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| I wish I could FLYYYYY!! :D (credited to Song) |
Although this was my 3rd attempt to Far East and Extreme, but I have to admit that I am still not steady for coming here without any experience guide because I can’t remember the entrance very well and there is many spot is quite dangerous which I afraid can't handle alone.
Anyway since this year August 2016, I joined James, Felix and Song. They are very active and reliable in hiking. I always knew that my physical strength is very low but still glad that they willing to let me join their group.
For this time, James and Felix are having other events, and my friend is busy as well. Therefore, only I and Song showed up for this hike. Our original plan is to complete Far East and Extreme as it will take overall 4-5 hours to complete the hike. End up we proceed with Tabur Extra which is just 1 hour away from Extreme and take us total of 5 hours to complete 3 peaks.
We met up at 7.30am at the entrance of Far East and Extreme, due to the recent incident just happened on previous day before our hike, a Japanese uncle who fall and injured. The East trail is closed and Far East entrance also controlled for those who have experience only to enter. On that day morning, the car park looks extremely empty compare to my 1st and 2nd time visit.
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| From the left: Tabur East, Tabur Far East, Tabur Extreme, Tabur Extra |
Since I am not so familiar with the route towards the entrance for Fruit Garden, we got slightly lost at the beginning and lead to Song almost lost his camera, but luckily he found it inside the grass before we proceed.
Finally, we reach the entrance at Fruit Garden and those dogs from the yard had totally scared me off as they seem like running towards us. I quickly grab Song and hide behind him but luckily the owner is finally there to let the dogs back to the yard. This is my first time experience so many dogs run out at the same time among my 3 times here, and also meet them twice a day as when we exit from Tabur time they are there to guard us. When Song asked how many dogs the owner had, he showed his 4 fingers and says “fourteen”, then just know that we had mistakenly heard from him and it is supposed to be “FORTY”!!! OMG! Here’s another reason for not simply visit Tabur Far East and Extreme without any permission.
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| Entrance after the yard (15 minutes from car park) |
OK back to our trip! It took about 15-20 minutes from car park to the yard. From the yard, we took about 30 minutes to reach the peak of Far East. We are so glad that the weather today is so good and there is no traffic jammed which normally if you hike during weekend, we will found queuing is compulsory for every climb you do.
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| Waiting for other hiker to come down |
We rest for 10 minutes for taking photos, this is my first time to captured the “clouds” at Tabur Far East (actually just fogs after rains), while we tried not to miss the beautiful scenes at another peak and want to move quick towards Extreme, we stopped by a big group of 20 people climbing up as it is one way only. We couldn’t help but only can wait them to pass first before we can go down.
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| Tabur Far East |
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| Another view from Tabur Far East |
20 minutes later after waiting the crowed to climb up, we finally back to this point and start our journey to Extreme. In my past experience, it was a really long journey which could make me half dead during to reach peak of Extreme.
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| Left for Far East, right for Extreme and Extra |
Another 20 minutes from the signboard, we reached this open area which most people will rest here before they proceed. But there is another group of hikers there, so we keep to the left and keep going.
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| Campsite |
About 15 minutes later, we see another sign pointing going straight for Extreme and turning left for Extra.
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| "Finish What You Started" |
We go straight and reach here, steeply rock climbing, it is not so difficult as seen in pictures, but still need to be extra careful for the loose rocks and stones. Grab any rocks or roots which you found it firm, balance your feet and not too depends on those rope as after many used it might snap in sudden.
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| Favourite Part |
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| Song looks so tiny here hahahahah |
There is junction after this steep climb, remember to turn right. Turning left will go Tabur Extra.
In less than 30 minutes from the steep rock just now, we reach peak of Tabur Extreme. Here we have some replacement for energy before we go back.
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| Bukit Tabur Extreme |
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| Twin Peak view from Bukit Tabur Extreme |
Somehow, I and Song feel like having some adventure to explore Tabur Extra, we back to the junction just now, turning left will back to our original route and we go straight to check out for unknown location. We set 15 minutes for ourselves, if let’s say we can’t find the Tabur Extra, we will make a U-turn and go back for our original route.
Along the way, we found a Chinese Couple who are resting. Song double confirm with them the way for Tabur Extra to make sure we are not getting lost. But still after not long, Song realize we are turning back as he saw the hill in front us looks like Tabur Extreme. From my GPS track we are turning back but I think still in correct way. Song quickly call James and Felix to check whether we still at the right track but unfortunately the line here is not so good which the conversation just can't get any clue.
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| The way to Extra to somehow quite challenging |
Anyway, Song believes there is track over there and I just follow after checking the road is still safe to go. We told ourselves if the route is back to Extreme, then we just go back, if is to Extra, that will be a Bonus for us. And guess what? it is just right over here after we make our decision to proceed. Here you are, Tabur Extra as known as Bukit Batu Gajah. Still can’t believe we actually made it here. It is only 1 hour or less from Tabur Extreme, another beautiful view from Bukit Tabur.
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| Bukit Batu Gajah a.k.a Tabur Extra |
For all the spot we are not stopping too long, because the weather forecast showed 11.30 am will have a thunderstorm rain on that day, we were scared that we will trapped here if is raining heavily. Because getting down while raining in Bukit Tabur is obviously No No for anyone.
With all gods’ blessing, we are safe getting out from these 3 peaks at 1.00 pm. It is extremely good weather as it is consider windy during our hike but sunny when we back to our car. I am blissful as the weather forecast is not accurate today as it only rains heavily after we finished our lunch at 2.30 pm.
Conclude the hike today, I just found Song is even more reliable than my GPS as he can remember all the routes without any devices. During our way back, I just knew that he always been hiking at Tabur West alone for sunrise and even hiking other hill and mountain alone when he is staying in overseas. This is what I wanted to do always but I do not have the coverage like him also not letting my parents to worry about me or even lost myself until I become stronger one day.
Gloves (Highly recommended)
Rain Coat (Optional but highly recommended)
Proper hiking shoes (recommend Kampung Adidas)
Extra pair of shirts and pants for changing
Parking Coordinates: 3.222343N, 101.759766E
Difficulty: Moderate but need take extra cautions
Average Completion Time: 5 hours (45 minutes to Far East, 1.5 hours to Extreme, 1 hour to Extra and 2 hours downhill)
Thank you for spending time for reading. Any questions or mistakes, let me know. xx
