Gunung Stong trekking log Description of group We are a group of 13 average trekkers. (Gone on at least 2 treks before) Summary of activities 14 th May 2002: Depart on overnite train from JB to Dabong (about 10 hrs) 15 th May 2002: Arrival at Dabong Dark Tunnelling and Limestone Cave exploration (about 2 hr 30 mins) Trek to Baha Jelawang Campsite (about 1 hr 40 mins) 16 th May 2002: Trek to G. Baha (about 6 hrs) Trek to G. Ayam ( another 1 hr 30 mins) Overnite at G. Ayam 17 th May 2002: Descend to Baha Jelawang Campsite (about 6 hrs 40 mins) Descend to Stong Resort (about 1 hr 15 mins) Overnite train from Dabong to JB 18 th May 2002: Arrival at JB Return to Singapore
15 th May 2002 Reach JB train station 2133 H Better to reach at least 30 min earlier. ETD 2145 H Reach Dabong train station 0754 ETA 0722 H Breakfast at foodstall beside station. As we forgot to bring oil, we managed to buy some oil from the foodstall auntie Ready to set off for caves. Then suddenly a few 0846 H of us rushed to buy authentic stong trekking shoes and we took our time to wear shoes. Deposit bag at storeroom by the station 0853 H Took us by surprise! Start walking. Yeah! 0856 H Relax trek? Walk across rail tracks to take a van 0857 H Really relax trek? Reach caves ( Dark tunnel ) 0902 H Hmm somehow all of us forgot to bring torches to dark tunnels We had to wait for 2 nd van trip Van back for 2 nd round Walk down path to dark tunnel 0910 H Quite vegetated, maybe should wear long socks Reach entrance of dark tunnel 0919 H Well!...we realized that we should bring torches Out of Dark Tunnel caving 0943 H Guide says usually take 5 min with torches. Had to squeeze from a small opening. Leopard crawl required. On our way to limestone caves Trek upslope till open area under cave 0946 H Reach limestone cave 0957 H Surreal experience Reach a big cave! 1005 H A few of us start to form images of skulls and figures from the stone formation. Interesting We entered a small cave opening to reach another cave called Cage Cave (Pagar Cave). Here is where we saw the spider door 1036 H Well might be better with torches. Back on the main road 1048 H Down road to Gua Ikan 1049 H Big Sign by road Reach nice water pool under Big stone 1052 H So far, still very relax Wash up Take van in 2 trips back train station Reach back train station 1116 H Refer to budget for costs
Relax and lunch at foodstall Move out finally! 1300 H Walk along straight main road from station Turn left on Jalan Penjabat 1304 H Turn right on Jalan Penanbang 1306 H Reach jetty 1309 H Sampan shuttle to other side of river Sampan boat arrive 1311 H We took a picture here Reach other side of river 1323 H Pay only on the return trip. We took air-con bus to Stong resort 1342 H Air-con spoil, super hot Flight of steps through Stong resort Sweat! Reach starting point of trek by side of waterfall 1348 H Warm-up and ready START! 1357 H Steep upslope at start Reach first waterfall. First rest stop 1410 H Swimming time for xuanhao and eric Leave first waterfall 1427 H 2 nd rest stop (checkpoint: Flat rock) 1454 H All the way steep slope 1500 H Still steep slope all the way End of slope 1509 H 3 rd rest stop 1520 H 1526 H Reach Top of waterfall signboard 1535 H Start raining.:( Baha Jelawang Campsite! (450m) 1540 H Happy for first day
16 th May 2003 Start trek in morning 1024 H Well.steep slope all the way again Yizheng scratched by thorns 1043 H 8 scratches Reach Sungei Rantai (chain) 1108 H Have to climb up a steep part using a metal chain 1 st Rest stop at sungei Rantai 1120 H Reach a nice open patch. 2 nd rest stop 1153 H Guide says 20 mins more to lunch point 1202 H Lunch point 1251 H Nice spot by a nice flowing waterfall section 1324 H 3 rd rest stop 1415 H 1426 H 4 th rest stop 1545 H Reach Gunung Baha Summit (1309m) 1615 H 1637 H Last water point 1645 H Slow flowing stream 1720 H SUMMIT of Gunung AYAM (1504m) 1740 H Took group picture at the signboard of G. Ayam. But realized that campsite is still a distance away. Campsite 1749 H
17 th May 2003 Start trek down 0857 H Water point to refill a few bottles 0927 H Gunung Baha summit 0946 H 1 st Rest point 1123 H Lunch point at river (as previous day) 1230 H 1303 H 2 nd Rest point 1400 H 1402 H Reach Sungei Rantai 1437 H 3 rd Rest point at Sungei Rantai 1445 H Reach Top of the waterfall Signboard 1539 H Baha Jelawang Camp 1540 H Rest and had a mini afternoon meal again 1642 H END!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1808 H We took quite long for this last part because of heavy rain the nites before and thus had to overcome slippery and muddy slopes. Had a good washup at the Stong resort and the bus was waiting for us for the ride back! Not bad. 4 shower cubicles for all to share.