* * Gunung Ledang, 2 May 2009

The effect of ageing is apparent. When I was younger, I shouted with joy when reaching the mountain summit. Now, I shouted with joy and tears when I reached the foot hill!

This is the second time I climbed Gunung Ledang. (The first was in 1988 with three college friends.) We had a great company from members of Malaysian Nature Society, Johor branch. Everyone was courteous, friendly, selfless and humorous.

The team leader, Encik Hamid, is a seasoned trekker and well equipped with various interesting cooking utensils. He supplied ample beverages and drinks. Our three meals were provided from the park cafeteria, and we pitched tents at the camping site. Clean and well lit bathrooms were nearby, but some preferred the mountain stream to take a chilling dip.

The ascend to the summit was tiring, but it was the descent that hurt my knees, and I had to walk sideway to alleviate my aches. Looked like my two months of training and preparation was grossly insufficient. I experienced the same problem while descending Mount Kinabalu in 1996, and I was apprehensive it will recur. Hamid suggested to use knee guard in future and I will definitely look out for that.