expense. We had a fair bit of trouble getting up, and I personally got a kick from shaking and shouting people out of their sleep and dreams, namely Xin Tong and Ze Xin! The look on their do-not-ever-disturb-me-again face was worth a million ringgit! Xin Tong even asked me to persuade her to wake up! HA!

By 4.30, we were up and about. Having had a filling dinner and some rest, we were motivated greatly to move on. The dark and the cold were quite encouraging, and the moonlight could have easily replaced our torches had the canopy not shielded it out! However, it was melancholic enough to keep us pushing on. We were hampered after one and a half hours as our cut-off time was quite near, but the president decided to push on, predicting the peak was quite near. We reached Puncak Pengasih and had our fair share of downhill from there. However, the trail soon picked up and we were surely on the right path.
The last part was the most mentally-challenging part as we kept asking the question: “Are we there yet?” Bend after bend, we imagined seeing the top, but it turned out to be a false judgment or tricks played by our tired minds. At the final push to the peak, we were led on by the shouting and singing of our scouts, Lydia and Terry. We were finally there!
The sense of achievement was great! However, the rest of the circumstances were much to be desired. Litter and leftover food could be found everywhere, the cold was intense and the trees blocked our view of sunrise – one of our targets. We did entertain ourselves with the “mati pucuk” signboard and hot instant noodles! We soon departed for camp and descent was way faster this time around.

Breakfast was a brief one of instant noodles and more curry or rendang. After that, we quickly packed and decamped. The descent was to be swift as we were behind time. Perhaps it was the motivation of the thought of home or the very nature of the terrain, but descent was indeed swift. We even had time to wade a bit in one of the rivers we crossed.

As we came to the starting point of the yet monotonous off-trail road, I was perked by the possibility of stimulating things up. I asked around and finally found someone crazy enough to carry out the plans. After all, it takes at least two to race! Shih Chung would race me down the trail, a journey that would take one and a half hours by slow pace. 3, 2, 1 and we were gone.

Shih Chung started off with a very fast sprint downhill. I could barely believe his breakneck speed, literally! It was all I could do to try to keep up with him! Soon enough, I overtook him and led the way. My descent was to be hampered by my sleeping mat falling off from my rucksack, resulting in my holding it throughout the race. However after that, there were fairly few obstacles, save for the threat of dehydration, the stony road and the constant threat of Shih Chung overtaking me.

After a good half hour of leading the way without any sign of our president, I finally caught sight of him! He was fast downhill while I was fast uphill; yet the trail had to lead downhill most of the time! He slowly but steadily caught up with me. The moment he overtook me, I figured it was over. My pace slowed down and I was done with. However, the sight of the chalets at the entrance was my saving grace! I knew we were near and decided to give it my all. 100 meters, 50 meters, 20, 10, 5…… We practically reached the finishing point at the same time, but for the fact that our finishing points were different, mine being Shih Chung’s Kenari and his being Lydia’s truck! We decided it would be Karlye’s call and shared our only miserable 500ml of water!

One hour later, we met up with the gang. Karlye ruled that the finishing point was Lydia’s yellow truck, which made me 1st runners-up, not a bad result if the number of participants had not been 2 people only! We returned the group gear and parted ways. It was off to lunch for a big portion of the company.

This trip up Nuang pushed quite a number of people to their limits, both physically and mentally. Perhaps some are having second thoughts about the ultimate trip and destination, Gunung Tahan, while others can’t wait for the day to come. Personally, I was challenged by the circumstances, both natural and man-made. The mere thought of multiplying the hardship seven folds is enough to break steel, but it will not break my will. At least I have a team of strong hikers and mates of strong resolve to conquer the toughest peak in Malaysia together with. What doesn’t kill me will only make me stronger!

by Chin Gian

click for bigger-wan

Map to Pekeliling Bus Station

Click on the link for a better image.

Meet Up at Pekeliling Bus Station:

Date : 19 March 2008
Time: 10pm

Reef Knot

• An excellent general purpose knot for tying two pieces of string or twine together, the reef knot is possibly the most commonly used knot for the job, and is easy to learn. However, it cannot be overly stressed that the Reef knot is not a long term or secure knot, and it should only be used to finish parcels or bindings. In other cases, use a more secure method of bending two ropes together, such as a Sheetbend, a Double Sheetbend, or a Fisherman's Knot.
• Unfortunately, the Reef knot can easily change into a slipping Lark's Head (see below), so it should never be used where life or limb are at risk.
• Holding one end of each rope in each hand, pass the left rope over the right, and tuck under. Then pass the same rope, now in the right hand, over the left rope, and tuck under.
  It is common to chant "Left over Right and Under, Right over Left and Under" when tying the knot. (This can also be performed as "Right over Left and Under, Left over Right and Under".)
• The reef knot can easliy be undone by gripping one loose end, and pulling it back over the knot, in the opposite direction, thus straightening the rope which is pulled. The other rope forms a Lark's Head knot, and slips off the tugged rope.
  The knot gets its name from its use on sailing ships, when the sails were "reefed" - rolled up and tied to the cross spar with a reef knot. To release the sail, the sailors would climb the rigging, and work their way along the cross spar, pulling the top end of the reef knot down. They only had to use one hand, holding on with the other. The weight of the sail would cause the reef knot to slip, and the sail would be released.
• Tip. If you want to tie two ropes together of similar thickness then never use a Reef knot. Only use it with string and twine when tying parcels, whippings and bindings.
• Tip. Never use this knot to join ropes of two different thicknesses.

More knots action on http://www.42brghtn.mistral.co.uk/knots/42ktmenu.html

Keeping your Tent safe!

Packing a Backpack

By GORP Hiking Expert Karen Berger

There's no one right answer to this question: It depends on what kind of pack you have and where you're going to hike. The general principle is that lighter-weight items go at the bottom, heavier items are at the top and close to your body. However, if you are going to be scrambling or hiking off-trail on rough terrain or snow, you might want to pack some of the heavier items a little lower to bring down your center of gravity. Sleeping bag.

Most packs are designed with a compartment at the bottom for your sleeping bag. If your pack has dividers that separate the sleeping bag from the rest of your gear, use them to take some of the weight off your sleeping bag. (Overly compressing a down sleeping bag can damage the down, resulting in less loft and, thus, less warmth.)

Clothes go in next.

But it's a good idea to stash a few of your warm clothes—hat, gloves, and an insulating layer—and your rain gear in an outside pocket where you can easily get them.
Tents and tarps.

There are a couple of choices for your tent or tarp. Most packs have a separate compartment (where the sleeping bag goes) that is accessible via a zipper. If your pack has such a compartment, see if you can stuff the tent under your sleeping bag. That way, you don't have to unpack everything to get your tent out if it's raining when you want to make camp. This placement also works for packing a wet tent because it won't drip on everything. Be sure, however, that the tent and sleeping bag are in waterproof stuffsacks. Tent poles go strapped to the outside: Tie them on tight!

Food, fuel, and cooking utensils.

Store the fuel upright and away from your food, in case of an accidental spill. Many hikers put their bottles in an outside compartment. Some utensils can have hard or sharp edges, so be sure the're not poking at your pack.

Personal items.

Squeeze these in wherever they fit.

Outside compartments.

Use these for items you'll need during the day: rain gear, a few warm clothes, pack-cover, water filter, water, lunch, snacks, TP, sunscreen, mosquito goop, and your camera.

Mattresses.

Most hikers roll up their sleeping pads and strap them to the outside of the packs. Some smaller mattresses fit inside a backpack, where they are better protected from accidental encounters with cactus needles and barbed wire fences.

http://gorp.away.com/gorp/activity/hiking/skills/packing.htm

Layering - the magic word

Learning to Layer Enjoying Winter from the Inside Out
Courtesy of W. L. Gore and Company

Comfort in the cold requires attention to details, and more than anything that means layering your clothing from the inside out.
What is the key to a proper layering system? The answer lies in the subtle dynamics of heat and moisture against your skin. The traditional garb for combating cold was a bulky parka and lots of wool undergarments. While this combination might work for someone standing still, they are impractical for the active outdoor enthusiast. Parkas are heavy, wool is itchy, and, most importantly, both garments trap moisture, which leads to damp discomfort when someone wearing them works up a sweat and then cools down. Layering, on the other hand, allows for a variety of conditions using lightweight and comfortable fabrics.
The trick to layering is to combine the right clothing in the proper order, trapping the air warmed by your body heat while letting moisture vapor from your body's perspiration be conducted away from your skin. The choice of garments must be versatile enough to adapt to your activity level and variations in weather conditions—maintaining the delicate balance of staying cool when active and warm when at rest.

Layer 1: Wicking
The first layer for cold-weather exposure should keep you warm and dry on the inside. Since it's what touches your skin, it also makes sense to wear something soft, lightweight and pliable (those who have been chaffed by wool underwear will attest to this). This layer, the underclothing, will work with your outer layer to keep you dry. The best material for long underwear are those that "wick" wetness away from your skin quickly and effectively.
If you're thinking about wool or cotton underwear for cold weather, you might think again. Both fabrics dry slowly, holding heat-draining moisture against your skin. We've all done it — worn cotton socks on a cold, damp day and lived to regret it — but there are a wide range of superior fabrics available now which can wean us from our past mistakes.
Today's synthetic fibers, polypropylene and the like, work much better. (Silk is nice too, but difficult to care for.) Not only do they feel comfortable against the skin, they dry quickly and actually pull perspiration vapor away from the skin towards the next layer of clothing, the insulation layer, where it can evaporate.

Layer 2: Insulation
The secret to staying warm and dry when temperatures dip — or when you're activity level tapers off — is to make sure you're well insulated against the cold. The moisture that's moving away from your skin has to keep moving. The best insulators will trap warm air, but offer necessary ventilation when you start too overheat. Clothing that gives you the best insulation should be comfortable and lightweight — durably windproof and adaptably breathable. GORE WindStopper® fleece is such a fabric commonly used by leading manufacturers.
Here's another tip on insulating: Incorporate as many layers as necessary to stay ahead of the cold, and control your heat retention by adding or removing layers as needed. It therefore makes sense to buy garments that are easy to put on and take off.
Versatility of the layering system is key. For example: When skiing, you can expect to be active for extended periods of time in cold weather. Start your day wearing a wicking layer and an outer shell. It may be a little cold to begin with, but your body will warm rapidly and begin to perspire. When you stop skiing, add an insulation layer to remain warm and comfortable.

Layer 3: Shell
The third or outside layer is your last line of defense, so outerwear should be appropriate for your activity. Jackets and pants must allow perspiration vapor to vent while blocking wind and rain. The material must reduce heat loss and assist the rest of your layers in keeping you dry and comfortable.
Over twenty years ago, an outer layer — or shell — that was capable of protecting you from wind, rain, and snow while letting perspiration escape simply wasn't available. Most people wore rubber or plastic suits for rain protection, but these materials trapped sweat, made the insulation layer wet, and kept the wearer chilled. Because they weren't breathable, your options were to get wet from the elements or get wet from your own sweat.
The invention of GORE-TEX® fabric revolutionized cold-weather outerwear. Able to withstand the most severe rain and snow while allowing perspiration vapor to escape, GORE-TEX® fabric has proven to be durable and windproof for a wide range of physical activities.
Today there are several effective performance fabrics available. In the process of making your choice, consider your activity and the level of protection you expect. Make sure the shell is large enough to fit easily over the other layers and that it is easy to care for so that you can maintain its performance over a long period of time. Use it in conjunction with the other elements of layering and, with luck, you'll never endure another uncomfortable day on the mountain.

Heat from Head to Foot
Layering works, but you'll only be comfortable and safe from the elements if you make sure your extremities are protected from the damp and cold as well.
Use a hat: Body heat escapes through your head more readily than hands or feet. That's because it has a large, exposed surface area and a rich, warm blood supply that is not diminished when exposed to cold. A hat can therefore be one of the most effective dampers for quick adjustments in temperature. Put it on when you feel a chill, and take it off when you're hot and sweaty.
Get good gloves: Your body, when exposed to the cold, will limit the amount of blood pumped to extremities to preserve heat within the vital organs. That's why your hands and feet are the first things to get cold — they're being sacrificed, in a sense, for the more important body parts. Because body heat escapes easily through your hands, it's hard to keep them warm. If they get wet, you can more or less forget about it. Always wear a good pair of gloves that are breathable and waterproof.
Protect your feet: Like your hands, your feet can quickly get cold and allow heat to escape. In fact, your feet can pump a full cup of perspiration over the course of an active day. The best defense for the cold is to keep them dry and warm. Durably waterproof, breathable footwear will provide you with the insurance you need to enjoy your outdoor activity. Add to that a heavy pair of synthetic-fiber (such as polypropylene or polyester) socks and a thin pair of wicking socks, and your days of cold feet should well be over.

Aunty Visit Issue

How to deal with getting your period on the trail?

Thanks for asking a question a LOT of other women are wondering about.
Warning to the guys hanging out here: You might want to run for cover this week. But first, consider printing this one out for your girlfriends and wives if they hike — or if this question is the reason they don't.

First, I'm going to recommend a terrific book: Women and Thruhiking on the Appalachian Trail by Beverly Hugo, which discusses the issue in detail, as well as just about anything else a female thru-hiker would want to know.

But let me cover some of the basics here:

Getting your period on a thru-hike is a slight inconvenience, nothing more. (Many women actually skip periods or find that the flow lessens quite a bit.) You'll probably want to experiment a bit to see which kinds of tampons you're most comfortable using when you're stuck somewhere without a toilet. Those with applicators make for more trash to pack out, but they may be more convenient to use. In addition, I always carry ultra-light pads (the super skinny ones). That way, if I happen to be one a trail with a lot of other hikers and not a lot of trees and bushes to hide behind, I don't have to worry about imminent accidents. This is especially true on rainy days. Using pads gives you more freedom to pick and choose when to take care of yourself. Keep some TP in a pocket, and during"that time of the month" keep your supplies in a handy place where you can get to them easily.

As far as disposal, carry a bunch of small ziplock bags for the daily trash, and a larger one where you can stash the small bags together. You'll find more opportunities to dispose of trash on the AT than you will on other trails — there are sometimes trash receptacles at road crossings and trailheads. If you can't find a place to dispose of sanitary products, you'll need to pack them out with your other garbage.

While it's not acceptable to bury the trash (animals will just dig it up — yech!), you may be able to burn it. If you were to be hiking in the fragile desert and alpine areas of the West, I wouldn't recommend this, but on the AT, there are plenty of places where it's perfectly acceptable to make fires (New Jersey and Connecticut being two exceptions), so you can certainly burn your trash at the end of the day.

The bottom line: Having your period in the woods is not really any bigger deal than it is at home.
Have a great hike!

http://gorp.away.com/gorp/activity/hiking/expert/exp032801.htm

Conquering BlistersBy

Conquering Blisters
By GORP Hiking Expert Karen Berger

Nothing—not rain, nor mosquitoes, not cold, not heat, not even your annoying brother-in-law who someone insisted on bringing along—nothing can derail a perfectly good hike as fast as a niggling little blister, especially when it multiplies in size until it's the only thing you can think of step after miserable step. We've all had them. But what's a walker to do? Is there away to avoid these annoyances?
You bet.
After suffering my share of hobbled hikes, I decided to see if I couldn't find a solution. I talked to boot reps, questioned my hiking buddies, and tried on enough boots to outfit a centipede. What I learned got me through all 2,158 miles of the Appalachian Trail without a single blister. Here's the scoop:

• Double-check the boot fit. If you're a beginning backpacker and you're not used to the feel of hiking boots, wear them at home for a couple of days for several hours to be sure they are comfortable. Seek out a reputable store and an experienced salesperson to find the best fit. If you wear them at home and they don't feel right, you can take them back to the store for exchange.
• Break in your boots. This is usually as much of an issue of toughening your feet as softening your boots. Any way you look at it, your feet and boots are going to have to reach a compromise, and better they work out their differences near home than on the trail. I like to walk about 50 miles in new boots before I hit the trail (which is great exercise, too). But even trustworthy comfy boots need to be reintroduced to your feet if you've been sitting around all winter. Before a big trip, I'll go out for a couple of four- or five-mile shorties near home, just so my feet and my boots can renew their acquaintance.
• Wear wicking socks—polypropylene or nylon are fine—under a pair of wool or wool-and-nylon blend outer socks. The wicking socks are less abrasive, plus they move moisture away from your feet. Never wear cotton socks—cotton absorbs moisture and practically guarantees blisters.
• Go easy on the mileage and keep your pack weight as low as possible.
• The absolutely number one most important rule of blister prevention: The second you feel the slightest hint of something rubbing in your shoe, STOP! Ignore your hiking partner's pleas to just keep going. Find the pebble, grass-seed, clump of dirt, grain of sand, or wrinkle in the sock. If it's a tight boot that's causing trouble, rub the inside of your boot with the blunt, rounded end of a Swiss army knife to try to stretch the leather or fabric.
• If you know you've got a vulnerable trouble spot, like the back of your heel, put a piece of moleskin on it before you start walking.
• Treat a hot spot with moleskin on the trail. If a blister has already started forming (it can happen in mere seconds), use a dressing called Second Skin (available from Spenco). This dressing was developed to treat burns—and after all, blisters are nothing more than friction burns. Whether you're putting moleskin over a hot spot or adhesive tape over a Second Skin dressing, remember that tape adheres better to dry skin than wet skin—so use a bandanna to dry your sweaty feet first.

To read more http://gorp.away.com/gorp/activity/hiking/skills/blisters.htm

Leave No Trace Principles

Leave No Trace Principles
On the trail and at the campsite, there's plenty you can do to leave nature...natural.
by: http://www.lnt.org/

Plan Ahead and Prepare

• Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit. (we got guide)
• Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies. (cold,grr...)
• Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
• Visit in small groups. Split larger parties into groups of 4-6. (hmm...3 groups?)
• Repackage food to minimize waste.
• Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

• Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
• Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
• Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
• In popular areas:
• Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
• Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy. (chin gian, listen!)
• Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
• In pristine areas:
• Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
• Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.

Dispose of Waste Properly

• Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
• Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole (slops pit) when finished.
• Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
• To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

Leave What You Find

• Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
• Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
• Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
• Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.

Minimize Campfire Impacts

• Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
• Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
• Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
• Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.

Respect Wildlife

• Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
• Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
• Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
• Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
• Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

Be Considerate of Other Visitors

• Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
• Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
• Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
• Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
• Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises

How to Buy Hiking Boots

Hiking Boot Buying Guide - How to Buy Hiking Boots
When it comes to choosing the correct Hiking Boots, you should always have a few goals in mind: you want your boots to be as light and comfortable as possible while keeping your feet dry, warm, and well-protected. If you have read our sections on Hiking Boot Features & Characteristics and Hiking Boot Types then you will understand how these factors influence each other. In this section, we will help you find the perfect Hiking Boots by explaining the things you should consider:

Intended Use
This is the single most important question you will have to ask yourself. As outlined in our Hiking Boot Types section, there are Hiking Boots for every kind of purpose. The class of your boot should increase under the following factors: expected terrain and weather conditions, intended Hiking duration, and intended backpack load.

Your Hiking Skill Level
A more experienced hiker might be able to choose lighter boots compared to a less experienced hiker even if they plan to do the same hike under the same conditions. Especially if you are new to Hiking, you should go for Hiking Boot that gives good support while your feet, ankles, achilles' tendon, calves, and legs get used to the added strain of Hiking. If you plan to increase your Hiking skill level by gradually increasing the difficulty, load, duration, and/or terrain difficulty of your hikes then make sure to buy boots that allow you to grow and that will still meet your needs once you reach your next skill level. However, there are no boots that facilitate all levels of Hiking so make sure to get new boots once you get into Hiking for which your current boots were clearly not intended.

Hiking Boot Quality
Good quality boots will not give up when the going gets tough. If there is one thing you do not want, it is a broken boot in the middle of a hike. When it comes to judging quality, there are a few things you can judge it by. The brand is often a good indicator. Good Hiking Boot brands have a name to live up to and most companies put their boots through rigid testing before launching them to ensure quality and durability. Cheap boots from an unknown brand are a ticket to trouble. Examine your boot closely. Take your time in checking the stitching, the connection of sole and upper, the toughness and lug pattern of the sole, the stiffness of the upper and the configuration, and type of the lacing. Judging their quality comes down to common sense and the expertise of your sales person.

Hiking Boot Fit
Once you have determined the type of boot you need and have selected a few of which you feel they have the quality you are looking for, it is time for the most important step: fitting. Finding a comfortable fit is a very personal matter and looking for a better fit really depends on your own unique feet, your personal preferences, and your Hiking experience. We can, however, give several tips and guidelines when fitting Hiking Boots:

• There is a difference in the shape and size of your feet in rest in the morning and your feet after a period of walking in the evening. Just to be safe, we recommend you take a 15-minute stroll around the park before fitting your boots and go late in the afternoon. This might feel like going a bit too far but the difference is noticeable, believe us.
• Wear the socks that you intend to use for Hiking. You might think that your socks will not make the difference but they do. Wear them as you try your boots.
• In general, you are looking for a snug fit with noticeable support all over your feet and ankles as you make a walking motion. Look for comfortably snug without feeling any pressure points.
• Remove the inner sole of the boots you are trying and place them against the sole of your feet. The better the outline of sole of the boot follows your own shape, the better the fit will probably be. The boot will most likely be too snug where your foot overlaps the sole or the boot will be too wide where the sole is larger than your foot's outline.
• Fit each pair of boots that you are considering by going through the following steps:

1. Enter your foot into the open boot with the laces unfastened. Stand up straight and push your foot forward into the toe of the boot. You should be able to slip your index finger between your heel and the heel of the boot. Do this for both boots.
2. Sit down and lace both boots. As you do so, your heel should move backwards filling the space your index finger created.
3. Stand up and walk around.
4. Assure that your toes do not touch the front of the boot. If they do then you should go for a larger sized boot.
5. Assure that your toes do not touch the top of the boot. If they do then you will need a boot with a larger (front-side) volume.
6. As you walk, the heel of your foot and the heel of the boot should move together in harmony. The heel of your foot should not slip out of the heel of your boot (heel lift). If you experience heel lift then your boots are either too large in size or the shape of the arch and heel cup are incompatible with the shape of your feet.

Brand Sizes
Each brand has its own definition of the 'average' foot and different brands cater to different foot shapes and mostly widths. Knowing your own feet, you should be able to tell your sales person if you need wider or narrower boots and he/she should be able to help you find corresponding brands. Some brands have different boots for different foot shapes but most companies only have one fit for each boot they produce.

Ignore Shoe Sizes
Do not pay too much attention to the sizes of the boots you try. The sizes of your ideal Hiking Boots could easily differ from your leisure/fashion shoes so do not worry if they are different in quoted size. Even Hiking Boots of the same size could feel very differently so disregard the Hiking Boot Sizes and just focus on the feeling of the fit.

Foot Shapes

If you have 'strange' feet where some parts (for instance, your toes) are not in proportion to the other parts or if your foot has an unusual shape then you will probably have to buy the best fitting shoe. Compensate for your irregularities by using insoles and specific socks.
These are the basic things you need to consider when buying Hiking Boots. Make sure to choose the pair that meets your requirements.

To read more http://www.abc-of-hiking.com/hiking-boots/hiking-boots-buying-guide.asp

-hiking-boot-features

-hiking-boot-types

It's gonna be cold up there...

Rules and Instructions for Keeping Warm in the Sack
By Chris Haggerty
1. REMEMBER: The sleeping bag doesn't heat you, you heat it. So use this rule, "Thickness is warmth", to keep this heat. If you're cold, add some more insulations (blankets, clothes, more newspaper).
***yes,the RM19.90 sleeping bag in Tesco is sufficient for Malaysian jungle, because no snow! And because you are heating yourself, the bag is just to trap you own body heat.
2. DO NOT SLEEP IN BOTTOM OF BAG: Your breath contains water. If you close your bag with your head inside, then this water sticks to the bag. Wear a hat to keep your head warm.
3. CHANGE CLOTHES: NEVER sleep in wet clothes. Even perspiration will chill you at night.
4. EAT A CANDY BAR: This increases your metabolism (moves your blood faster) and it helps keep you warm.
5. GO TO THE BATHROOM BEFORE BED: This saves you a middle of the night trip in the cold.
6. DO NOT DRY "WET" CLOTHES IN BAG: Moisture will travel from wet clothes to sleeping bag.
7. PUT TOMORROW'S CLOTHES UNDER BAG: This heats up clothes for tomorrow's cold morning and also provides more insulation.
8. FLUFF UP YOUR BAG: Always fluff up bag before using to create the thickness important in keeping warm.
9. MOST IMPORTANT, KEEP IT DRY: Keep all your sleeping gear dry and follow these rules, and winter camp should prove to be a rewarding experience.


IMPORTANT STUFF TO KEEP IN MIND
1. Clothing does not make you warm; it is your body processes that keep you warm. Clothing merely provides the insulation to preserve your warmth.
2. Layered thickness is warmth.
3. Keep your torso warm so that it can send heat to the extremities.
4. Avoid sweating by ventilation.
5. Keep rain and wind out of your insulation.
6. Use your head. Keep it covered when you're cold; remove cap as you warm up to avoid sweating.
7. Strain one muscle against another to maintain metabolism.
8. Wool clothing is best but needs wind protection, synthetics are next best. Down is OK as long as it stays dry, cotton is a poor choice.
9. If your feet are cold, put a hat on.
10. Remember the word "COLD" -
Keep your clothing - Clean.

Avoid -------------- Overheating

Wear clothing ------ Loose

Keep it ------------ Dry

To read more http://www.macscouter.com/keepwarm/keepwarm.asp

Why suffer if you don't have to?

Why hike ultralight?
Or, the better question to ask - why suffer if you don't have to? Why would anyone want to carry a 40 to 50 pound (18-22kg) pack? Yet, for the average hiker, this is about what they carry for a week long backpacking trip. (30 pounds (13kg) of pack and equipment, plus the standard two pounds (1kg) of food a day plus a little extra is about 45 pounds. (20kg)) This may be a conservative estimate for many.

A pack this heavy causes plenty of problems:
· Slow, tedious hiking
· Exhaustion, irritability, and low esprit de corps on the trail
· Increased chance of injury - sore back, sprained ankles, blown knees, sore muscles, bruised and blistered feet, sore hips and shoulders, etc.
· Tired, cross people make bad decisions, sometimes with serious consequences. Remember the guy who buried his hiking partner?
· Long hiking times mean less time for the fun stuff like relaxing in camp, fishing, staring at clouds, skinny dipping and side trips.
· When you get to camp, you're just too damn tired to do anything anyway.

Here a few other things you might try:
· Find out the horrible truth! Get all your stuff together and weight it. If you're like most conventional hikers, your equipment will weigh around 30 pounds (13 kg). Possibly higher.
· If you can, try to get individual weights for your heavier items. For stuff under a pound you may want to buy an inexpensive 10 lb. scale. Digital ones are nice but not essential.
· Look at my equipment lists (my list has a discussion of how I achieve my sub-eight pound pack) and the lists of other ultralight backpackers (see Links). This should give you a good idea of how you can reduce your pack weight and what type of equipment is available.
· If you can, put together a spreadsheet with all your equipment weights. This is an indispensable analysis tool.
· See what you can leave at home. Anything you don't bring is free weight reduction. Think hard about this one. Do you really need it?
· Try to figure out where you'll get the most "bang for the buck." E.g. figure out how much a new item costs and divide that by the amount of weight it will save you over your old equipment. Target the items that give you the most weight loss for the fewest dollars.
· If you can, don't try to do this all at once. Many items regularly go on sale or are closed out. Watch carefully over the course of a year and you could save 30 to 70 percent on your equipment.

To read more http://www.adventurealan.com/

Transportation

If you're still blur blur, you need to touch your right elbow with your right hand NOW!

Okay! This is how we will be going to and coming back from Tahan:

1. 19 March : KL - Merapoh : Bus (Roughly after 8pm or later)
   
2. 20 March : Merapoh - Sg Relau : Van (Very early in the morning)
3. 20 March : Sg Relau - Kuala Juram : 4x4 (After declaring our loads)
4. 26 March : Kuala Tahan - Jerantut : Bus (Probably in the afternoon)
5. 26 March : Jerantut - KL (Reach KL about 10pm)

Map up the peak

[Click to enlarge]

Map down to Kuala Tahan

[Click to enlarge]

Grouping List

Based on discussions during Nuang trek, we divide the people into 2 groups, first group is the fast mix with medium pacers, second group is the normal mix with medium pacers. You can swap with people in the other group who has common agreement on that, but let me know first ar, dun simply swap here swap there, quite head-pening one! For those who were absent during Nuang, the 2 groups will trek with different speed but still camp at the same campsite at night. Browse for your name below, have fun!

Group 1

Xin Tong
Lydia
Kar Lye
Adrian
Chin Gian
CK
Lawrence
Shih Chung
William Tee

Group 2

Shiao Chin
Lee Lee
Nisha
Zhen Ning
Su Lan
SJ
Kay Li
Ly Mun
Sam
William Chan

Gunung Nuang Trekking

Dam you have to cross.

by Wai Kong

"Gunung Nuang is the highest mountain in Selangor at 1493m. It is located a Hulu Langat. It is a good training place for trekkers and also one of the difficult mountain to trek. A normal walking pace will take 8 to 9 hours to reach the summit. Normally people will camp near Lolo or Tanah Pacat before proceed to the summit.

On a clear day, one can have a commanding view of Genting highland & Kuala Lumpur. "




For further reading:
http://www.mchwen.com/mountains/Mount%20Info/G%20Nuang/G%20Nuang.html
http://www.peakware.com/peaks.html?pk=2091
http://www.karlbum.com/archives/2005/02/the-trek-to-gunung-nuang/
http://nadiasuyat.fotopages.com/?entry=690891
http://jeremijeffrey.blogspot.com/2006/12/torture-of-gunung-nuang.html
http://georgeporky.multiply.com/photos/album/172
http://apam-balik.ded1.net/view_album.php?set_albumName=nuang
http://www.forestry.gov.my/hlsel_gngnuang.html

February and March Training Schedule

February Training Schedule:

Trekking Trip
23-24 Gunung Nuang

Jogging Sessions
16 - 8am TTDI
27 - 7pm Lake Gardens
29 - 7pm TTDI

Gathering
15 - 8pm McDonald's, KL Sentral


March Training Schedule:

Trekking Trip
01-02 Gopeng

Jogging Sessions
04 - 7pm TTDI
06 - 7pm Lake Gardens
09 - 8am Lake Gardens
12 - 7pm TTDI
15 - 8am Lake Gardens
17 - 7pm TTDI

Gunung Datuk, 27 Jan 08

Another achievement:

We took 2 hours to reach the peak of Gunung Datuk, Rembau, Negeri Sembilan on 27 January 08 in a group of 31 hikers. We nearly got our heads blown off by the wind at the peak, and that was fun! Oops, not fun if we come down headless though. Well, the participants are:

Su Lan, Xin Tong, Shiao Chin, CK, Lawrence, Chin, Lydia, Shih Chung, Chin Gian, Zhen Ning, Ly Mun, Nisha, Ze Xin, Yu Min, Kwan Lim, Justin, Lee Lee, John Wong, Chee Ler, Kar Lye, Nurul, SJ1, SJ2, Zikri, Stephenie, Sau Lai, Yeap, Siang Hui.

Thanks for coming all. Watch out for the next training after Chinese New Year!

Next destination: Gunung Ledang, Johor

Thanks to Camera Women: Shiao Chin, Kar Lye, Pei Ting

13 Jan, Lake Gardens

Gangster Group 1: Kay Li, Chin Gian, Ze Xin

Gangster Group 2: Chin, Su Lan, Lily
XT: Fight lar fight lar... *sick
Zhen Ning: Faster lar, fight anot? My hand pain ar holding camera...

Yo Yo.... Check it in, check it out...

F = ma
XT: Chin Gian, do you understand this formula?

Gossiping....

Here's another Tahan training at Lake Gardens. We gathered at 8am, with our rucksacks or bags. Most of us brought at least 6 liters of water to carry up the stairs. Actually you can bring along your dumbbell too. lol. (Chin Gian: Wei, that's my idea!)

So after some warm up exercises, we fired up our engines up the stairs like mad, again! Climbed up and went down. Then climbed up and went down again. We seriously had better performance than roller coaster. Dun play play!

Some of the uncles aunties there were curious why are we so semangat, cant help and asked :

"Training untuk apani? Mau pergi mana?"

"Tahan!" (We replied)

"Oohh.. Tahan.. I dah pergi 10 years ago."

"Wow..@_@" (Pro-nya.. aunty ni..)

After at least 10 rounds we climbed, we rested and discussed some stuff about Tahan. (XT: Who's carrying gas tong, who's bringing pillow, how to build water heater, blar blar blar.....)

We had sponsored Milo and buffet at the Park in conjunction with AmBank Family Day. Wahahah....

Those who missed it, come join us next week!
And Datuk at 27th of Jan! (Datuk: Mari bah cucu-cicit!)




By Zhen Ning