Conquering Mount Chamah: a steep, but ultimately rewarding, price to pay

Writer R Vikneswaran says the triumph of having conquered Mount Chamah makes the entire arduous journey worthwhile. (Bernama pic)

GUA MUSANG: As the fifth-highest mountain in peninsular Malaysia, Mouth Chamah in Kelantan – located close to the Perak border – is renowned as one of the most feared, and coveted, summits among hardcore climbers.

Three days of enduring treacherous trails, braving the thick forests of the Titiwangsa Range, are enough to make some say “once is enough”.

Yet, as one stands proudly atop the peak of this “G7” mountain – 2,171m above sea level – all exhaustion melts away, replaced by awe at the panorama that liberates the soul.

This writer, along with 21 others, had been forewarned by an Orang Asli mountain guide that the journey would be extreme, and not just because it comes with the risk of water shortages.

The last drinking-water source is at Tongkat Ali Camp, reaching which requires a round trip of about 12 hours from the summit. Due to this, climbers are typically advised to control their water intake during ascent and descent.

The writer and his companions, who made their way to the peak of Mount Chanah on May 31-June 2. (Bernama pic)

Rekom Camp, or Kampung Rekom – a small indigenous settlement located on an open grassland within the wilderness 970m above sea level – serves as the main gateway for climbing Mount Chamah.

Reaching this camp itself is no easy feat: it requires a drive along a logging trail in a 4WD vehicle – a route fraught with hidden ravines obscured by underbrush – to reach Pos Simpor, which takes about three hours.

Pos Simpor is home to an Orang Asli village accessible by logging trail. From there, it is a three- to four-hour hike to Rekom Camp, depending on individual pace.

Climbers often rent a bamboo hut from the villagers for two nights at the camp, which is located near a river that serves as the primary source of raw water for the area. This arrangement also provides the villagers with an alternative source of income.

At Rekom Camp, climbers can rent bamboo huts to rest before resuming their trek to Tongkat Ali Camp. (Bernama pic)

On the second day, this writer and his companions resumed their climb at 2.30am after a light meal. The trek, which takes close to three hours, brought them along steep hills by the side of a waterfall, whereupon they reached Tongkat Ali Camp, 1,266m above sea level.

Apart from being the last spot to refill water, the camp was also a sign that the trail ahead would become even more treacherous, requiring an intense climb up very steep or vertical slopes for over two hours to reach Anak Chamah at approximately 1,595m.

Beyond this point, the trail is often compared to a “roller coaster” or “dragon’s back” by climbers, as it undulates sharply – an arduous four-hour trek to Cinderella Camp before the final push to the summit.

Still, this part of the trail offers spectacular natural beauty, such as clusters of pitcher plants and mossy forests that evoke the feeling of walking through a fantasy-film set. But despite its allure, the path is muddy and slippery, and a single misstep could leave one knee-deep in muck.

Clear blue skies as far as the eye can see from the summit of this G7 mountain. (Bernama pic)

At times, one might be tricked into thinking one has reached the summit, only to encounter so-called “false peaks” – a seemingly endless ordeal.

But arriving at the actual summit, adorned with bonsai trees, is a moment of pure triumph – one that will undoubtedly fill any successful climber with great pride and joy. If you’re lucky, you will have a fogless, unobstructed view of the breathtaking landscape before you.

Exhaustion and pain are certainly part of the journey, and some might sustain injuries along the way. There’s even the threat of wild animals.

Yet, for this writer, it was entirely worth it to conquer one of the highest peaks in the peninsula, and to claim victory over one of the G7 mountains.