Gunung Datuk Climb: Will to Climb (Adventure turned Misadventure turned Total Adventure) Negeri Sembilan

Will to Climb (Adventure turned Misadventure turned Total Adventure) with Jeremy 

I will start our story by saying, “this is a total adventure” for both of us. Gunung Datuk is not that high but our experience here is priceless.This mountain stands only 884m asl. Not that high but it is a solid 824-meter ascent from the initial base jump-off. Initially, Gunung Ledang is the main objective but we change course because of forces that beyond our control.

Originally I planned to go alone but I am happy that Jeremy joined me for this trip. The more the merrier as it goes but only 2 of us are available for this trip. All good to go except one. We do not have RM or Ringgit to be used for our trip. Everything’s fine except RM but we decided to find money changers in Malaysia since money changers in SG are close because of Chinese New Year.

A 360-view of Negeri Sembilan and its neighboring places from the summit of Gunung Datuk.

DAY 1 – 10 Feb 2013 THE GAME PLAN

Everything’s seems fine until we reached Woodlands Checkpoint and until Johor Bahru. From there we took taxi to Larkin Bus Terminal to catch the bus going to Tankak. Tangkak is our entry point to Gunung Ledang. We were so excited for the trip and scale Gunung Ledang. Gunung Ledang is a very popular mountain in Ledang District Northwestern Johor. It is popular for it became a training grounds for various climbers for its varied terrains including ladder and rope climbs and the infamous KFC or Killer For Climbers. Unfortunately, we missed the bus going to Tangkak. A small town in Ledang. We checked every ticketing outlet for any buses available to Tangkak but no more buses available. The next trip would be on the following day which is impossible for us since we are aiming for 1 day climb only. We almost gamble in taking any bus that will pass the diversion road to this placed but its unsafe according to them for the road during nighttime is unsafe with no cabs, no buses and only Jeremy and I walking down the road less travelled at night.

This sad news fuels our “Will to Climb” as we proceeded to our plan B. We want Gunung Datuk. A popular mountain in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Popular for its 800-meter solid ascent and the 360 deg view on the summit. Going there is a bit tough for we do not have so much information of this mountain. We do not know what to ride, how to ride and where to alight. 

We look for some hotspot to Goggle the place. We checked and tried to connect from McDonalds hotspot but cannot connect to their WiFi. Luckily, we found 3 Chinese guys and they let us use their phone as hotspot. These 3 guys are total strangers. Thankful indeed to these guys. Right attitude and communications skills are useful to such situations so do not be ashamed to talk to strangers. Thankful enough and we are now connected to the internet. There you have it! We have the basic info to go there. 

We look for the ticketing booth for Rembau Negeri Sembilan but the in-charge told us that the next bus will be on the following day. OMG. Again no more bus. Last option is to take bus to Semberan. The capital of Negeri Sembilan. At 11:45 pm we departed from Larkin Terminal in JB and supposedly will arrive in Semberan at 1am. 

Knowing that the trip is a bit long, we decided to take a nap. Jeremy really slept, we slept, woke up, slept again and woke up. I checked the time it is 1:30 am but still we have not arrive. I am thinking that maybe it is a really a long journey because we encountered some traffic jam because it is holiday. The next time we checked the place is that.........waaaa looks familiar according to Jeremy. Hey Riz this is KL (Kuala Lumpur). I said what?! We reached Kuala Lumpur. It is already 3:30 am and yes we are in KL. We ask the driver why he never stop to Seremban, our ticket clearly states “Seremban.” He replied, “the inspector told me that all are going to KL.” 

We alighted here in wander the place, the KL terminal. We said, never mind, let us find buses here to go back Seremban or maybe we can take a train. We checked the place but “all counters are closed.” Hu!! We checked the kiosk and still next trip for the buses and trains will be on the following day. Sounds hopeless but we remained calm and composed. We look for pay phones to connect to Jeremy’s GF but we cannot find anywhere. 

We went to a police station and talked to them and they let us use their phone but unable to connect. The officer suggested to take an “executive taxi” but need to bargain the fare. We hired the taxi for RM180 from KL to Rembau. Rembau is the nearest town to Gunung Datuk. We had left KL at 3:45 am. After 10 minutes, I saw a road sign, Semberan 76KM. I said, what it is 76KM from KL to Seremban? How about the initial travel time?Feeling puzzled but still I ermained calm. Approximately it is 76-80KM. So Far. Really far. We really slept well inside the bus and missed our stop.

Then I computed the distance of Rembau. Another 5KM from Semberan. During this time, we never sleep. We want to enjoy the ride. Inside our heads are; how the situation happened? It was a long journey and we knew it already that it is definitely a misadventure. When we are close to Rembau, we asked the cab driver if he knows Gunung Datuk and replied yes and we will just follow the road signs. We said okay, please take us to the jump-off to Datuk which is another 5KM from Rembau. We saw the road sign Gunung Datuk 5KM and another road sign Gunung Datuk 3KM and another Gunung Datuk 1KM. We were so happy because atlast we will reach Datuk and find a place to rest before climbing. 

To our dismay, after the last road sign we cannot locate the road sign for the entrance to the jump-off. We drove so far in the long stretch dark and silent road and stopped and turned around but still unable to locate the sign. After few tries, still we cannot find it so we told the driver to take us to the nearest town. The driver dropped us to a taxi stand and a bus stop around Rembau area. The flag meter registered RM300+ including extra charge. We really thought he will ask for extra charge but luckily he just asked RM180 but we gave him RM200. Thank you Mr Cab driver. You are so good and kind to us.

Top-Bottom, L-R: Kuala Lumpur, True Trail, Wrong Trail, Taxi Stand in Rembau.

Day 2 – 11 Feb 2013 WILL TO CLIMB

This taxi stand became our place to take refuge, we pulled our McDonalds food that we bought from Larkin and eat. Our dinner was only burger. We pulled some supplies from our bag. Good thing that we are prepared for this. Before we leave we weigh our bags. Jeremy carried full pack of 6kg and me 10kg full pack of clothing, food, water and medical supplies. Jeremy asked me if I am damn serous with the weight of my bag. I said yes. He just said sweet! Waa sweet is the term now. While eating we talked and discussed things and experiences. We agreed in many aspects like this situation. Our motivation was positive and really fuelled our “Will to Climb.” We said to ourselves, “we want adventure right.?” “This is it, we want to climb mountains, we have to have it all. This is what it takes. This is it, just deal with it and think positive.”

After eating we pulled out some of our stuffs like jackets and sleeping bags and removed our shoes to give our feet a rest. However, situation like this, I really cannot sleep. While Jeremy is sleeping, I am wandering the place. Go toilet, check the perimeter etc. I really cannot sleep. No matter how I changed position, sitting, leaning on the table. Hu! cannot sleep. At 6:00 am, I felt like chilling. Don’t know why so I find some hot drinks. I found 7-11 outlet but no coffee. So I bought a noodle and sip some hot soup but the noodle I really cannot understand the taste so I never eat it up. At 6:30 in the morning, still dark and quiet. 

Atlast at 7:00 am the first taxi arrived but the driver cannot speak English so well. Luckily, an auntie who can speak both Malay and Chinese had helped us to communicate with the cab driver. She also gave us instructions. This taxi is the same taxi we hired after our climb. The cab driver is nice. He became our personal driver at that time and he knows the place very well. At around 8:00 am we have reached the jump off and we registered for RM5 for the climb. The taxi driver gave us his contact number so that we can call him after our climb. As if we have a Malaysian number. Lol. Luckily, park in-charge promised to help us to contact our taxi after the climb.

After registration, we climb Datuk. We thought that everything’s fine. We trekked for long hours. Followed every markings so that we will not get lost in the middle of the thick jungle. After almost 1 1/2hr of following the marks. We found out that no more marks after the last mark. We searched the area but unable to see it. We discussed the matter saying that probably we followed a wrong mark. We decided to go further, go up and find an open space to check the summit if visible and make it as reference point. 

However, the terrain is so deceiving, no open space and there is an unending steep ascent. We figured out that we are lost. During this time, the time is around 9:00 am+ but still a bit dark because the sunlight cannot penetrate the lower part of the jungle. We remained calm and pulled out my knife. Jeremy made markings as we go further. I blew my whistle but no response. At first we really do not think we are lost. We just think that maybe the climbers are so fast that we cannot find them. 

We figured out that no trails, no grass or plants that are flattened. As in no trace from climbers ahead of us. The terrain here is so steep. We encountered mossy boulder, streams, thorny plants and insects. Got some rashes and scratches after this. After this, we decided to turn around. Trace our markings until the last visible marks. As we walked we come up to a decision that we will go down fast and talk to the rangers and climb again via the true trail.” So we go down fast enough, managed the steep terrain and go straight to the ranger’s house and ask few things. 

The in-charge told us that we should never follow that trail. That is the boundary marks. They said that we followed a wrong and dangerous trail for we wandered into an unknown territory. By right, we dubbed this as the “first attempt via that route.” We are lost in dense jungle for 2 hours. Hahahah but for us, it’s part of our journey. It is the question of how we manage things in an unfavorable situation like this. Key things are: remain CALM, POSITIVE THINKING and PRAY. Disaster usually happens if we panic.

After having a sufficient knowledge of the trail, we climb again and there it is, a clear trail. We said what!!!, this trail is nothing compared to our first “trail” and laugh out loud. You start climbing around 60m from the base of the mountain and it is a solid 824-meter ascent. The terrain is relatively easy for experienced and conditioned climbers. Lots of uprooted roots and vegetations along the way. 

There are leeches also. I got 2 leaches marks and I am bleeding. This is all up terrain. We met lots of climbers ascending and descending with various races and backgrounds. We met students, kids, professionals like the 2 American Environmentalists.

This time we are in a speed climb mode but we couldn’t really speed up for we cant overtake some climbers in some specific points of trails. After quite some time we have reached the campsite, roughly 30-50m from the highest point of the summit. It's damn nice. However, before you reach this you will negotiate some very steep slopes and you will noticed 2 false summits wherein you can take rest.

Enjoying our stay on Gunung Datuk's fantastic summit.

We have reached the summit at around 2:00 pm (i’l check logsheet from Jeremy’s watch). Picture taking there, met some friends, felt the breeze, and enjoyed the beautiful view. So sad that we never experience sunrise here and If ever we are not lost we surely experience clouds and sunrise here. Anyway never mind, its okay.

Some said it is a small mountain, but when you are up there you will feel that you are SMALLER. A dot only.

Our way to the summit is that, we climb 4 ladders. Since the summit is made of huge boulders, you need to climb ladders. These ladders are secured but a bit shaking because of strong winds. You need to have a good grip here, if do not have surely you fall. We spend more or less 30 minutes to the summit. We enjoyed every spot of the summit. Picture taking, taking videos, eating taking. 

We decided to go down when we saw dark clouds. We said to ourselves that we need to reach the base before the rain starts pouring and we need to catch the last bus. We go down in speedy mode. Run, jump hop. Again some point you cannot for it is almost vertical for some area of the trail. We overtake some descending climbers and they asked why in a hurry. I smiled and say, we want to catch the last bus to SG. We reach the base safe and sound. Jeremy reached the base first. He also took a shower from the stream. We relax a bit and changed up clothes. My clothes can squeeze and see the sweat flowing. After this we go to the ranger’s HQ and have a bit of conversation with them. These guys are nice and they also helped us to call our taxi.

Our way to the summit of Gunung Datuk.

After 15mins, there he is our personal driver. Having no enough sleep and food and the initial mess, we cannot believe we made it. Hahaha, proceeded to Sri Kendang, a typical food like hawker center. The food was nice and one crew there was damn pretty. She always smile. 

We ate because we are starving, also our driver we invited for lunch but refused and ordered only tea but we treat him a bottled tea drink. He drove us to the nearby place called Tampin. From there we say goodbye to our good friend cab driver. 

We check the bus going to JB but this bus is leaving at 7:15 pm. We wanted to leave early so we checked the train service for JB. We asked bystanders if where is the train station, some said I do not know, and others said it is near Maybank. Good thing Jeremy can speak a bit of Malay, if not wow. Alama, the train station is around 1.5KM. We walked there and check. OMG no more train service, full already. Aiyo.

No choice but to go back to bus terminal, but we do not want to walk again that far. So tired already. No bus, no taxi. Guess what, we hitchhike. We saw a delivery truck and they offered as a ride up to near the bus terminal. Thanks for these guys. Two thumbs up. So kind.

After this, we checked the bus service and to our surprise the bus that supposedly leaving at 7:15 pm was already full. We asked for any buses going JB, he said no more. Last chance, is the LAST BUS going Melaka. From there we checked buses. We managed to board this last bus to Melaka.

While onboard, we tried to call some friends but unfortunate things happened. Remy's phone cannot be used for some Malaysian lines. So we asked favor from a Malaysian lady. A passenger of this bus also and she let us used her phone. Thank you lady. After some time we have reached Melaka. A Portuguese-inspired place that will surely captured one's attention once you see this place.  

When we arrived there, we right away checked every ticketing outlet. So unfortunate, the next bus is on the following day. I said cannot, I will work tomorrow. Remy (Jeremy) purchased a Malaysian line for him to call his friend and her girlfriend but so sad they are not around. 

We decided to hire a taxi for RM80 but we need to find another 2 passengers to share the cost of this trip. Going to SG via taxi from JB is actually a long trip and an expensive trip for both of us. It is also too long to find extra passengers. We even roam around and asked passengers to go with us. To share cost with us. We even talked so loud like barkers looking for 2 more passengers. We said "we need 2 passengers to share with us." Howver, some passengers have already booked other taxis and buses.

Top-Bottom, L-R: Hitchhiking in Tampin, Melaka Terminal, Melaka Sentral.

We told the cab driver to keep looking and we will take our dinner first and call us if he can find 2 more passengers. We were heading to TESCO and we were in the middle of the skywalk, enjoying the view and talking of having a very good food when suddenly Remy’s phone rings and there you are 2 passengers and ready to go. Huh!, no choice, even hungry we go back to the terminal and go.

The trip is long, really long. From Melaka to JB. We experienced traffic jams and saw red lights from the tail lights of the vehicle in front of us. Looks like VIP lights. Hahhaa. When we reached JB, we wanted to eat Ramly burger, they said it is very nice but grrrr again no more. We eat our dinner there, a place like street food and hawker type but serves very good food. I ordered fried catfish and kambing soup. So yummy, while Remy ordered Ayam and Veges.

We said that we are almost home. After eating we go directly to Imigresen and thats it. All okay. All fine. Up to the Immigration in SG. We were so happy at last we will reach home. We proceeded to bus waiting area for Bus950 that will go to Woodlands. It was already midnight when we have reached Woodlands SG. 

Day 3 – 12 Feb 2013

We waited for so long knowing that no more bus. We said, again!!! Wa, Hey Remy what do you want to do, taxi or hitch hike. LOL..we noticed the bus 170 going to Kranji, we took this bus and arrive to Kranji MRT and decided to take taxi but we saw that there is a last train that will pass Woodlands. We ran to the platform and managed to catch the last train. After this, HOME SWEET HOME. I arrived home at 1am.

For some our experiences are nothing, for some it was a horrible experience that they do not want to happen to them. For us, no matter what; you must deal with the situation. We want adventure, there it is but managed it well. Treasured it also. Gutsy attitude will also help. Great help actually. No guts no Glory as it goes. Need to have guts to talk to other people. Need guts to do things that you think you cannot. You will also discover your hidden talents and skills when terrible things happened. Just be calm and deal with it. This experience will soon help you. For us, this was TOTAL ADVENTURE.