Gunung Tahan is one of my favorite mountains and also one of the toughest I’ve climbed so far. Since taking up the hobby in 2000, I’ve reached the summit 4 times – the last was in April this year (2009) with Team Santai.

Gunung Tahan is the highest point in Peninsula Malaysia standing at 2187 m above sea-level. It is situated in the state of Pahang, within the Taman Negara national forest, West Malaysia. There are 3 routes that you can take to reach the summit.

• Via Sungei Relau, Merapoh, Kelantan
• Via Kuala Tahan, Pahang (Taman Negara HQ)
• Via Kuala Kor (Closed)

I was also told that some years ago, there were climbers who tried the route from Tasik Kenyir, Terengganu but I could not confirmed the source. However, by looking at the map, it should be possible but definitely the journey would be longer than the current routes and experience climbers are required.

So far, I’ve tried the following routes.

• Merapoh to Kuala Tahan + Four Steps Waterfall (Transverse) – 9 days
• Kuala Tahan to Merapoh (Classic) – 7 days
• Merapoh via Merapoh – 4 days

If you want to experience the best, this is one mountain that I highly recommend. You do not have to be a seasonal climber to conquer Mount Tahan, but you definitely have to be mentally prepared. As for your fitness level, it depends on the days you will be taking. You still have to train.

I will be planning 3 trips to Gunung Tahan next year (2010) as follows.

• February – 4 days – Merapoh to Merapoh
• April – 7 days – Transverse – Merapoh to Kuala Tahan
• Either July or August

Email me if you are interested to join my trip next year.

Click here to view more photos.

Jailani@pactrex

For more information, drop us an email at info@pactrex.com.

Grading:

• Easy - Short Local / Day Hike
• Moderate - eg. Gunung Belumut
• Moderate to Strenuous - eg. Gunung Stong & Ayam
• Strenuous - eg. Gunung Tahan

Click here to know more about the Trail.

For more information, drop us an email at info@pactrex.com.

Grading:

• Easy - Short Local / Day Hike
• Moderate - eg. Gunung Belumut
• Moderate to Strenuous - eg. Gunung Stong & Ayam
• Strenuous - eg. Gunung Tahan

Click here to know more about Bukit Timah Nature Reserve which covers Bukit Timah Road, Mandai Road, Upper Thomson Road, Lornie Road & part of Pan-Island Expressway.

For more information, drop us an email at info@pactrex.com.

Grading:

• Easy - Short Local / Day Hike
• Moderate - eg. Gunung Belumut
• Moderate to Strenuous - eg. Gunung Stong & Ayam
• Strenuous - eg. Gunung Tahan

There are many articles and definitions of mountain climbing or mountaineering. Some are very complex to understand, some are too easy to absorb, etc. The following is a short but good article explaining the definitions and the benefits of it.

Mountaineering is a physically challenging sport which improves both your physical fitness and cardiovascular fitness levels. Requiring technical skills and equipment, mountaineering’s great reward is in reaching the summit!

What exactly is mountaineering?

Technically anybody could walk to the top of a mountain but this would not make them a mountaineer. Mountaineering can best be described as the ascent of any hill or mountain where the gradient and severity of the terrain requires some form of climbing and the sustained use of technical equipment.

In summer this equipment can include a helmet, rope, harness, karabiner and protective climbing equipment, and in winter will include the addition of crampons, ice axe and protective ice-climbing equipment.

Mountaineering will inevitably involve periods of hill walking but what distinguishes these two activities is whether you need to use technical equipment in order to reach your objective… the summit!

How can you benefit from mountaineering?

There are numerous benefits to mountaineering. The most obvious benefits are improving both your physical fitness and cardiovascular fitness levels as well as reducing body fat through exercise. Some other less obvious or ‘less tangible’ benefits include greatly improving your own personal confidence and team working skills, which you will use in your work and personal life without even realising it!

Talk soon,

Jailani

Source: Information from the Internet

For more information, drop us an email at info@pactrex.com.

Grading:

• Easy - Short Local / Day Hike
• Moderate - eg. Gunung Belumut
• Moderate to Strenuous - eg. Gunung Stong & Ayam
• Strenuous - eg. Gunung Tahan