PINE TREE HILL AND TWIN PEAK DAYPACK HIKING

From 6th-8th August 2010,the Underestimate team went to Fraser Hill for a hiking trip at Pine Tree Hill and Twin Peak. This is the last Underestimate activity before Ramadhan I guess. At first, 30 people agreed to go but eventually only 20 people turned up. Together in this group were SRM Melaka (+Cyberjaya) group who joined us for their unusual concept of Induction Camp, team from MMU Cyberjaya and three from KL.

The journey started at about 10.00pm from MMU Melaka. But, we stopped at MMU Cyberjaya to fetch two SRM members. After that we headed straight to R&R Sg. Buloh where we agreed to meet and take a rest for that night. I got some uncomfortable sleep for about 2 hours inside the van while some of us didn't sleep at all.



Our planning was to wake up at 4.30 am and head to Kuala Kubu Baru for Subuh prayer and breakfast. It was raining that morning in KKB and after Subuh we went for some breakfast at KKB. I couldn't really estimate the time to reach Fraser Hill Entrance at Gap from KKB since the last time I went to Fraser Hill was way back in 2003. We need to reach The Fraser Hill gate latest by 7.40 am since the gate is opened for uphill traffic during odd hours starting 7.00am-7.40am and for downhill traffic during even hours. We planned to start hiking at 8.00am. However, we'd only finished our breakfast at about 7.15am and I really doubt that we could reach the gate before 7.40am. Anyway, we reached the gate just few minutes before 8.00am. So we had to wait for 9.00am uphill traffic and plan to start hiking at 10.00am.

Waiting and taking rest before the gate to Fraser Hill is reopened

However, something unpredictable happened when one of the car driven by Azmir broke down on the way up. Various efforts were done to fix the car but none was successful. So, I decided to go up to Fraser Hill to find help. I asked at the police station whether there is any workshop or mechanic at Fraser Hill but unfortunately they said none. Usually, breakdown cars were towed by a "tow truck" from Raub which costs RM450. However, the policewoman said that she knew somebody who is not a mechanic but know a little bit about repairing a car. She showed the house and the person was still enjoying his sleep when we knocked the door. Luckily, he is kind enough to help us together with his friend. Thank you Brother Lah and brother Shafiee.

Unauthorized mechanics trying to fix the car

Luckily, they managed to fix the car. So, we moved straight to Fraser Hill. We changed our planning. We are not going for hiking that day since it's already too late. Instead, we had a tour around Fraser Hill before checking in at Sri Peninjau. We will start hiking the next day early in the morning.

The landmark of Fraser Hill...the clock tower

The next day, we woke up at 5.00am, had our breakfast and get ready for the hiking.

At Sri Peninjau Resort before hiking

We reached the entry point to Pine Tree Hill at about 7.45am and started hiking at around 8.00am. The entry point to PTH is just after Sri Intan TM Resort and marked by a simple arch.

The entry point to Pine Tree Hill

The trek was quite easy and visible. In term of difficulty, it is relatively easier except at certain part where it it involves steep climbing.

Signboard showing the distance from starting point

The steep slope just before the peak of Pine Tree Hill

We reached the peak at about 11.45am after a leisure 3 hrs and 45 minutes trekking.

At last, the Underestimates conquered the peak

View from the PTH peak

After reaching Pine Tree Hill peak, a lot of the Underestimates refused to go to Twin Peak since according to bloggers it takes about 1 hour to reach Twin Peak from PTH. Only three of us (myself, Bob and Kay) decided to go. The rest stayed at PTH to prepare the food. With a lot of energy still remaining, it took us only 15-20 minutes to reach Twin Peak.

Reaching Twin Peak... so happy

Taking rest at Twin Peak...not very shady here...360 deg ree view

We started climbing down at about 1.30pm and reached the starting point at about 5.45 pm. Surprisingly, I was the last person to reach the starting point. Wow!

As a whole, the trip was a bit running out of plan due to some unforeseen circumstances but that doesn't mean we didn't enjoy the trip. For me this is the most wonderful trip I've ever had because:

1. The Underestimate is getting more new friends this time. Congrats to all who had made this program a success.

2. A lot of unpredictable events occured throughout the program which taught us good lessons and experience.

3. Colourful experience with only little costs.

So, my dear Underestimate friends. Don't stop your outdoor quest. Join us again in our future outdoor trip. We'll try to diversify our activities so as to meet your demand. Keep in touch always! For those who could not join our trip this time due to unavoidable circumstances, don't worry! we still have a lot more to come.