Gunung Angsi, a challenge.

How to get there.

Gunung Angsi is located within the Ulu Bendol forest in the district of Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan. If you are coming from JB or Singapore, use the NS highway. Exit at Senawang toll. Head toward the direction of Kuala Pilah and Ulu Bendol until you arrive at a very winding road that reminds you of the road leading toward Frazier Hill. You should be able to see the "Hutan Lipur Hulu Bendol" signs all along the way. Once you enter the recreational park, follow the sign to the forestry office. There you are required to register your name for a trekking permit. The permit cost RM5.00 per person. Once you have descended from the summit, it is advisable to inform the forestry officer of your safe descends. Parking facility is available. So are the many stalls selling drinks and food.

The trail and the peak.

Measuring 825 m above sea level it is slightly lower than the neighbouring Gunung Datuk of 870 m. However, don't be fool by this lower height as it would probably take you about 2 1/2 more time to summit Gunung Angsi then to summit Gunung Datuk. Gunung Angsi is a very challenging trek that requires lot of stamina and endurance. Even before actual climbing start, you would have exhausted yourself with a very long walk passing through the camp site , streams and a crusher road. The trail starts immediately after the forestry office. Here you have to be very careful or you may end up following a trail leading toward the main road instead. Following a trail after the gate and keep your eyes on your left where you will arrive at a stream (Batang Terachi river). Wade across the stream or alternatively using the boulders on the stream as stepping stones. Once across you just have to follow the water pipes. The trail is quite clear until you reached a public toilet with a stream on the right hand side. Cross the stream. Do not follow an unclear trail on the left. After crossing the stream, you will reach a t junction (crusher rd). Turn left at the t junction until you reach a clearing. Follow a narrow trail slightly on your left side. From here the funs begin. You will be facing many uphill treks including one that require the help of ropes. You will have to climb two very tough and very steep trek before you can reach the peak.

If you are a fit trekker, you should take about two and a half hours to summit the peak. The view at the peak is a bit disappointing as it is surrounded by tress. Perching yourself at edge of the peak may offer a better view.

It would require, depending on your fitness, anywhere between four and half hours to six hours to ascend and descend the peak. My ascend and descend took four and a half hours. As it is a long trek, it is advisable to bring along at least one litre of water and some light snacks to include fruit, snack bars and perhaps even a sandwich. Remember to retain more than half of your water ration for your descend. Descending may be easier but normally for a long trek you tend to be more dehydrated on your way down than up. A dry t shirt to change before descending will be welcoming to your wet body. And finally trekkers, like they said " leave noting behind except your foot prints and take noting back except memories and photos".

Contact

Puan Maimum

Forestry Dept. at Kuala Pilah

Tel: 606-481 1036

or

Encik Roslan

Tel: 013-3749933.

Easy climb Gunung Datuk / Gunung Dato

How to get there.
Gunung Dato located is in the state of Negeri Sembilan. If you are travelling from South, take the NS highway. Exit at the Alor Gajah toll. At the roundabout, turn 2 0'clock and proceed toward Rembau. At the T junction turns left. After a short distance you will be directed to turn right. You should see adequate signs directing you from Alor Gajah exit to the Forestry office from where the ascend to Gunung Dato start. Register yourself at the forestry office (a trekking permit fee of RM3.00 per person) and then proceed to enjoy your ascend.

The trek.
At 870 m, you would probably think that Gunung Dato will be a challenging trek. On the contrary, summiting Gunung Dato is actually quite easy. If you are a fit trekker, you should be able to summit the peak within one hour or one and half hour the most. I myself have reached the peak within one hour. The climb is quite a straight forward up trail that does not involve much side track walking. The path leading up to the peak is very clear and no trekker, however new you are, will get lost. So no guide is needed.

Things need to bring up .
As it is quite a short climb, all you need to bring along up with you are:-

1. About 750 ml of water. There is also a water source (from fresh water stream)about ten minutes from the peak.

2. Perhaps an apple or banana and a snack bar for energy.
3. A dry t shirt to change before your descend will be nice.

The summit.
The view at the summit is one of the best I have seen. Once you reach the top, on your left you will see giant boulders with metal ladders leading up to the summit. If you are brave enough to climb up these metal ladders, you will be rewarded with magnificent view of Seremban town. The summit however can only accommodate perhaps about seven to eight persons. So if you are trekking up with a big group, you may need to take turn at the summit.

I strongly recommend Gunung Dato to all new mountain trekkers. It is one Gunung that even as a first timer, you should have little difficulty summiting the peak. And what serve as better encouragement for one than a successful summit to try other mountains.

Person to contact.
If you need additional information on Gunung Dato , you can contact:-

Encik Abd Rahman Bin Hj Idris
Taman Rekreasi Gunung Datuk
Kampung Batang Nyamor
Rembau, Negeri Sembilan
Tel: 013-2364443.