when human meets mountain

Camerons was the bomb. It was a mirage of moss, laughter, mud, aches in our sides, lame jokes, bruises, amazing food, shivering in our sleep, shameless camwhoring, number ones and twos, bone chilling baths and 100% enjoyment.

the climb consisted of 3 peaks in Cameron Highlands - Brinchang, Irau and Berembun. Sounds like quite a feat to be achieved in 5 days, but in actual fact, people complete that in mere 72 hours.

Our first night was spent at the foothill of Gunung Brinchang. The tents we slept in kept the wind out, but the cold was almost unbearable for me. Even with a sweater, and a sleeping bag, the cold bit right into my bones. Many times i woke up in the middle of the night, to find my teeth chattering and my knees shivering.

Gunung BrinchangThis was an introductory climb to what lay ahead of us the next day. The climb was tough to begin with but as our hearts and lungs got used to the cold thin air, the climb got easier. The environment was mossy and slightly damp, but we were told that Irau was a lot more than that. The terrain was very demanding at certain stretches, because it sloped up and down a few times. The climb was expected to take 4 hours maximum, but our group of first timers did an amazing job, i'd say, when we reached in less than 3 hours at the peak of Brinchang.

At the peak, we set up our tents for the night. Food was truly scrumptious, thanks to our chief chef, Fuad. Water, was a scarce resource up on the peak. Everything had to be rationed out well.

When night came, so did the wind. I had on 2 t shirts, a sweater, track pants and socks, and i wrapped myself up in my sleeping bag. I prayed that i'd be able to sleep through the night, but once again, i woke up time and time to curl myself up tighter and stop myself from shivering.

Gunung Irau
If you have read Enid Blyton's tales of enchanted forests where little pixies and gnomes stayed, then you pretty much can picture how Irau was...minus the pixies and gnomes of course. The trail we took was amazingly gorgeous! The ground was a dark charcoal brown, soft and damp at most stretches. The mud wasn't light brown and icky like that of construction sites. We were lucky it had not rained in 10 days so it's relatively 'dry'. On both sides of the trail were mossy deviders which were velvet like and glazed with dew. The trees hung low and green vines and ferns completed the finishing touches of the magical endeavour.

Trekking up Irau requires some level of physical fitness. We hiked from 10 to about 2 plus to the peak. We had our lunch up there, enjoying the view and the cool mountain air. At about 3 we made our way down, which, for most of us was tougher than going up. The climb requires the use of both our hands and legs, and sometimes even our knees and elbows. We were smudged from head to toe by the time we came out of the mountain and back to our camp site.

Priceless.

Gunung Berembun
This, i believe was put in the intinerary as a climb to wind down and relax. If Irau was like an enchanted forest, then Berembun, to me, was like an enormous hamster cage. The ground had dry leaves and wood shavings. Tall pine trees were on both sides of the trail. The dirt wasn't quite as damp as Irau.

The climb started at 3 pm, after lunch. We spent the morning moving from the campsite atop Brinchang, to the Forestry Department near to Tanah Rata. There were steep hills which were very staircase-like. Didnt really have to use our hands.

We reached the peak at about 4.40 pm. Then we proceeded down a different route and came our through town.

Overall
The 5 days was the best trip ever! The nights before we slept, we spent hordes of laughter from lame jokes and stories. I enjoyed every single moment of it - from the cooking (I fried chicken!) to the singing (mostly by me) to the holding of my sides which ached from the hysterical laughing. Smooth skin have been replaced with callouses, blisters, cuts and bruises. Manicured finger cuticles are now mud stained, with a tinge of dirt stuck underneath. The already hot temperature of Subang Jaya is now unberable. And my bed have never been so comfortable.

The group mixed well with one another, which was pleasing for me. I believe everyone went home with a whole new outlook on camping and hiking, and a list of new friends to call on the next outdoor trip. I'm just glad everyone is glad. :)

.:more pictures:.