๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ก๐๐ฆ๐๐ก ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ค๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ฅโจ๐โ๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐๐๐๐ (๐๐๐๐)
Alhamdulillah!
Mission complete! This time, I had the honor (and challenge!) to become the so-called โTIKUS MAKMALโ for the brand-new, freshly pioneered route โ Mount Chamah via Skomad Trail.
The journey was no joke. From the very first step, it was clear that this trail isnโt here to make things easy. Itโs raw, steep, demanding โ 80% of it is pure uphill with no shortcuts, no discounts, no mercy. Every step tested stamina, endurance, and mental toughness. But with every climb, the reward was right in front of us: ridge lines that opened up into breathtaking views, stretches of towering pine trees whispering in the wind, and mossy forests that looked as if they were untouched for centuries โ pristine, magical, and alive. ๐ฒ๐ชพโจ
The water points along the way? Just enough to keep us going. Not too much, not too little โ perfectly balanced for survival, but only if you plan smart. This is the kind of trail that teaches you discipline, respect for nature, and the importance of every drop of water you carry.
Opkos, none of this would have been possible without the pioneers. The early team who carved the first lines of this trail, who pushed through the raw wilderness to create a route for others to follow. To the pioneer team, I owe you my respect and gratitude. ๐๐ป๐๐ป
Special thanks to Abg Poncho, Amad whose efforts and spirit made this possible, and to Amad Tantari Parang Tantari (gogo) for inviting me into this project as the โTIKUS MAKMALโ of the expedition. Itโs an honor to test the trail and be part of the first steps in what I believe will soon become one of the most exciting and talked-about routes in the Malaysian hiking community.
To everyone who joined, supported, and contributed โ thank you. Each of you carried the spirit of camaraderie and adventure that makes challenges like these meaningful. Hiking is never just about reaching the summit. Itโs about the people you walk with, the struggles you share, and the stories that live on long after the trail ends.
May this effort grow stronger, may this trail gain its rightful place in the mountain world, and may our community continue to thrive with passion, respect, and fire for the great outdoors. This is just the beginning โ the mountains still have many stories waiting to be written.
Thatโs my sharing for today. Until the next adventure โ keep climbing, keep pushing, and keep the spirit alive.
Mus
Ramai yang tanya, macam mana sebenarnya nak mula trip hiking Gunung Chamah via Skomad Trail, terutama bila dengar laluan ni baru dan agak hardcore. So kali ni saya share sikit secara jujur, based on pengalaman sendiri. Pertama sekali, persediaan mental dan fizikal memang wajib. Gunung Chamah 2171 mdpl bukan gunung santai. Majoriti laluan Skomad Trail adalah mendaki tanpa banyak โrecovery sectionโ. Kalau biasa naik gunung dayhike yang 3โ4 jam, bayangkan effort tu diganda beberapa kali. Sebelum trip, saya biasakan diri jogging, buat naik turun tangga dan latihan beban ringan untuk kuatkan kaki dan bahu. Trust me, bila korang dah tengah mendaki dalam hutan tebal berlumut, latihan ni rasa sangat membantu. Dari segi logistik, ramai group akan gerak konvoi 4x4 sampai ke trailhead. Jalan tanah ke kawasan permulaan memang perlukan kenderaan pacuan empat roda, lebih selamat dan jimat masa. Bila sampai, biasanya akan ada point seperti Kem Skomad yang jadi lokasi rehat atau kem utama sebelum teruskan pendakian ke puncak. Khemah, flysheet dan sleeping system jangan kedekut โ malam dalam hutan tebal, lembap dan sejuk, especially bila kabus turun. Tentang water point, laluan ni ada beberapa sumber air seperti sungai dan air terjun kecil, tapi korang tak boleh terlalu bergantung tanpa planning. Saya sendiri bawa hydration pack dan botol tambahan, lepas tu top up bila lalu sungai yang jelas bersih. Penapis air portable atau tablet purification memang digalakkan, terutama kalau group besar dan semua nak refill. Ingat, trail ni ajar kita hargai setiap teguk air. Dari sudut pemandangan, Gunung Chamah via Skomad Trail memang โhidden gemโ. Ada view banjaran gunung diselimuti kabus, hutan berlumut yang rasa macam dunia lain, dan suasana sunyi yang buat kita sedar betapa pristine tempat ni. Bila sampai puncak Gunung Chamah dan nampak papan tanda 2171 mdpl, perasaan lega bercampur bangga susah nak digambarkan. Lagi best kalau bawa bendera team atau komuniti outdoor macam MMOUTDOOR untuk kenangan. Untuk yang baru nak cuba Gunung Chamah trail, saya selalu cadangkan join trip yang ada guide atau gogo berpengalaman. Laluan baru macam Skomad Trail masih perlukan orientasi yang baik, dan leader yang dah pernah explore akan tahu spot sesuai untuk kem, anggaran masa, serta risiko seperti cuaca buruk atau trail licin. Stamina memang penting, tapi teamwork dan semangat saling jaga kawan lagi penting. Akhir sekali, hormat hutan dan komuniti. Bawa turun sampah sendiri, jangan rosakkan papan tanda seperti Kem Skomad atau penanda trail, dan sentiasa jaga adab dengan nature. Gunung Chamah mungkin akan jadi antara laluan paling disebut-sebut dalam dunia hiking Malaysia, tapi tugas kita adalah pastikan ia kekal indah, bersih dan selamat untuk generasi pendaki seterusnya.
