After my last climb at saga, my friend challenge me to take on Naung. He did fore warned me it was not going to be an easy climb. It will takes about 5-6 hours uphill and another 5 down. Of course I quickly turn him down.But he convinced me to take up the challenge seeing that I had no problem with the saga hike. I did not give him an answer until much later when he created the event on face book and I changed my mind(I must have been crazy at that time) and confirmed my attendance. The date was earlier set on 8th August but was changed to a week later due to his other conmittment.
So the day finally arrived and we left klang at 4.30 am in order to rendezvouz with other hikers at the agreeded meeting point. At about 6.20am we headed for Naung .Arrived at around 7.05am and prepare for the climb. After some warm up exercise we started our journey,which seems like eternity. I have never walked so many miles in my life!. The road seems endless that leads to nowhere. just like the hollie's songs.
"The road is long, with many of winding turns That lead us to (who knows) where, who knows where?" First we arrived at camp Lolo ,where my friend shared some insight on how camp Lolo got it's name. Since it was 18XX I cannot post it here. Four hours later at around 11.00am we reached camp pacat.While at Pacat we met some small group who had given up half way due to the muddy and slippery trail. I was debating if I too should turn back.But then I thought to myself since I had gone this far it would defeat the purpose of why I came in the first place. So I decided to pressed on. I was not going to let some muddy route to discourage me.
After another two hours climb I finally reached the peak of Naung, 4900 feet above sea level at 1.05 pm It was a mixed feeling, a slight of relieve on my achievement and at the same time disappointment as there was not much of a sight from the summit.(unlike saga). After 15 to 20 minutes I make my way down.
Contrary to belief climbing down hill is easier than climbing uphill. It was just as tricky as climbing up. The wet ground make it slippery and I sipped a couple of times and even got my ankle bruised. While making my way down two of my friends were making their way up. so I have to be on my own . The reasons was due to the distant and we cannot afford to waste too much time(even for rest) in order to reach the base before night fall.
I thought I could meet some of my other friends who stayed behind at Pacat camp due to various reasons. But by the time I reached here , they had already left .So after resting a while I continue the journey down to the next camp which was camp Lolo. My this time my legs was aching and I thought I could no longer carry on and it started to rain so I took shelter at the shed there. I met two gentlemen who was with the scout movement and they offer me a ride down hill since they were heading that way to meet another team member. It was God sent. saved me another two agony hours of walking.I reached the base at around 5.00pm and waited for my two friends who finaly arrived at 8.00pm. Waited for them to shower ,changed and we make our way home. What a day. Well this is one event I do not want to try again. For onething I am not out to prove anything. I will consider this as one of the event ticked off from my list of things I wanted to do before reaching 60. My friend who invited talk me into this hike said if I could survive this hike ,taking on mount KK would be no problem. Thanks but no thanks. No more crazy long hours hike for me.
I survived this climb with ease was due to the fact I had a personal trainer at the gym who happen to be my dear God daughter. All the training paid off. Thanks Snow. I made it.
a view from the top
taking a rest.
at the peak, which was nothing to scream about
