Bukit Takun (25th March 07)

7 o’clock in the morning, I reached Foung Yee’s house at Pinggiran Batu Caves. Hai Poh, Kok Ming, Foong Kiew and Man Tack had arrived earlier. Today, we are going to climb Bukit Takun. Peng Meng and Joshua were late. By the time all of us met, had the breakfast and tried to lodge a report at Selayang police station, it’s already 9am. As Bukit Takun is located in the private area, Foung Yee told us that police report is needed to enter the place. Due to some issues, we are not able to get the police report. But we still proceed our way to Bukit Takun which is near Templer Park Golf Course to try our luck. Fortunately, the security guard at the entrance let us entered the area. So, we left our IC there and moved towards Bukit Takun.

We walked uphill, bypassed the luxurious bungalows and came to the end of the road. The journey started with 20 minutes steep jungle hike until we reached a wall. We moved towards the right side of the wall. After 10 minutes, we came to an open area and another wall which is at least 30m high. This is our starting point – climbing up this 30m high wall. Foong Kiew seems very worry when she saw the wall. This is her 1st time for rock climbing. But she was doing quite well. Hai Poh led and set up the safety precaution half way up (at the place where he can stand properly). Peng Meng was the 2nd person that climbed up. Then both of them belayed us from the top. I felt scared and clumsy when moving up. Even need Joshua and Man Tack help to push me up on the first attempt. Anyway, one by one, all of us had successfully climbed up. But we still have half way to go. So, the process repeated. Hai Poh led and made the necessary safety precaution. Finally, at around 12.50pm, all of us had reached the top of the wall.

We continue scramble over a rocky hill. All of us were amazed by the limestone pinnacles up there. The rock formation is unique and beautiful. After hiking for half an hour, we couldn’t find obvious sign of the trek. So, we stopped for snack and admired the stunning view of pinnacles. After some rest, Kok Ming wanted to continue the trek. So, all of us followed. Hai Poh, Kok Ming and Man Tack were in front searching for correct direction. The route was challenging and sometimes scary especially when scramble up the side of a cliff. But the view was getting nicer. The entire Templer Park Golf Course, Anak Takun that located in the golf course and all the luxurious bungalows can be clearly seen.

It’s already 3pm when we started to retrace our way back. Descending is not easy and we have to be very careful. It took us some time to recognize the way down through the massive limestone column. The journey ended with the exciting 30m abseiling. Around 6pm, we left Bukit Takun. We went to Kepong for dinner. It’s Joshua birthday. He treats us for the dinner. We had also bought a cake to celebrate birthday for him.

The trip to Bukit Takun is indeed challenging. If you ask me to describe my feeling, I will say scared but excited, tired but contented. :)