This is long overdue. I was supposed to write about our climb immediately after embarking from Malaysia but I couldn't find the time to do so; I’ve been so busy.
Friendship Climb @ Gunung Panti, Kota Tinggi Malaysia
The sole purpose of the climb was to raise funds and to extend our help to the Globe Adventure Club in the Philippines on their medical mission for our Aeta brothers and sisters. They coordinated with the Bundokeros Adventure Club and had our team, the PSG Mountaineering club, invited. The support was overwhelming and it united all the Filipino climbers here in Singapore, as well as those from Malaysia. For a registration fee of $20, we were given souvenir shirts, a one of a kind climb experience, and the chance to extend our help to the Aetas back home.
The call time was 6.30 am at Kranji MRT Station, the BAC hired a Malaysian bus which brought us directly to Kota Tinggi, Malaysia. An almost two hour travel including the queue in both Singapore immigration and Malaysian immigration, hmm... not bad. Upon reaching Kota Tinggi bus terminal we took a teksi (taxi) to the jump-off point where we were met by the Filipino climbers from Kuala Lumpur. We also had an early lunch there. After 30 minutes we were all set, we started the supposed two-hour trek to the summit of Gunung Panti, but it took me three hours or more hehhehe, no practice and physical preparation…as usual, the hard-headed me. Fortunately, the sweepers were Caloy, Olan and the drummer of DeadMacoys whose name slipped my memory. I tested and tried their patience and I appreciate it.
Anyway, aside from the experience of being sucked by two lematiks (leech) for the first time, the highlight of the climb was the giant rock which I had to hurdle to reach the summit. It was the most dangerous part of the climb, imagine yourself in a giant slippery rock situated at the edge of the mountain and one wrong move will bring you to your final destination. And I am proud to say I survived! I did it!
Friendship Climb @ Gunung Panti, Kota Tinggi Malaysia
The sole purpose of the climb was to raise funds and to extend our help to the Globe Adventure Club in the Philippines on their medical mission for our Aeta brothers and sisters. They coordinated with the Bundokeros Adventure Club and had our team, the PSG Mountaineering club, invited. The support was overwhelming and it united all the Filipino climbers here in Singapore, as well as those from Malaysia. For a registration fee of $20, we were given souvenir shirts, a one of a kind climb experience, and the chance to extend our help to the Aetas back home.
The call time was 6.30 am at Kranji MRT Station, the BAC hired a Malaysian bus which brought us directly to Kota Tinggi, Malaysia. An almost two hour travel including the queue in both Singapore immigration and Malaysian immigration, hmm... not bad. Upon reaching Kota Tinggi bus terminal we took a teksi (taxi) to the jump-off point where we were met by the Filipino climbers from Kuala Lumpur. We also had an early lunch there. After 30 minutes we were all set, we started the supposed two-hour trek to the summit of Gunung Panti, but it took me three hours or more hehhehe, no practice and physical preparation…as usual, the hard-headed me. Fortunately, the sweepers were Caloy, Olan and the drummer of DeadMacoys whose name slipped my memory. I tested and tried their patience and I appreciate it.
Anyway, aside from the experience of being sucked by two lematiks (leech) for the first time, the highlight of the climb was the giant rock which I had to hurdle to reach the summit. It was the most dangerous part of the climb, imagine yourself in a giant slippery rock situated at the edge of the mountain and one wrong move will bring you to your final destination. And I am proud to say I survived! I did it!
After setting up the tents, unpacking our things, and a short siesta, we all waited for the breathtaking view of the sunset. It was amazing! The sound of the wind blowing into the trees was like background music while we were watching the sun kissing the beautiful mountains of Malaysia
When the moon showed up, the socials started, everybody gathered and we all bonded. T’was a night of laughter and cheers!
It’s two-way, going to the summit is an option and going down is mandatory. So at around 10:30 am we were already trekking down the mountains . We took a different route down, and after 4 hours of trekking, only did our lead and sweeper realize that we were on the wrong way down. What should have been 2-3 hours of trekking down became 7 hours, without food and without water. Good thing it rained so we were not really that dehydrated.
Thanks to the hard work of the members of BAC who really tried everything to trace the trail. I admire them for their stamina and endurance--good job guys!
At last we were able to reach our destination at around 7pm. By 11pm we were home again, tired but fulfilled. The Gunung Panti Friendship climb is an experience worth all the time and effort.
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