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Title: Telco MADNESS
Location: Gunung Brinchang, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
Date: 22 May 2009, 8:13am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 100
You know you're there at the peak of Gunung Brinchang when you see lots of gigantic telco towers.
Title: Green & Wet
Location: Gunung Brinchang, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
Date: 22 May 2009, 10:07am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 800
These green plants are soft and moist. The floras and faunas in Gunung Brinchang are so different from those in Tanah Rata.
Title: I've Conquered Gunung Brinchang
Location: Observation Tower @ Gunung Brinchang, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
Date: 22 May 2009, 8:59am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/9.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
It was a grueling hike to the top of the mountain. I'm happy to announced that I've conquered Gunung Brinchang with my two legs. I spent one hour sitting on the top platform of the observation tower enjoying the amazing scenery of Cameron Highlands.
Title: Spectacular View
Location: Observation Tower @ Gunung Brinchang, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
Date: 22 May 2009, 8:39am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 200
I can see the entire Cameron Highlands - virtually :) Ocassionally, mist was coming out of nowhere blanketing the entire Gunung Brinchang.
Title: Mountain in The Mist
Location: Observation Tower @ Gunung Brinchang, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
Date: 22 May 2009, 8:47am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 180
A landscape view. It was pretty difficult to get a decent shot. The surrounding area was misty and cloudy. I was hoping to see the straits of Malacca from the observation tower.
Title: The Last 2km
Location: Gunung Brinchang, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
Date: 22 May 2009, 10:06am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 180
The moment I saw this sign, I breathe a sigh of relief! I need to pushed myself for another 2km. The last mile was insane! Steep slopes that really test your stamina. I nearly got heart attack 'racing' to the peak of the mountain.
Title: The Plants
Location: Gunung Brinchang, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
Date: 22 May 2009, 10:03am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 200
Green plants with interesting needle-like leaves.
Title: Going Down
Location: Mossy Forest, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
Date: 22 May 2009, 9:36am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/4.8, ISO Equiv.: 200
I walked into Mossy Forest after descending from Gunung Brinchang. These wooden pathway cut through the mossy forest enabling visitors to 'experience' the mossy forest UP, CLOSE & PERSONAL. The length of the wooden pathway is about 1km. After that, you can choose to continue hiking the forest for another three hours to reach Gunung Irau (6,858 ft). I decided not to climb up Gunung Irau - I was tired!
Day 1 was a productive day. By nighttime, I referred to my comprehensive Cameron Highlands map (download link at the bottom of the page) and started planning for Day 2. There are too many attractions in Cameron Highlands. I had tough time selecting 5 – 6 places to explore on Day 2. After weighing the pros and cons, I narrowed down my selection to 1) Bukit/Mount Brinchang (6,666ft), 2) Orang Asli/Aborigines Village, 3) Veggie farm, 4) Sam Poh Buddhist Temple and 5) Pasar Malam Brinchang.
On Day 2, I woke up 6.00 a.m. I took 45 minutes to take my early bath and breakfast. Then, I drove my car to Sg. Palas junction in BOH’s tea plantation. I met a local guard and asked him “Encik, kereta saya ni boleh naik sampai puncak Gunung Brinchang?” (Translation: “Sir, do you think my car is able to reach the mountain?”) He was mumbling about something. I said “AH????” He answered lamely “BOLEHLAH!!!!” (Translation: “YES!!!!”). Well, I think he was sleepy and grumpy.
It was supposed to be a 5.5km drive via Sg. Palas opening. Less than 900m, I stopped my car at the side of the road. The road heading up the mountain was getting narrower and it’s VERY STEEP. In addition, the dilapidated and stony road surface was freaking me out. I don’t want my tyre to be punctured halfway. According to cameronhighlands.com “Gunung Brinchang is the highest point in Malaysia accessible by road. A part of the Straits of Malacca can be seen from the observation tower of Gunung Brinchang on a clear day.”
I decided to continue the journey with my own legs. It was a smooth and relaxing walk for the first 2.5km. After that, it was a grueling hike. The slopes were insanely steep! My heart was beating fast and I felt pain on my chest. I decided to rest for 5 minutes and stuffed my ears with earphones listening to some soothing MP3s. After that, I soldiered on moving at a moderate pace. When I reached the 3.5km mark, I saw the observation tower. It was tiny and still faraway. Seeing the tower motivated and pushed me to reach the peak. The last 1km was very interesting. Plants, vegetation and animals were so different from those in Tanah Rata. The Mossy Forest is located 500m from the peak of the mountain.
FINALLY, I was at the peak of Gunung Brinchang (6,666ft). I’ve done it with my two legs. It was the second most challenging trek after Pine Tree Hill in Fraser’ Hill. At the peak, there are numerous Telco towers owned by DIGI, Maxis and TM. The observation tower is located next to DIGI station. I climbed up the observation tower and sit at the top platform. The landscape view was amazing. I can virtually see the entire Cameron Highlands from here. Occasionally, mist was blanketing the entire Gunung Brinchang. It lasts for 3 – 5 minutes. I spent one hour at the observation tower trying to snap some decent photos. After that, I trekked another 5.5km back to Sg. Palas junction.
going to G Irau takes a whole day at least for normal walking. G Irau also requires both hands and feet on some of its almost vertical slopes. Can walk up G Brinchang but make sure there is vehicle you can tumbang to get down