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Sungai Liang #3
20 Jan 2007
2007's maiden event
With almost everyone preety tied up since late last year, the group didn't really start on any xtvt after the new year. In fact, the recent long school break only saw one outing made by the team ~ the Kuala Medang trip. During that outing, Romeo couldn't make it at the last minute after he, as our team's primary trip organizer, had to pull-out to attend to family matters. It was supposed to be that our maiden outing for 2007 was to take place on 13th/14th Jan (and again joining the same group as we did on the Kuala Medang excursion) to Gunung Ais. However that didn't take place for reasons I myself am not too sure. But Romeo quickly suggested that we make a trip the following week to Sungai Chalit/Lata Berembun.
After numerous sms and phone discussions, we were set to go - but without Alpha as he has a work-related activity in Kuantanover the weekend. And of course Zulu Yankee was still in Baitullah scheduled to be back at the end of the month. As for November Hotel, we are not sure of his activeness status in the group ~ his last participation was on the 3rd Lepar trip sometimes back in April 2006 (and that was organized by him!)....ah well...........
So there we were, three cars all good to go. The original contention by Romeo was to make a 3d2n trip (19th-21st Jan), but (as almost as usual) Whiskey could only make it a 2d2n as he'll be in Kota Kinabalu on Friday the 19th. That was fine, and we were set to rv in Bentong at 0900hrs on Saturday morning.
Saturday morning came, I was awoken by Azilan at 0620hrs. By 0700hrs, we were ready to set out from my Shah Alam home. My two co-pilots ~ May & first-timer nephew of mine Faiz ~ were much excited. However, as we were on our way, whiskey called informing that his car was having carburettor problem. So, instead of proceeding to Gombak toll, I made a detour to Whiskey's house to see what the problem was. And sure enuff, his mechanic brother was finishing up of repairs on the carbs. By 0900hrs, it was done, and I sent the three co-pilots ~ Azilan, May & Faiz ~ in my car to go first while I took a ride in Whiskey's trooper.
Faiz & May posing for the album
Whiskey made a slight detour to pick up his co-pilot Fauzi and Dollah at his Taman Melawati office..... where his car refused to start after it's engine suddenly ceased at the car park. Well, Whiskey called his regular mechie (Ah Guan) who came some time later (giving us time to brunch!) and with a bit of tinkering on the carbs, we were off again at noon! So much for an early morning plan!
Arriving at the surau in Naza's Plantation, the last civilization before we hit the jungle of Sugai Liang, we performed our solat and by 1400hrs, we were off into yet another try at the hardcore track of Sg Liang. Azilan took to Romeo's car as he was without his normal co-pilot son Afif.....
So there we were again, crosing the prohibited signage into the forest reserve into yet another adventure...
And not far into the track, we were greeted with this fallen tree obstacle. Romeo had anticipated this kind of hurdles and that was why he never leave without his trusted chainsaw.
Well, we had earlier tried to find a bypass route to save time on cutting this hurdle down. But it was meant to be (that we clear the roadway).
...and we took turns at the chainsaw..
..and helping to move the logs....
..... we were greeted by this centipede which was merely at inches from May's hand when he grab hold of the trunk...
Well... we continue to work it......
.... while the rest watched or rested from the hard work earlier...
However, It should be mentioned that in the course of removing the tree, Romeo's winch was damaged when I (yes, moa... Bravo) was operating it to pull the log away after it was cut half way. And also, it should be mentioned that Whiskey's winch finished the job after Romeo's winch broke down. errr... should I also mention that Romeo was 'frustrated' and was uttering "you all go ahead, I turn back since its useless I continue without my winch!"? Guess I should not as Romeo did continue.... hehehehehe...
It was a relief for all of us - amidst the rain and the road clearing - although we were a bit tired from that first adventure. But as Romeo was slowly regaining his spirit back, he received another set back on this trip. At this obstacle, his front wheel drive gave way - rendering his 4X4 handicap. Without four wheel drive, and a winch, the trail would be almost impossible to tame for any vehicle! However, with vote of assurancse from me and Whiskey, Romeo pushed on... with Whiskey's pulling him on the uphill drive.
When we finally arrived at our previous campsite location, it was already 1700hrs. All were exhausted and a wee bit hungry. Luckily Romeo (as always) brought pre-cooked rice and fried eggs ~ and that was our lunch for the day!
Then, the most important decision of the day - "do we camp here or do we push on? Or do we go back?"
Well we were all geared up for a 2d1n deal. I for one was all pschyed for a one night camp out. But when Whiskey suggested that we call it a day, it sounded like a good idea for three reasons: one, Romeo's rig was errr... screwed (for lack of a better word!); two, the river was utterly muddy from the heavy rains in the past weeks plus it's so rapid; and thirdly, the ground was wet with lots of critters, leeches especially. But, having set to spend the night, we agreed to push on to the next river/stream and if the water was clear, we'd camp. Otherwise, its an about turn....
So, we pushed on- and with an uphill climb, Whiskey practically towed Romeo's rig all the way to this river crossing. Well, the water was not as clear as we hoped to be. And there were no reasonable clearing around the area for us to set up tents..... so, uninamously we decided to make an about turn... a decision that we do not normally make on a hardcore trail....hmmmmmm...
This is Dollah, showing off his muscles....
Well, it was not over yet with trouble for Romeo. As we were leaving this estate and reaching the main road, Romeo's suzuki faced yet another problem. This third 'gremlin' was in the form of his rear tyres/axle came loose from its bracket causing the tyre to scrape againts its mudguard/body. After a quick troubleshoot (Whiskey winched it back into position, and Romeo tied wire-rope to keep it in place), we were off again. Our last pit stop was for dinner in Raub (Romeo's treat) at around 10:00pm. The we headed our own way back, with me reaching home (much to the wife's surprise!) just before midnite....
Well, from my speedometer, we only manage to go into about 5km of harcore trails from the surau. And the distance from the main road to that surau (of light core trail) was about 10km..... But it took us 6 hours to cover the hardcore trails (return trip) while in less an hour were out into the tarmac from the surau.
a 'National Geographic' moment... centipede eating a leech.... note: different centipde from the first picture.
: go back to HOME of gugujah :
by: bravo lima, 21 Jan 2006
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