HARI RAYA @ MOUNT STONG, DABONG, KELANTAN

Assalamualaikum wbt

After a long Ramadhan break and Hari Raya holiday...the Underestimate planned for another interesting expedition...this time to Mt. Stong, Kelantan. We've been listening to so many good stories about this mountain but this time it's our turn to experience it ourselves.

The expedition took place from 16th -18th September 2011. There were 14 of us altogether..6 from Melaka and 8 from KL. Those from KL took 8.30 pm train from KL Sentral and the train reached Tampin station at 10.30 pm to fetch us to Dabong, Kelantan. We reached Dabong at about 7.30 am.

At Tampin train station

At Dabong Station

At Dabong Station, we were welcomed by our guide who himself prefer to be addressed as"Uncle" i.e. Onkel Adam. Since it was Friday, we decided to depart to Mt Stong after Friday prayer as advised by Uncle. But before that, Uncle took us for caving activity at Gua Gelap and Gua Pagar. We were impressed with explanation given by Uncle and the activity was very informative.

Briefing by Uncle before caving activity

Inside the cave

One of the activities inside the cave...mission impossible

At one of the caves

Listening to Uncle's explanation

After the caving activity and Friday prayer, we started packing our stuffs for our next activity i.e. trekking up Mt Stong.

Preparation before trekking Mt. Stong

From Dabong train station to the foothill of Mt Stong is about 15 minutes drive. Then, we started trekking alongside the waterfall and sometimes had to cross the waterfall. Onkel took us through this route perhaps to show to us the wonderful scenery of the waterfall...and indeed it was marvellous.

Start trekking from the foothill

The view of the waterfall

Another view of the waterfall

Trekking alongside the waterfall...but be careful as it can be very slippery

Sometimes we had to cross the waterfall

Resting along the way

After trekking for about1 hour, we reached Kem Baha where we're going to spend our night there. When we reached Kem Baha, it was raining and we struggled to set up our fly and tent. But, with the cooperation from all Underestimates we manage to do it in the quickest time.

At Kem Baha..very convenient campsite

Our fly and tent

Cooking for dinner...

Since it still Raya time..we had lemang, serunding and etc for our dinner...nice

Bob the Chef...

In this trip, we had planned to celebrate Hari Raya at the mountain. So, everybody must bring their own baju raya. We also took with us some fireworks to be played at the mountain.

Underestimate Hari Raya pic at Mount Stong..

Main bunga api kt Mt Stong...hahaha

After raya session near the waterfall at Kem Baha, we continued with chit chattiing and cooking for tomorrow's breakfast. After that long day, we all went to sleep. Luckily, it was not as cold as we thought. So, everybody had a very nice sleep. Tomorrow, we need to wake up early to view the sunrise from the waterfall edge. We woke up at 5am.

The sunrise at Kem Baha...what a wonderful view!

The Underestimate taking picture after sunrise..

After that, we quickly prepared our stuffs to continue our trekking to the peak of Mt. Stong.

At the early stage of the trekking to the peak of Mt Stong

Taking pictures..

Along the way...we had to refill our water ration here

Finally, after 4 hours trekking we reached the peak..congratulations to all Underestimates!

With the other groups at the peak..

Another pic at the peak...

The Underestimate at the peak..

It was raining a bit at the peak, so, we could not stay longer. After having our meal, we quickly start our trekking down and we reached Kem Baha at about 5 pm. We were very happy and some of us took the opportunity to swim at the waterfall. Later on, they got a warning from the guide to go up because of the possibility of Kepala Air phenomenon. Some of them did not take heed of the warning. Only after seriously being warned that they decided to get out from the waterfall. Not long after they got out, the Kepala Air phenomenon took place...huhu. Luckily we all are safe.

Just before the 'Kepala Air'...so hepi mandi-manda...hehe

The Kepala Air...isshhh...cannot imagine

We took some time to pack up our stuff since we need to go back to Dabong to catch our night train back to Melaka. However the waterfall was still heavily flowing and we could not cross it. We waited for some times for the running water to subside but to no avail. However, our guide decided that we still have to cross the waterfall using an alternative route or otherwise we will miss our train back to Melaka. We still need to cross the rapid water, though it is scary...we have to. It really tested our mental and teamwork in that situation where some of the members refused to cross the waterfall. But after some persuasion and motivation, all of us managed to cross it safely. Congratulations to all Underestimates! I'm very proud of you all.

Teamwork shown while crossing the rapid waterfall.

At Dabong train station before departing to Melaka

On the whole, the trip was very sucessful. We really really learnt a lot of things in this wonderful trip. Thanks to Onkel Adam for his vast knowledge and experience shared with us during the expedition...and for all advices and motivations given to us throughout the expedition. Not to forget the lesson we learnt from the Kepala Air phenomenon that made us realise how powerful the nature can be...what more the Creator of the nature. Last but not least, the teamwork and cooperation that were shown by each and everyone of the Underestimates that made us realise the importance of frienship. Let us preserve this wonderful friendship...