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The <strong>Sikh</strong>, July 2012<br />
Menveen (middle)<br />
and Baldev (right)<br />
crossing Sungai Putih<br />
headed to the Sg. Relau Camp-<br />
Taman Negara office. After<br />
receiving our entry permits and<br />
camera licenses, we got onto a<br />
4WDrive taking us through the<br />
hills to the foothill of Gunung<br />
Tahan at Kuala Juram. It was a<br />
30-minute bumpy ride.<br />
After a warm-up and ardaas<br />
(supplication), we began our<br />
Happy hikers Sarabjeet, Ramveer<br />
and Karamveer<br />
Jagajit, Sarabjeet and youngest hiker Ramveer at<br />
the starting point of Gunung Tahan trail.<br />
journey at 1020hrs. On this day, we<br />
crossed 4 rivers on route to our<br />
targeted campsite Camp Koh. By<br />
1530hrs we were at Camp Koh<br />
already as we made good speed.<br />
That night we had delicious-ly<br />
made ‘Mee Goreng’ by our chef,<br />
Baldev “Ferrari” Singh. Our<br />
commander of the day, Jagajit<br />
“Jaguar” Singh was very happy<br />
with our performance.<br />
The second day, we left camp at<br />
0830hrs for Camp Botak. On this<br />
day, our challenge was to walk thru<br />
muddy terrain which was deep up<br />
to our knees and also passing by<br />
swamp. As we rose higher towards<br />
the Botak Peak, we stopped at<br />
Gunung Bonzai. The air here was<br />
getting cooler and mist could be<br />
seen. At this height, there were<br />
only bonzai trees growing (no<br />
more than 3ft in height). The<br />
terrain began to get steeper and as<br />
we went, our path became like<br />
walking on giant rocks and stones.<br />
At 1830hrs, after 10 hours of<br />
hiking, we reached out destination.<br />
Well done commander of the day,<br />
Sarabjit “Rambo” Singh.<br />
On the third day, commandeered<br />
by Ishverjit “Melman” Singh, we<br />
raced to the summit of Gunung<br />
Tahan. We left Camp Botak at<br />
0945hrs and reached the peak<br />
roughly an hour later. The first<br />
trooper from our team to reach the<br />
top was our youngest hiker 14 year<br />
old Ramveer<br />
“Robin” Singh.<br />
The journey home<br />
would be 62km.<br />
That evening, we<br />
reached Gedung<br />
Peak at 1700 hrs.<br />
After a good night<br />
sleep, we left Camp<br />
Gedung at<br />
0820hours. We<br />
passed Gunung<br />
Reskit and Gunung<br />
Tangga 15 before<br />
reaching Pangkin<br />
Bawah where we stopped for<br />
lunch. This was a tough journey:<br />
descending ladders 25 feet and<br />
going up 60 feet plus. Then, we<br />
headed for Camp Teku. I was the<br />
commander of the day.<br />
After leaving Teku the next<br />
day, we had to cross the river<br />
seven times. Day commander<br />
Robin led us to Camp Putih for<br />
lunch, then on to Gunung Raja. At<br />
Raja Peak, you can make phone<br />
calls as there is reception. We put<br />
up the night at Camp Tengah.<br />
Next morning, we left Camp<br />
Tengah at 0820hrs and reached<br />
Melantai for a short rest. Here, it<br />
began raining. The already<br />
slippery and muddy terrain<br />
became even worse. At 1450hrs,<br />
our last trooper was out of the<br />
jungles. Everyone had a tired grin<br />
on their faces. The satisfaction,<br />
difficult to describe.<br />
INTERESTED TO JOIN<br />
THEM?<br />
Email Wajinder Singh at<br />
wajinder@tm.net.my<br />
or call:<br />
Baldev Singh (012.2883085)<br />
or Lakhbir Singh<br />
(016.2230630).<br />
You can also view their exploits<br />
on Youtube, search for ‘<strong>Sikh</strong><br />
Camping Troopers’<br />
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