White Rock Mountain

White Rock Mountain...sounds like a Hollywood movie, don't you think?

It's been months and I realised missing something in my blog...the Gunung Batu Putih hike!!!

A trip with something interesting that happened in the middle of the night...muahahaha!

Merdeka - Raya long holidays was hiking & camping for us, the mountain freaks. The only time when the mountains are not congested and there's more holidays :P 8 of us plus a guide and his assistant...pix above courtesy of guide mountaineer and outdoor adventurer, Ah Thong. Row left to right...Yoro, Kenny, Soo Min, Hsing Ling, Debbie, Michelle and Lian Meng. Kenny & Debbie are our kaki panjat gunung, by default. Another is travelling overseas. don't know why or how but we just clicked when it comes to hiking and travelling.

My last hike was last year, up Gunung Irau and transverse to Gunung Kuning. Can't remember if I blogged on that...ahahha!

Hiking is more an annual event, once a year and Merdeka long holidays or Raya long holidays are reserved for it.

This mountain is only a few feet shy of the G7 group. It's 6,993ft above sea level, if I'm not mistaken. Located near Cameron Highlands actually, somewhere in Sungai or Kampung Woh area.


This time, we only had 2 or was it 3 river crossings. Reason I mentioned this was because in 2009, our hike to Gunung Yong Yap had us crossing a river...many many times! It's not because we love to cross rivers but the trail was wiped out by serious floods which totally re-routed the river flow at certain parts. As to Yong Yap, don't ask me cos I have no clue as to who or why it called that name.

Anyway, back to White Mountain. Ahh yes, this name has a valid reason. Three quarter of the way up, you'll come across a false peak and there you can see a rock face...a white rock face...not totally white but enough white to be called Batu Putih. :P

Photo on the right showed where we slept...or camped...without tents...only sleeping mat & bag. Rock overhang was huge enough for shelter and to shield us from rain. This huge rock was halfway to the peak.


And that's where something happened in the middle of the night! First night, we celebrated mooncake festival. Brought some lanterns and mooncakes. It's also when we celebrated Lian Meng's birthday. Managed to bring up 2 cans of beer solely for this! Hahaha!


Good thing about this camp site is a crystal clear stream which flows beside it. If you stand ther and take a good look, it seems like water gushing out from a rock formation. Cold and fresh! That strikes out lack of water which happens to be the biggest problems during hikes.

Ok, back to that something which happened in the middle of the night. Happened on the 2nd night. It happened around 1am+...the night was pitch black as we didn't have the luxury of moonlight up on the peak. But then again, it was new moon, so no bright moonlight la. I slept about 3metres away from the group. Why? Space constraint...flat space...My spot was higher than the rest and it's more like the edge of the semi-enclosed area. What happened was of the supernatural. Something woke me up. Felt a rush of wind passing beside me. At the same time, I heard a sound resembling someone tripping. I thought someone went for a wee-wee came back and tripped on my shoes placed beside me. But no...it was still pitch black when I opened my eyes to have a look. Nobody! Silence...Slowly the creeps set in. Straight away I prayed to Jesus for protection and strength to overcome my fear. Moments later, I turned on my headlight lamp, shone around , expecting to be scared shitless with what I see but....nothing...my shoes were untouched. Everyone was fast asleep. No animals either. So what was it? You tell me...

1 2 3...Boleh?

Last Friday afternoon, I was rushing to clear some work and banking chores. I could have used the fast flowing highway like I always do but ended up winding through LDP, SS2, Sect14, PJ State. Ironic isn't it? I have no idea why I did that then...
Stuck in traffic lights, I was scolding myself for being a dumbo!

Radio channel tuned to BFM...Business FM...and through that jam, an interview came on air. Usually BFM have corporate or financial experts in their show but that afternoon, it was different. The radio host interviewed a few children from Myanmar with the oldest being 15years...

Being Christians and of the Chin clan, their father a Pastor, they came to Malaysia as refugees to stay alive. In their homeland, their lives were threatened. Although they converse slowly, they were fluent in English! 1 The oldest attends school in the morning, works part time in the afternoon and study at night. He did say it's tiring. No doubt about that being so hard working. 2
His ambition? A doctor. Where? Back in Myanmar to help the people. 3

1 2 3...English...hard working...help

We need that 1 2 3 in bolehland.

Boleh?

Trail shoes

New Balance 840 - my first trail running shoes. Maybe I should say imported trail running shoes as "kampung adidas" was my gear during Gunung Datuk race. :P

Believe it or not, this model I bought is in fact designed for women. Yes! Women...not men! Got it in Singapore in 2009 during the Singapore Marathon Expo. How Much? SGD50!!! Yes, only RM125 going by the present exchange rate. There's no way we can get it at that price in bolehland. Boleh? Tak boleh! Sad!
Anyway, back to the shoe... I felt very comfortable wearing them. Hmm...does that mean I have feminine shaped feet? Argh!! No!!!!! But then again, my feet are sexy aren't they? Hahahahah!

Ok, back to serious matters...
The heel to toe drop is minimal, giving more stability to the already low heel. It actually felt like road racers. Don't know the exact weight but to me, it's quite light comparing to other trail running shoes.
The mini studs provide excellent grip on rocks. Made of sticky rubber. Good for descending slopes. A good pick for dry trail but for muddy trails, you will be looking at weight training for your legs! Extra 1kg due to mud sticking to the soles. Well, it's a trade off for the excellent grip.



Adidas Kanadia TR3
The profile resemble NB840, only that the heel commands higher ground...slightly. I was looking at an orange coloured pair but stocks ran out. At that time, it was having a 30% discount on retail price of RM260. I hesitated at first but after surveying other brands around that price range, this is the best bet. But, stocks ran out and yellow ones had no discount. Darn! 2 weeks after that, God heard my cries. The yellow ones went on sale! Yup! 30% discount as well. Happy to get it under RM200. In fact, I've not bought running shoes above RM200...so far...except bike clip on shoes which puched me out for RM499!

Anyway, this pair of Adidas has aggressive looking mini sole studs. Wearing it makes you feel like Bumblebee Mustang. Hahaha!
So far, I've only tried it out once in Gasing trails and a recce for Salomon X-Trail Run. Good support, flexible mid & fore front, excellent rock grip but just like, NB840, muddy trail means extra weight.

It'll be my gear for the big one, The Most Beautiful Thing, a 50km trail run in Sabah.

An old Cherokee story

A friend sent the following story.

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on in every person. He said, "My son, the battle is between two 'wolves'. One is evil -- it is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good -- it is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grand son thought for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."


Phillipians 4:8-9 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

From road to trail

Merdeka day has passed. Fasting month & Hari Raya have passed. Holidays have passed...boo hoo hoo...but the sports events are coming back...a lot of them! Yahoo!

This coming Sunday, it's Salomon Trail Run at UPM grounds.
Invited by Pacesetters to recce the running route last Saturday. The trail is not so much of a trail which we are familiar with...jungle, mud, stream, hill, roots, trunks, branches, etc.

It will be like home for Kenyans as the route is in fact dirt road (red earth). A couple of small gentle slopes and the rest are flats. The run will be passing through spectators...cows, sheep, horses! Most probably disturbing their morning sleep!

Tried out my new trail running shoes, Adidas Kanadia TR 3. Black & yellow...nice colours to match my yellow Adidas jersey! The shoes, well cushioned, will be just right for long trail distances. The sole is yellow polka dot, black base with yellow mini studs providing strong grips on trails.My Adidas Kanadia beside cow dung or was it from sheep? Those natural fertilisers are the only "obstacles" for the run.

This year my runs are shifting into the jungle. Have been doing more trail runs the past few months.

Why is that?

Well, doing something different. Exploring a new horizon. The triathlons are still around but my biggest event for this year will be 50km trail run in Sabah this coming 5th Nov.

The Most Beautiful Thing. Looking forward for this!

Hmm...looks like everything is moving towards Sabah...workwise, HQ is in Sabah...and now the ultra trail run. It'll be my maiden try in ultra distances. There is the 100km but not yet. I'm not there...yet. Start with a 50 and gradually move on from there...hehehe!

In May, I DNF (did not finish) Tioman Eco Challenge, the 30km extreme tough trail...not run, but walk & climb in the jungle! I covered 20km+ together with Michelle but we failed the cut-off time. So in Nov, it's 50km for both of us, yes!