New to the activity, Syida Lizta Amirul Ihsan hikes up a popular hiking spot 90 minutes from the city
THE TRAIL
It starts off easy on a natural trail until you reach the river with a broken bridge. Part of the bridge is still afloat so you walk on that metal structure. Another river awaits where you remove your shoes to wade across.
The water is cooling and it reminds me of childhood trips to waterfalls. Don’t bother folding your hiking pants up because you’ll find out later that earth will soil them worse than water will. It goes uphill from here, with tree roots forming stairs and bamboo plants criss-crossing the trail, which you either go under or above.
The ascent continues until a rock structure called Batu Tedung where hikers usually take a short rest before continuing. The structure is said to resemble the head of a cobra but after two hours of an uphill climb, I am too tired to notice.
SECOND HALF
The air gets colder after the rock structure and the ascent is more gradual. But with tired feet, it is still another two hours before we reach the top.
A hike seems never-ending when you are tired, but hiking is nothing if not to sharpen your mental agility and resilience to deal with difficulty and see it through. We reach the peak four hours after we start. There are two rocks near the summit with ladders tied to them if you want to stand on the highest point. Some people climb up. I didn’t because I am afraid of climbing such heights. Instead, I sit down to enjoy my nasi lemak before the descent.
GOING DOWN
It is twice as difficult going down as it is climbing up. It had rained earlier and the soil is wet and slippery. I do not have a hiking pole so our group leader makes one from a branch. That pole is literally a lifesaver.
The soil is slippery and whatever traction that I enjoyed going up on my Skechers GoUltra Trail 3 is lost when the studs get covered in mud. It is pretty much a mudslide all the way down. I slip and fall once because I can’t find the right footing even with pole in hand. I have to reduce my pace because a fall on a steep slope means injury. I reach the river at 6.30pm. I pray, clean the soil from my clothes and shoes and walk to the entrance.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
1. Even if you don’t feel like eating, have a small bite at the summit. Appetite is secondary. You need to fuel your body for the journey down or else the walk will be unbearable.
2. Bring along a hiking pole because navigating the trail downwards when it’s wet is almost impossible.
3. Our group leader registered our names at the nearby police station. While the risk of being lost is low as there is only one trail up and down and the alternative trail is closed, it never hurts to be extra careful.
4. Walk down and don’t run. The steep trail is an injury waiting to happen with only one misstep.
5. Make sure your toenails are trimmed, otherwise your toes risk bruising during descent.
Bukit Kutu
LOCATION: Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor
HEIGHT: 1,053m
ESTIMATED CALORIE BURN: 1,500 kCal
DURATION: Four-hour ascent, three-hour descent (speed varies according to hiker’s endurance level and soil condition)
RECOMMENDED STARTING TIME: As soon as the sun rises. Spare time for delays, especially if you are hiking in a big group. You should reach the river latest by 6pm, before it gets dark.
NECESSITIES: Two litres of water,
First aid kit for cuts and blisters,
small chocolate bars for quick energy, packed lunch, hiking pole, hiking shoe with good traction, wet wipes.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Difficult for a beginner, average for a regu-lar hiker. Some people come here every weekend. Once acquainted with the trails, the ascent and descent will be more mana-geable.