Daunting Fun In High Altitude Environments…

Hey Guys,

Its been a long time since the last update. Its the end of the year and I guess some of us have more free time now. I woud like to share an article that was published in The New Straits Times (click on the thumbnail above to view the article),  recently. Most of us have already reached the peak of Mt. Kinabalu, some of us even did the torturous trek twice. But I understand, its the kind of place that you would want to go again, again, and again. Something spiritual and magical about the place.

Ok, now back to reality. There is nothing magical about suffering from altitude sickness when you are there. In fact, on the journey up from Laban Rata resthouse to the peak, most of us who live in the low altitude areas of the Klang Valley, are basically walking zombies. A tiny step after one another, struggling for balance and every bit of oxygen that we can get into our systems, and not to mention the below 8 degrees temperature, which together with wind-chill factor brings the temperature down to sub-zero. Your thinking and reaction time slows. All you need is enough brain power to follow a solitary white static rope. Follow that rope and you will reach the peak. All these combined with the early hours of the morning and the darkness presents you with a very surreal feeling. The vastness of the horizontal granite slabs adds to the very unique feeling of the might of mother nature (and the misery to some people).

Now, we are sport climbers and only very few of us have mountaineering background. As I know that I will be going back to Mt. Kinabalu. However this time, I would love to combine elements of both mountaineering & aided climbing (I assume). May I present to you, the highest Via Ferrata in the world. Click here for more info on what is Via Ferrata ==> Via Ferrata

Honestly, this is a very new thing for Malaysian mountaneering sports. As combined with all the challenges I have listed above, its not for the faint-hearted. Imagine, trying to balance on steep footholds when balance is already tough enough climbing the vertical slabs, and getting enough oxygen doing something even more strenuous than the basic walk-up to the peak. That is all I can imagine for now. I have not much knowledge of this sport, so I will not elaborate. Do check out the links for some education. But one thing for sure. It looks damn interesting and I (and surely you guys) will love to experience it. The views alone will take your breath away, and that makes it all worthwhile. I propose that GreenTrekkerz organize a trip somewhere in the beginning of 2009, when the weather is ideal and hoepefully the sun is shining.

It is a great new experience and if many are interested, I will proceed to research more about what is to be offered by this adventure company.

thats it for now people,

AHLOKKOR

EUROPE’s CLIMBING MUSCLE

Welcome to the first video for the blog. Some of you may have watched this video but for the viewing pleasure of everyone, I think its good to have a collection of videos on the blog. Its not a video of us, but a video of the European PEtzl Team and boy, they are mighty mighty amazing. This video was filmed in 2003 and features one of the top women climber in the world, Joshune Bereziatu. As of 2005, she is the only female to have climbed the grade 9a/5.14d (Bain de Sang in 2002 and Logical Progression).

Watch it once and be amazed, watch it again and be inspired.

The thing about the route that they are climbing is that it looks damn bloody hard. However, I won’t mind falling at these extreme overhangs

 enjoy and be inspired,

AHLOKKOR

2ND GREENTREKKERZ ANNUAL DINNER & CONVENTION 2007

Well guys and girls, as the title suggests. Its that time of the year again. The day we stop monkeying around and start cookin’.  Greentrekkerz and co. presents, besides being a dinner and convention,  The cook-out of the year!!!!!!!. Yes, everyone, prepare your ultimate culinary skills and show us what you can do. 

 I came to this conclusion (as I am not very democratic) of a pot-luck as a BBQ would be very troublesome and will mess up the verandah of which I have no interest in cleaning till the wee hours of the morning. A steamboat would be difficult knowing our increasing number of members. So to feed all the hungry climbers, I believe that there will be enough food once everyone brings something. Also, I am giving the opportunity for Greentrekkerz’s many diverse members to show off their specialities. Person who brings the best dish will have bragging rights for the entire year.

 Some Details:

 START TIME :  5pm…..(Those who wanna use my kitchen to prepare food, can come earlier)

VENUE             :  30, Jalan Tropicana Utama, Tropicana Golf & Country Resort, 47410, Petaling Jaya, Selangor  (Which is my house larrrrrrrr)

DATE              :  31st August 2007   OR   1st September 2007   (Depending on whether there is a trip on the 1st). 

MENU             : As mentioned above, a pot-luck.

WHO MUST ATTEND: All Greentrekkerz members.

WHO CAN ALSO ATTEND: Pretty much everyone, bring on your friends, boyfriends, gurlfriends,parents,relatives, children, gay & lesbian partner……etc.etc.

EVENT RATING:   U, suitable for the whole family………………………..But don’t blame me if the event turns into 18SX or  18SG after the drinking sessions.

Now, I know that not everyone should bring food, we also need drinks, liquer, snacks & drugs….

Also, take note of the need for appetizers, starters, dessert, etc. etc.

 So guys and gurls, please propose on the comments section of this post and tell me what would you all like to bring. Then we can discuss about whether we have a good & balanced menu. I know that most of you will take the easy way out and just bring something easy to make, but please, if you want it to be easy, you can buy something from a restaurant and claimed you cooked it yourself also    We promise we won’t ridicule you  (yeah right).

Program for the night:

Usually for dinners like these, we just sit around and stuff ourselves and have a good laugh. However, this time, it would be great if a creative person could come up with some games or activities. I know we will watch some videos but here is my preview of some activities:

 i) Opening Speech by Greentrekkerz president.

ii)  Discussion of the future of the society by all who wanna speak up.

iii) Nomination for positions in the society (the last time we did this everybody was high, lets finalise this one) .

iv) Speech on safe climbing by Mr. Kenny Low (I think lots of new climbers need to hear this one).

v)  Sales session by the team behind CRUX climbing pants.

vi) Sales talk by Deltarovers about new stocks (expecially CAMP & Mad Rock products)

 AND FINALLY

vii) Drunken storytelling session by drunken Greentrekkerz President. Our Yang Berhormat, Proffesor Meng.

(Just kidding larrrr poksy

Do me a favour guys and gurls, invite as many potential members as you can. The only ticket for the event is contributing food ( and of course drag them to bring enough cash to pay the membership fees and become Greentrekkerz members).

Do mention if there are any muslim friends coming as we would need to make sure they have dishes that they can eat.

So ladies and gentlemen, honourable members of GreenTrekkerz, the greatest amateur climbing society in Malaysia, please give me your feedback and please confirm your participation and don’t forget, state what you wanna contribute to the menu and also possible activities & games we can entertain ourselves, during the night

warmest regards everyone,

AH LOK KOR

If I left anything out of the post, do correct me…..

More Trekking Trips

Although my legs were tired and aching from the hiking and canyoning (all the knocks and scratches), I really enjoyed myself during our trip to Kemensah Falls on Sunday. Thanks for the effort everyone.

We should do this more often and get more members involve. I have come across a website which list some interesting waterfalls we could organise trips to. The site is:

 www.waterfallsofmalaysia.com

For the next trekking activity, we can organise an over night camping trip to one of the waterfalls and we would be able to experience and appreciate the outdoors better. There is a long weekend coming up ie 31 Aug. It would be good if we can organise another trip on that weekend.

Regards

Seetho

AIR ROUTES

Greetings everyone,

 Looks like the proposal has been brought to life. I am talking about the KL ==> KRABI flight route. Yes, its starting as predicted in August. Now, we have quick and not to mention cheap access to one of the most stunning places in South East Asia. For those who have been there, you know what I am talking about. 

 To those who haven’t, keep a look out for offers and don’t hesitate.

 AH LOK

Green Trekkerz’s revolution

wow!good to know we have our own blog.god work!!!!! keep it up!

Where to Climb this Weekend?

I think the question behind everyones mind now would be where to climb this weekend. So anyone got any suggestions.

WE SHALL NOT FORGET POKSY

I think we shall not forget to invite Poksy into the blogs as he’s one of the pioneer of GreenTrekkerz if anyone remembers…

And may I know who is the moderator of GT at the moment..?

Thanks for the invitation. It is really good to s…

Thanks for the invitation.

It is really good to see that our blog for climbers taking off. Special thanks to Jennifer and Jie Hong for really taking the afford to start up the blog.

Hope you guys and girls would contribute by posting articles, write up, discussions, pictures etc on to our blog. All contributions are welcome and would be much appreciated.

So, everyone CLIMB ON.

Regards
Seetho

Credits

Green Trekkerz would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr.Low Hong Jie in making this blog possible. As for the rest of the members, please have an active participation in making this blog a happening one! Every member plays an important role in this and therefore we need each other for the community to grow. (Let’s make this BIG!)

“Happiness adds and multiplies as we divide to others”

Cheers,
Green Trekkerz