Puncak Minduk Sirung, Gunung Alab, Banjaran Crocker, Tambunan Sabah

Our trip to Minduk Sirung was plan after climbing Mount Wakid back in June 2016. Minduk Sirung Peak is located in Tambunan, roughly 70km from Kota Kinabalu Sabah. The journey will start at Sub Stesen Gunung Alab and end at Mahua Waterfall Tambunan. When we climbed Mount Wakid Tambunan, my stamina was so low it that the pain after the climb was excruciating. Yet it just made me even more than determined to conquer the next mountain. So Puncak Minduk Sirung was attempted a month plus after Mount Wakid. The preparation me and my sister did? At least once a week hiking up a local hill..and I’m proud to say that the difference was huge and the pain was not that extreme this time around. Yippiee..

The hiking trip to Minduk Sirung Peak was done with a group of 12 friends in early August 2016, some we just meet..friends of friends..etc.. all amateurs in the world of hiking arm with just positivity and good spirit. Ceh wah.. We divided the cars into 2 group, 1^st group park theirs in Mahua Waterfall station and the others in Sub Stesen Gunung Alab. So basically 3 cars went up to Mahua and 1 car goes down to Alab again with all the drivers to join us in Sub Stesen Gunung Alab Parking. If this seems tedious for you, you can also call the sub station Gunung Alab office to help with your car arrangement but I think there is an extra fee for that. We had our breakfast at Gunung Alab rest stop and tapau lunch there as well before heading to Sub Stesen Gunung Alab located 1-2km from Gunung Alab rest stop. The road was quite narrow, suitable for just 1 car to pass through each time. I had a peek on where our starting point would be while driving. We paid our fees at the office, its quite affordable as a group of 12person..we each had to forked out RM77 per person..The breakdown costing consist of for hiking permit (RM30), 3 guides (RM80 1-5person) and insurance (RM3.50/day) for 2 days. The potter service is RM8/kg. Some of us used the porter service for just the first day to carry our tent but we carried it on our own the next day. The logic here is that we would have finish up half of our water supply and food so the weight we had to carry the next day would have been reduced. Oh yeah this is a 2 days 1 night trip and we prepared our own meal to save money. If anyone intend to do a day hike can reduce the cost tremendously but you have to get there really early to start hiking. Before starting our journey, we were given a prep talk which I kinda block most of it out because sorry to say, the guides wasn’t that optimistic about our stamina..stressing over and over again how many people give up at km3.5 and walk back to the station (what the heck..maybe it was because of our leech socks or the amount of wefie/selfie we were taking ..sigh). This made me appreciated the guides in Mount Wakid who gave motivations to us prior to our climb instead of stressing on how hard the trail would be and that many people have fail even before reaching the 3.5km site..I guess their intention was good but come on..ooze a little more positivity in the world =) 

We look like children wearing leech socks being scold

The mission..why so serious

So our group started the journey with self-doubt and even more self-doubt creep in when we were out of breath by the 250meter mark. But after resting a bit to regroup, I think it gave our body enough time to acclimatize to the surrounding and to wake our muscles up..because after that I found it much bearable. 

The first 250 meter was a lot of stairs

We arrive at the 3.5km hut in around 3hours plus at about 2.30pm and ate our lunch.. I just had to mention that nobody at this point even seem like giving up. Everyone was in good spirit while waiting for the rest of the group members to arrive. The guide leading us upfront was kind enough to boil us water and we rest and went for toilet breaks. The two other guide was accompanying one of our member in the back..The guide suggest we camp there for the night since the facility there is much more complete that the 6.0km camp site. But votes were cast and the guys learn to not argue with the girls in the middle of the woods. They turn their votes in accordance with us when our mouth (mine especially) starts dishing out logical facts. But truth be told, us girls paid for our tent to be carried only on the first day, so settling at just 3.5km out of 12km on the first day would mean that we would be breaking our backbones the next day. Besides, it was too early to settle there in the late afternoon when we still have the energy to get to the next camp site. So, we proceeded to 6.0km camp site once everyone arrived which is roughly 4.00pm and got there in less than 2 hours because the trail was really nice..reminded me of the tracks in Taman Perdana Tanjung Aru where it feels like you are stepping on cushion..and the scenery was breathtaking as well..you feel just like being in a Lord of the Ring scenes..waiting for hobbits to pass infront of you..

Anyway, they weren’t kidding when the say the facility in 6.0km site was not maintained well. The last time a group camp there was last year. So we had the privilege (I think) to officiate the camping ground this year. A member of our group, Mr.J (not his real name) let our his parang skill by clearing the camping ground for us while we work together to get our individual tents up. Its funny how different setting up tents when its dark..lots of confusion and laughter and people asking for lights. After spraying our tents with bygon spray.. we ladies settled ourselves in our tents..I was just about to arrange my stuff when I notice some dirt and weird looking twigs on my tent floor. Not suspecting anything, I just pinch the stuff out one by one..then one of it was squishy and had the form of a giuk (small worm). Bear in mind, I have never seen a pacat (leech) and I took extra precaution with the expensive leech sock, bygon spray and tembakau (yes I am aware how overboard I was)..I yell to my sister’s tent beside me..”Pacat licak macam giuk ka?” to which she answered “yes..” Then another member of the group Mr. M (not his real name) announced that 2 leeches have just began to make their way up his leg. That was it.period..no leeches was going to feed on me.The siren in my head went off and I went into panic mode by spraying the bygon spray everywhere in my tent while being inside of my tenth. I admit that I almost choked to death but there was no leeches and I was happy. We girls locked ourselves in our tents early due to leeches frenzy..

The things you would not know until you camp in the forest..The wind makes very terrifying noises and it keeps you awake..sleeping on fallen shrubs is not fun..the regret of leaving the hot packs behind because they weight an extra 100g would also haunt you when your shivering in your sleeping bag. But saying that, waking up in the forest early morning is absolutely breathtaking and the rustling noises of tree branches are mesmerizing. I could have sit there for hours but then we saw some tiny frogs which launch us into amateur top model photographer mode. 

Mini frog

Aerial view of our photoshoot

Oh we were able to explore our camp site in the morning. The toilet there has no water source nearby and they haven't instal a proper water pipe. But we were told that a renovation was due in the near future to upgrade the facility there. Anyway, it was an authentic experience to get your water from the gravity water nearby using a leaf.. If you have some business to deal with in the toilet, you can just collect the water in a bottle for use. Me? I' ll hold it in till I get home.

Colorful tents just make the scenery so fun

The toilet that I tried to stay away from

This is how we collected water to cook breakfast

After taking our simple breakfast..maggi..nescafe 3 in 1..biscuits, we made our journey to the top of Puncak Minduk Sirung located roughly 250meter from our camp site. I am absolutely please with the outcome of this arrangement because we were able to take our pictures with fresh faces and as a group. Sometimes when hiking in a bigger group, we tend to get separated along the way according to one’s stamina. So since its early in the morning, at least we were able to get a group photo at the peak! 

All of us made it!

After taking some pictures, it was time to cover the remaining 6km trail to Mahua Waterfall.. Actually, it was a really cold morning but after trekking for some time I had to take off my jackets because of my body heat. The trail for 6km after the peak consist mostly of slopes with ropes and more ropes which means that gloves will make your life easier. We bought garden gloves and its works just fine. 

Ropes and ropes..

Breathtaking trees..

You would also get to see trees with orange color trunk and some of the spots we passed through was really breathtakingly beautiful. Near km11.5 were the old giant trees, they were really really huge..By 11.5km mark, I could hear the sound of Mahua waterfalls but it seems forever to get there..When we finally arrived, some people who were coincidentally just walking by..look on curiously. A friend of mine even got stop by a guy asking if she really did just hike 12km..the nerve..But it was a truly enjoyable hiking trip. I would recommend any nature lover to give it a try..It does require some physical stamina but if you are strong will equip with livita or red bull or any energy drink nothing is impossible.

Mount Wakid, Tambunan Sabah

Mount Wakid, Tambunan, Sabah is a 13km hike and situated 1353 meter above sea level, it is a fairly new hiking destination right now..I myself heard about it from a friend who just returned from hiking there describing how challenging and rewarding the trip was for her and I was hooked. She forwarded me details in whatsapp form.It was an all inclusive package including guide fee, food and certificate at just rm80/person. (Those interested to hike Mount Wakid can just go to their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/gunungwakid/) I forwarded it to my group of colleagues and friends and the rest is history. We pick a date together and I arrange the rest by contacting the number in the whatsapp message and arranging our stay in Tambunan Village Resort Centre (TVRC). Fortunately the date we pick have already been book by another group of people so were able to combine with them to get the minimum pax needed. We had around 2 weeks to get fit..no idea why we were so optimistic about it..

We pick 25 June 2016, a Saturday to climb but we took half day off on Friday to make our way up to Tambunan and stayed at TVRC. The plan was to conserve energy by getting enough sleep. By being there in Tambunan early, we can take our sweet time to get to the meeting point in SK Sunsuron by 7.30am. Once we arrived, we can see that a few cars have park around the school field. There were villagers selling simple breakfast in the school area. But we already had our breakfast before coming there so some of us bought the food for lunch. Once our attendance were taken, we sat or stand in a group and the briefing was given by Mr. Jingkung himself who paved the way of Jingkung trail, a new summit said to be much longer and challenging  than the original trail.. He gave a very motivational and sincere speech about hiking mountains. My sister was especially touched by his words that it wasn’t how fast you get there, it’s the journey. Infact, that metaphor can be applied not just in hiking but in real life as well.

After that, we started the hike, only a few meters ahead, I saw my first obstacle in the form of a river. Apparently, we were supposed to be like Mario brothers jumping from one rock to another to get to the other side. I was no Mario and I did not want to even jump at first..But after seeing my sister successfully jump her way through, I jump for my life and there begins my jumping tale. It seems climbing Mount Wakid involves a lot..and I mean a lot of river crossing..at first we were still playing the jumping game but at one point, I was playing kick the river game. I just don’t care if my shoes were dry or wet anymore.

Now, when we arrive at our first rest stop, my friend said that her shoes sole were cracking..it was then that I check mine..damn.. mine had a straight line crack in the middle..my shoes was just a few years old. I had it and I’ll shamefully admit that I seldom used them until recently..when I started to join 2 marathons this year plus the hill climbing activities. I knew they look suspiciously worn out but I thought just one more climb..one more adventure..well that was stupid of me. So I silently prayed..please..please..break apart once I finish my climb..hold it together until the end of this climb. But as we hike along, I could feel pieces by pieces of the soles just teared away. In the end, near Jinkung trail I had to inform one of the guide that my shoes sole is falling apart..When he had a look, he said that they can tied my shoes to my feet using a rope..well, I thought whatever works.. But just as he walkie talkie with his buddy to get some ropes down, one of my friend said he had an extra pair of shoes in his bag..and lo and behold, it fitted me. So I was able to continue my climb without worrying about my shoes.

RIP shoes

 So Thank you God..woo hoo.. But then Jingkung trail is right in front and as we started to make our way up..I began to get flashes of regret..why am I doing this..why am I here.. my sister is making sure that I know exactly how she feels at that time by stressing the fact that I am not her favorite person at that moment. I even had to stop because of muscle strain in my arm, which the guide help by giving me some muscle cramp cream to massage my arm. Needless to say, the guides for Mount Wakid were extremely helpful and great, making sure that everyone is taken care off. Mount Wakid was physically demanding for me especially Jinkung trail but afterwards we were all smiles at the top.

The last obstacle after Jingkung Trail

After a light lunch, we continued on to the next peak which used to be the peak for station of the cross for the locals there. I have massive respect the villagers who used to have to climb the mountain there to celebrate the station of the cross..hats off to you guys. 

From this peak to the waterfall, it was quite steep and a few of us just went down slowly half crawling. The guide unsuccessfully tried to get us to stand up but we were determined to get down on all fours, half crawling, half grabbing roots and branches nearby to stop us from falling to our death.

 

Steep trail heading downwards

  The trail towards the waterfall was itself very steep but the water was so cold and refreshing, it made me forget about my aching legs for a while. When my sister finally arrived, she tried to drown me near the waterfall but I escape while she was shocked by the freezing water. I presented her with food as sign of peace offering and we rest a bit before our small group make our way to the finishing point..

Me and my sis

We arrived at the finishing point around 4.00pm where we change our clothes at the school toilet. The food included in the package was prepared in a nearby homestay. All of us enjoyed the home cook meal especially after the long hike. Then we got our certificates for climbing Mount Wakid from the guides. Once the tiredness wore off, the satisfaction and excitement of completing the journey kicks in. We enjoy our trip so much that we extended our stay in Tambunan to visit Mahua waterfall the next day!

Mahua Waterfall, Tambunan

Lugas Hill, Tambunan Sabah (Bukit Lugas)

Lugas Hill in Tambunan has caught my attention the other day, its unique features different from other hills have entice me to try and find it. My siblings and I were attending our cousin’s wedding in Tambunan in Mid July 2016 and early the next morning we went in search of this mysterious hill. Coincidentally, it was my young sis’s birthday so I suggest a celebration on a hill..which she was not so keen about *smug face* Back then , Lugas hill was not yet that famous, after going through facebook I was able to get a vague direction for the hill.. Someone in facebook was kind enough to upload a picture of the starting trail beside the roadside. So we just drove towards Apin-apin Keningau from Tambunan town until we found Kg Kitou using Waze, just after Kg. Kitou we scout a trail up-hill looking very similar to the facebook post I saw. Mind you the hill wasn’t that famous at that time..there were no cars parking beside the road and I wasn’t sure if we found it or was trespassing a stranger property. But we decided to just hike the trail and apologize to any villagers we’ll meet along the way if it was the wrong hill.  Well, we did bump into someone up the trail with a dog..the dog was barking madly but the guy just smiled. I asked if this was the infamous hill and he told me that it was but we had already passed the trail towards the famous peak. He mentioned that he made a signage with water bottles so we thanked him and head towards the real trail.

The hike up was not that far, roughly 15-20mins or so..But the morning cold air was like a slap to the face. When we finally reach the first peak..we can already see the breathtaking view and the mind blowing steepness of the peaks. At one point from peak 2 to peak 3, it seems that only one person can make their way to the next peak. My big sis would not budge from the first peak so only 3 of us daredevils continued to peak no.2. By this time we saw a group of 4 girls has just arrived. From afar I can clearly see that they were themselves thinking of crossing the peak. When we finally got to peak 3 which was the goal, we saw 2 of the girls made their way across. We took a lot of photos while waiting for them to get to Peak 3. Once they arrived, friendly chatters were exchanged before we make our way back..It seems that 2 of their team mates would not budged from the first peak as well so at least my big sis have some company while we took our sweet time. But I could feel invisible daggers from afar aimed at myself so we hurried back to a not-so-happy sister. I announced a hearty breakfast in Tambunan town as peace offering and all was forgiven..