Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Ampang
250m | 5.8 km | 3 hours

Although older pits, lakes and dams were constructed for mining purposes, it is believed that the "Ampang Impounding Reservoir" is the first water supply reservoir in Kuala Lumpur.  Prior to that time, water for daily use was obtained from wells and rivers.  Initial survey work for the reservoir started in 1888.  The reservoir was built by damming one of the tributaries of the Ampang river, Sungai Kongsi Lapan, creating a long and narrow lake roughly 100m across and 500m long high on the hills of Ampang.  Construction of the reservoir was completed in 1892.   10" pipes carried water from the reservoir to a storage tank on the "high hills behind the Residency".  This is probably the water tank at Bukit Tunku, from where the water was piped to houses and businesses throughout Kuala Lumpur town.  It would be an interesting project to visit the tanks and get a sense of its history and whether it's still in use today.

Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Taman Melawati
400m | 3.5 km | 3 hours

Anyone who has gazed out from a tall building or high point in Kuala Lumpur would not have failed to notice the white cliffs that surround the northern edge of the city, like a white veil shielding what's beyond from the prying eyes of KLites.  Many assume that the cliffs are limestone hills, like the ones that dominate the Ipoh or Phuket skyline.  But despite what it looks like from the city, the KL "cliffs" are not exposed sides of limestone hills, but actually a long and narrow ridge made of exposed quartz with steep drops on both sides where the surrounding non-quartz soil has been worned down by the weather.  It's only when seen from the top of the ridge itself that one is able to fully appreciate how narrow the ridge really is and marvel at the incredible fan-like nature of the ridge.  The views from the peaks are truly amazing and even as one is making the ascent, you cannot help but think how on earth one even reaches the thin, precarious peaks that stretches far out to the horizon like some kind of a spine on the back of a gigantic pre-historic dragon.

Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Taman Melawati
250m | 4.0 km | 3 hours

I first heard about Bukit Tabur in 1994 from my boss, who climbed the hill as a scout during his school days (presumably in the 70s).  Until then, I had never heard of this place, but I wasn't from Kuala Lumpur, so maybe that's why.  Anyhow, I filed the name away and did not think about it until now.  We were looking for places for our Sunday Trekking Gang to hike on short getaways and I remembered the name from years ago.  Some research and reconnaissance led to many wonderful discoveries and my boss was right, it is an incredible place well deserving of our repeated visits there!

There is Tabur West, the more popular trek, and Tabur East (and Tabur Far East and Tabur Extreme even further east).  After having trekked Tabur West a number of times, we wanted to see how far we could go westwards and whether we could reach the part of the ridge that overlooks the Karak Highway.

Malaysia, Pahang, Frasers Hill
1453m | 7.0 km | 4:04 hours

This trip was to commemorate our first anniversary since the Sunday Trekking Group got together.  Our first trip was a walk up Fraser's Hill from Gap and it was only fitting that we celebrate with another hike at Fraser's!

It was an overcast day with a lot of moisture in the air.  It didn't help that the past few days were rainy ones, the path was wet and muddy making our journey slow and laborious.  From our previous experience with Pine Tree, we know it can be a lovely trail with its wide dry-leaf covered paths and wood lined steps.  But today, the slippery floor made it so much less pleasant and a few of us found it quite tiring.

Malaysia, Selangor, Gap
1360m | 5.1 km | 3:13 hours

​Gunung Ulu Semangkok should not be confused with Gunung Semangkok.  Although both are peaks on the Titiwangsa range on the border between Selangor and Pahang, Ulu Semangkok is on the south of Frasers Hill while Semangkok is to the north.  It is curious that the two peaks bear similar names. The Semangkok river, a tributary of Sangloi river (itself on the upper Selangor river) has its origins on the west of The Gap. Indeed, the earlier name for Gap was Semangkok Pass. Ulu Semangkok is situated just to the south of the Semangkok Pass and forms the highest peak in the vicinity. Ulu Semangkok therefore is an apt name for the mountain as Ulu means river head in Malay, and Ulu Semangkok is exactly the highest mountain at the head of the Semangkok river. But what about Gunung Semangkok? It is not on the Semangkok river basin, nor the Sangloi and not even the Selangor river.  In fact it is drained by tributaries of the Bernam on the western slopes and Sungai Sepam on the east.  So why is it called Gunung Semangkok?