Activities Report Jan 2000 Newsletter
Gunung Yong Belar (6 - 8 Nov. 1999)
Over the Deepavali holidays, Ong Boo Kuan
(Moon), our mountaineer, organised a trip to climb Gunong Yong Belar (2,181
metres) which is the third highest mountain in Peninsular Malaysia. Three
hikers from MNS Selangor branch and one from MNS Penang made up the "Dirty
Dozen". Well, at least that was what we looked like when we reached the
summit.
We spent the first night in Tringkap
together with 8 birders who did not join us in the climb. A hearty steam
boat dinner organised by Mrs. Cheaw Hon Ming promoted camaraderie. The
next day, after breakfast at Kampong Raja we headed for the Blue Valley
Tea Estate. A 45-minute ride in two 4WD's took us to a disused farm in
Lojing. A 200 metre hike took us to the mossy forest, the beginning of
the mountain trail. Although medically indisposed, Moon took the trouble
to guide us to the starting point. From then on, Mah King Wah took over
the reins to guide us up to the summit.
The trail was gentle initially and after
ascending and descending six peaks we arrived at the only water-point 3
hours later. From then on the gradient became steeper and the trail more
soggy and slippery. After two more peaks and 5 hours later most of us were
at the summit before dark.
The weather was kind to us and the vantage
points at the lower peaks gave us a panoramic view of the highlands. At
the summit, we could see Brinchang and even the lights of Ipoh to the south
of Gunong Korbu, another 3 day's hike away. That night, the moon and the
stars were out but we missed our own Moon.
Verdict: This is a very beautiful trail and within the physical limits
of most MNS members, i.e. if they take the trouble to train for the climb
before hand.
Birding Notes by Cheaw Hon Ming: Not much birdlife was noted
on the first day. On the second day after the trekkers left for Yong Belar
at the disused farm at Lojing eight of us birded following the track beside
a trickling stream leading to a dam channeling water to the Siku falls.
There we spotted a raptor, Long-tailed Sibias, Black-headed and other bulbuls,
Streaked Spiderhunter and Slaty-backed Forktail. There were a few interesting
plants near the dam. Among them were the beautiful Didisandra morganii,
a common gesneriad in the highlands.
From the dam we trekked to the Siku
Falls but there were hardly any bird to be seen. Reaching the falls Dr.
Chan Kai Soon reported that he spotted a bird that looks like a Red-headed
Trogon but it flew off before he could have a good look with his scope.
While most rested I birded along the jeep track and had a good look at
a Slaty-backed Forktail but hardly any other birds other than the Black-throated
Sunbird. Later at about 5.00 pm we birded down the track to meet up with
Mr. Liew the farmer who promised to pick us up. Before meeting up with
Mr. Liew we saw some bulbuls and the Scarlet Minivets. Bumping along a
muddy stretch near the Blue Valley estate we stopped to look at two Long-tailed
Shrikes which we felt was quite strange to find them at about 5,500 feet.
On the way back we persuaded Mr. Liew to show us his capsicum farm and
everyone was given one.
On Monday we birded along the G. Brinchang
which yielded a lifer for four of us (Dr. Chan, Loke and Janice missed
it) - a Rufous-vented Niltava which Alan and Christine Munro (MNS Trengganu)
told us to look out for. Not many birds were seen except for a Large Cuckoo-shrike
and a Golden-throated barbet, probably because of the large numbers of
motorists and campers. Later at the Robinson Falls very few birds were
seen. Though we didn’t get to see many birds it was fun with the company
around.
(Dr. Kiew Chik Sang’s report on the trek to Yong
Belar is on page 9)
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Created on 15th Jan 2000