Ng Chang Chai led the group through a stretch of winding mud track cutting across an orang asli orchard planted with durian and petai trees. Too bad no aroma of ripe durians* was detected in the refreshing morning air. Otherwise there would be an added agenda of a durian feast for the trip. After some huffing and puffing, the group succeeded in overcoming the natural obstacles of slippery slopes, thorny palm leaves and other vegetation to reach the rocky top where a spectacular view awaited them. The climbers were truly elated and amply rewarded with a scenic view of the surrounding natural landscape. Part of the Kinta Valley with the morning mist hovering over it was clearly visible in the western horizon with a backdrop of blue mountain ranges. Overlooking us from the east was the unmistakable Mount Korbu, the 2nd highest peak in the Peninsular. Two rustic-looking orang asli settlements found amid the abundant greenery offered a soothing view of Mother Nature. Incessant calls from broadbills and an eagle, along with the sighting of a malkoha gave us a hint of the bird life of the surrounding forest.

The trip leader was greatly saddened by the discovery of the change in appearance of the river which he had promised to lead the participants to at the end of the trip. The usually clear river water had turned into silt laden muddy water � like teh tarik. To know that the river water is actually part of Ipoh City's water supply, many people will be very upset and worried that the water woes in Kuala Lumpur may be repeated in Ipoh. Obviously, some very inconsiderate decision had been made to cause this serious degradation of the river water quality".

Mr Edward Yong's notes: "We started to trek 175 steps down from the car park and then followed a 2-km open mud track. We sighted many fruiting durian, petai and cempedak trees. Some members were tempted to pluck them. Fortunately their good sense and caution by other members stopped them. Many plants, insects and birds were seen along the trail. A pair of Raja Brooke butterflies and many wild mushrooms** were seen. A few magpie robins and other birds were identified.

Around 9.30 am we started on the second part of an uphill climb along a forest trail which took about 25 minutes. Beautiful red-coloured wild ginger flowers sprouted vibrantly from the forest floor. Along the trail, shady clumps of bamboo, thorny palms and rattan plants were encountered while melodious bird calls and insect sounds were heard. Among them were a Malkoha, a broadbill, barbets and tailorbirds.

On reaching the rocky outcrop at the peak, all the trekkers were struck by the scenic natural beauty of the surrounding landscape with a breath-taking clear view of the Kinta Valley***. Thank God it had been raining all night on Saturday. We spent about an hour enjoying the scenery and relaxing among the rocks and began to trek down at 11 am."

Chairman's Footnotes:
*Liew saw a fallen durian with a squirrel hole but as he went down to check, shouts were heard from the orang asli village below and so the smell of durians could not be determined.
**A stinkhorn fungus with its lacy white cape and two smaller ones were seen beside the newly opened laterite road � a very unusual sight to see them growing without any vegetation cover.
***Just before reaching the rocky outcrop a gesneriad of the Didymorcarpus genus was seen growing at the base of the big rock (watch out for it on the homepage). Two plants that should be of botanical interest are a rhododendron growing in the middle part of the ridge towards the north (no flowers were sighted) and a short tree with small casuarina-like leaves and small white flowers which has been identified as a Bachia of the tea-tree genus of Australia. The Bachia tree contains volatile oils so it may have commercial value. Some members had earlier taken some samples to make a tea but a member reported that a rash broke out near his eye where he brushed against it. You do not have to huff and puff up Rocky Mountain to see the tree but view it at Rimba Ilmu, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.